Meet Our Staff
Jean Lorence
Owner/Director/Lead Teacher
Jean began her teaching career as a Second Grade teacher in Pittsburgh PA. She moved to Boston and worked as a Reading Specialist (K-5) in the Winchester Public Schools. Then she spent several years at home with her four children (all of whom are alumni of GCNS/The Wonder Garden). Jean was excited to work with children again and eagerly joined the staff of The Wonder Garden (formerly known as Grace Christian Nursery School) as an Administrator and Teacher before taking on the role of Owner/Director. Jean is passionate about early childhood and finds great joy in working at The Wonder Garden! She is Director 1/11 and Lead Teacher certified through the EEC and holds a BA in Elementary Education and an MEd as a Consulting Teacher of Reading both from Boston College.
Sarah Ledbury
Admin/Lead Teacher: 4 year old Class and Stay and Play
Sarah joined the Wonder Garden (formerly Grace Christian Nursery School) as a teacher in 2013. She teaches the Adventurer Class and is the School Administrator. Sarah lives in Needham with her husband Steve and three children; Tom, Megan, and Matthew. She obtained her B.S. in Dietetics from the University of Vermont and Masters in Nutrition Education from Framingham State College. After taking time to stay home with her young children, Sarah chose to make the switch to Early Childhood Education. She enjoys gardening, skiing, spending time with family, and vacationing in Maine. Sarah is EEC Preschool Teacher certified.
Courtney Rowe
Lead Teacher: 3 Year Old Class and Stay and Play
Courtney has worked at Wonder Garden Preschool (formerly Grace Christian Nursery School) since 2002. Over her years at the school, she has worked as a classroom teacher for every age group, has been in charge of running school-wide music classes, and has put together music performances for holiday and family events. Courtney has a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Music and has completed graduate coursework in Early Childhood Education. She worked for three summers as the Music Specialist for children ages 2.9-5 years at Beaver Country Day School and taught private music lessons throughout Needham for over 15 years. Outside of work, Courtney enjoys choral singing, playing the flute, running, and spending time with her husband and two daughters. Courtney is EEC Lead Preschool Teacher certified.
Abigail Hays
Lead Teacher: 2.9 year old class, 4 year old class and Stay and Play
Abigail joined The Wonder Garden (formerly Grace Christian Nursery School) in 2021. After staying home with her three children (two of whom are WG/GCNS alumni), Abigail stepped back into the field of education, working at Mitchell Elementary School as a Kindergarten assistant before making the switch to the early childhood setting. Abigail is EEC Preschool Teacher certified, and earned a BA in anthropology and psychology at the University of New Hampshire and a EdM in higher education from Harvard University. She is involved in various volunteer roles within the Needham Public Schools community when she isn’t teaching at The Wonder Garden. Abigail lives in Needham with her husband, Morgan, and their children, Helen, Ian, and Henry.