MEET OUR TEAM
Each Harmony educator has outstanding experience, specialized training, and a commitment to ongoing professional development. Above all, each teacher shares our passion and love for guiding children through the wonder and discovery of early learning.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Chrissy Rupp
Owner & Business Manager
As a new mom, Chrissy felt societal pressure to incessantly “teach” her child. Thanks to her educational background in parenting support and her awareness of the many benefits of natural, play-based learning for children’s optimal development, she knew better, and founded Harmony in 2010. Ever since, Chrissy has been honored to share her passion for play-based early education and lead greater Newburyport children toward simple, beautiful, natural materials to inspire creative play, cultivate healthy social experiences, and unlock each child’s unique love for learning. Chrissy studied child development and visual art before earning her MS in Family Support and Parenting Education at Wheelock College. Before Harmony, Chrissy spent five years building a hospital’s Child Life program—supporting families through difficult medical experiences, and advocating play as children’s greatest healing modality during times of familial uncertainty and overwhelming stress. Today, she and her husband are parents of six biological and adopted children. Raising and homeschooling a large family with a complex array of backgrounds blesses Chrissy with endless learning opportunities on her own parenting journey.
Amy Pertl-Clark
Owner & Director
Amy’s leadership at Harmony exemplifies her belief that early childhood education is an essential foundation for lifelong learning and growth. Amy is deeply honored to devise dynamic, enriching, engaging, developmentally appropriate, natural- and play-based curriculum for the children of greater Newburyport. Hired as Harmony’s first teacher, Amy quickly became integral to its operations, and rose to serve as its Director and Co-Owner—roles that continually reignite her passion for the power of a collaborative, child-centered approach to early childhood education and the importance of fostering a supportive community for families. Prior to Harmony, Amy spent 14 years teaching in public schools, and upon welcoming daughter Emerson with her husband in 2006, embarked on the most inspiring, instructive, joyful journey of her life. Amy earned an MEd in Early Childhood Education from the University of Southern Mississippi and a BS in Elementary Education from the University of Akron. Her enthusiasm for children's literature shines through her blog, Emmy’s Book of the Day, where she spent many years advocating for literacy and sharing her favorite stories.
ADMINISTRATION
PRE-K & KINDERGARTEN TEAM
PRESCHOOL TEAM
Transitional Preschool TEAM
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS
If your child’s usual teacher has to miss school due to illness or another reason, you may temporarily see one of our wonderful, fully trained substitute teachers in your child’s classroom.