OUR TEAM

We're a growing team of passionate educators and leaders. We wear many hats and are dedicated to helping teachers, parents and children thrive.

DR. ANNE TOWNSEND

President & Chief Academic Officer

PhD.; 25+ yrs, Social-emotional scientist
Faculty, Loyola University Graduate School

I’m a social-emotional scientist and for more than 2 decades I’ve been researching how children of all ages develop the social-emotional skills they need to be successful in school and in life. I founded Mariposa with a mission to change the lives of children through our proprietary method. Mariposa is an official partner with Loyola University where I have developed and taught a graduate level course on promoting social-emotional learning as well as an advanced course specifically focused on the role of stress and trauma in a child’s ability to learn, form relationships and behave appropriately.

Dr. Anne Townsend

President & Chief Academic Officer

PhD.; 25+ yrs, Social-emotional scientist
Faculty, Loyola University Graduate School

I’m a social-emotional scientist and for more than 2 decades I’ve been researching how children of all ages develop the social-emotional skills they need to be successful in school and in life. I founded Mariposa with a mission to change the lives of children through our proprietary method. Mariposa is an official partner with Loyola University where I have developed and taught a graduate level course on promoting social-emotional learning as well as an advanced course specifically focused on the role of stress and trauma in a child’s ability to learn, form relationships and behave appropriately.

JENNY BARRETT

Program Director & Lead Instructor

M.ED; 30 yr, seasoned educator and school administrator
Leader, National SEED Project

As an early childhood educator for 30 years, a special educator, an administrator and parent, I have found this method the single most impactful in all of the training I have had. I was first able to bring Mariposa into a school community as an administrator. Seeing the culture that we have been able to create at one Baltimore City preschool has been transformational. Through Mariposa, I am committed to bringing this approach to as many educators and parents as possible, because I see the impact of it every day. And through facilitator training with The National SEED project, (Seeking Equity and Educational Diversity) I've seen the overlap and importance of this work, as well as how the Mariposa Method supports culturally responsive teaching.

Jenny Barrett

Program Director & Lead Instructor

M.ED; 30 yr, seasoned educator and school administrator
Leader, National SEED Project

As an early childhood educator for 30 years, a special educator, an administrator and parent, I have found this method the single most impactful in all of the training I have had. I was first able to bring this into a school community as an administrator. Seeing the culture that we have been able to create at one Baltimore city preschool, has been transformational. And through Mariposa,I am committed to bringing this approach to as many educators and parents as possible. Because I see the impact of it. And through facilitator training with The National SEED project, (Seeking Equity and Educational diversity,) I've seen the overlap and importance of this work , as well as how the Mariposa method supports culturally responsive teaching.

JEANNE STAFFORD

Online Administrator

10+ yr preschool teacher 

My experience as a parent, a lead preschool teacher, and home engagement educator, particularly during the challenging COVID-19 period, instilled in me a deep belief in the power of the Mariposa Method. I am both a fine art nature photographer and early child educator. These roles overlap in surprising ways as I cultivate and defend awe, wonder and joy. The Mariposa Method has given me the skills to create the home and classroom culture that I envisioned and I want to share that with others.  Prior to teaching, I spent five years on the staff of the Johns Hopkins University Entrepreneurial Library Program, engaged in library services and assistance for remote learners and in website development, which I now leverage to administer Mariposa courses. 

JEANNE STAFFORD

Online Administrator

10+ yr preschool teacher and fine artist/photographer

My experience as a preschool classroom teaching lead, parent, and home engagement educator, particularly during the challenging COVID-19 period, instilled in me a deep belief in the power of the Mariposa Method. I am both a fine art nature photographer and early child educator. These roles overlap in surprising ways as I cultivate, and defend, awe, wonder and joy. Prior to teaching, I spent five years on the staff of the Johns Hopkins University Interlibrary system, engaged in website development and student communication, which I now leverage to administer Mariposa courses. 

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