Administrative Staff
Chris Smith, Dean of School
Chris Smith is a native of Massachusetts and graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology/Philosophy. He also holds master’s degrees in Secondary Teacher Education, Educational Leadership, and Teaching with Technology. He previously worked as a principal in Vermont and New Hampshire. Mr. Smith is excited about technology and actively works with the teachers to help increase technology integration at The Birches Academy. Before returning to the East Coast in 2014, Mr. Smith lived in Arizona for 14 years and worked at a residential treatment center for ten years before working as a high school English teacher. Mr. Smith lives with his 19-year-old son, and when he is not working on school projects or being a dad, he likes to go indoor rock climbing and solve the Rubik’s cube.
Jessica Wachsman, Dean of Operations
Jessica Wachsman is a Windham, New Hampshire native and attended St. Anselm College, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. After working ten years in Finance for Putnam Investments, she took time off to raise her children. She is a Founder at Mill Falls Charter School in Manchester and The Birches Academy. She has worked at The Birches Academy as the Business Manager since its inception. In this role, she also works with students and staff on technology and all the behind-the-scenes tasks that make The Birches Academy run day to day. She and her husband have three children and live in Salem, NH. In their free time, she loves to travel with her family and take the family dog on long walks.
Kayla DiOrio, Assistant Principal
Kayla DiOrio joined The Birches Academy in 2021. Since 2007, she has been a special education teacher, administration, and Out of District Coordinator in school districts in southern New Hampshire. Mrs. DiOrio received her Bachelor of Social Sciences from Keene State College and her Masters in Emotional & Behavioral Disorders from Rivier University. She strives for open communication and strong collaboration to effectively work with teachers, students, and their families to achieve positive outcomes. She is passionate about understanding human behavior and incorporates that daily into her approach. Mrs. DiOrio lives with her husband, daughter, and two dogs in Londonderry. She enjoys reading, live music, and traveling.
Deborah LeBlanc, Administrative Assistant
Mrs. LeBlanc has been at The Birches Academy since its opening year in 2012. She has worked in a number of small companies being the all-important “jack of all trades” before coming to the school. She has done a little bit of everything from shipping and receiving to inside and outside sales and marketing to be a project manager in a small computer company. She loves children so she volunteered at the Salem Athletic Club in both the nursery and revolution room teaching and playing developmental games and crafts. Mrs. LeBlanc has a BA in Liberal Studies with a minor in Early Childhood development.
Michelle Cole, Human Resources & Project Manager
Mrs. Cole joined the Birches Academy in 2016 when he two children were in Kindergarten and third grade after being an active volunteer in the school. She has a Bachelors degree in Psychology and a Certificate in Human Resources with a background in social work and HR. Mrs Cole manages all of the Human Resources for the school and also does a variety of projects in the business office. Mrs. Cole resides in Windham with her husband, two teenage children and three spoiled and much loved dogs. In her free time she enjoys reading, exercise and traveling.
Aimye Haroutunian, Donor Relations & Event Director
Mrs. Haroutunian has been an active volunteer and Foundation Board member at The Birches Academy since its founding in 2012. In January 2016, she joined the staff as the Donor Relations & Events Director. She has a BA in marketing from Endicott College in Beverly, MA, where she started down the path of fundraising as the treasurer of the Business Club. Her previous experience includes event planning and donation coordinator for the Christina Capozzi Foundation and the Merrimack Valley Montessori School. Mrs. Haroutunian has a passion for event planning and engaging volunteers. She continues to volunteer her time supporting the New England Elite Track Club. She resides in Salem, NH, with her husband, son, and pampered pooch Bleu.
Jennifer Keefe, School Nurse
Jennifer was an emergency veterinary nurse for 15 years before getting her Master’s Degree in Nursing from UNH in 2013 and is MSN/RN. The majority of her nursing experience is in critical care. She was an ICU nurse before coming to the Birches in 2023 in order to spend more time with her family. She is a native of Methuen, has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, and an Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology from North Shore Community College. She is currently an adjunct professor at Manchester Community College She lives in Londonderry with her daughter, husband, and whatever older pit bull(s) she has rescued. She currently has a nine-year-old named Phil. For recreation, Jennifer and her family have traveled extensively. They also enjoy skiing, swimming, and whatever adventures come their way.
Jennifer Carpine, Business Office Assistant
Mrs. Carpine joined The Birches Academy Business Office in 2023. She has twins that joined the school in 2020. Since then she has been around the school helping where is needed. She has worked 20 plus years of account management and billing for Direct Mail Companies. Jen resides in Atkinson, NH with her husband, 3 daughters, 2 dogs and cat and cannot forget Leopard Gecko named Toothless. Mrs. Carpine enjoys spending time with her daughters and being part of the Birches Family.
Justine Gregones, Student Services Coordinator
Justine Gregones joined The Birches Academy in 2024. Since 2007, she has been an early childhood teacher, general education teacher, registered behavior technician and a special education teacher in southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. Mrs. Gregones received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Bay Path University. She feels that open communication and a community-centered environment allow for the most effective work to take place between teachers, students and families. Her special education background is centered on student behavior and motivation, helping to achieve positive outcomes and academic progress. Mrs. Gregones lives in Nashua with her husband and son. In her free time she enjoys getting lost in a good book, being her family's "personal chef", watching her son in karate class or at Scouts and spending time with family.
Liz Bacon, Part Time Administrative Assistant/Receptionist
Mrs. Bacon, a native of Andover, MA, is delighted to be part of the Birches Academy family. Now residing in Salem, NH, Liz cherishes spending time with her family, especially her grandson, Carter. With over 40 years of experience as an administrative assistant, she brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to her role. Liz is excited to contribute to our award-winning school community and support our mission of fostering a positive and enriching environment for all students.
Tobe Crocker, 504 Coordinator
Mrs. Crocker has been at The Birches Academy since its opening year in 2012. She spent 8 years as a Special Educator and then reduced her schedule to focus only as 504 Coordinator. Previously she had been a Special Educator in Windham for over 25 years. She received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Fitchburg State University, MA and a Masters in Education from Plymouth State University, NH. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family.