At Learning By The Lakes Academy, we understand the importance of having qualified, knowledgeable, and passionate educators guiding the next generation. Our team is dedicated to creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where children feel supported, valued, and excited to learn each day.
We are proud to introduce the Anchors of Learning By The Lakes Academy—the dedicated team members who help provide the strength, consistency, and heart behind our academy. Through their commitment to Learning, Passionate, Creativity, Partnership, and Friendship, our Anchors work together to create meaningful experiences, build strong relationships with families, and ensure every child feels a true sense of belonging.
These are the people who help bring the mission and values of Learning By The Lakes Academy to life each and every day.
Meet the Anchors of Learning By The Lakes Academy.
Katie Mayo
President & Executive Director
My journey has been shaped by many roles—daughter, sister, aunt, friend, “Ms. Katie” to many, wife of more than 25 years to my husband, Robert—but my most important role is being a mom to my three children.
With more than 25 years of experience in Early Childhood Education in the Lakes Region, I have been fortunate to build my life around my two greatest dreams: being a mother and owning and operating a preschool. Learning By The Lakes Academy is the realization of that dream.
I created Learning By The Lakes Academy because I wanted something different—a preschool, not simply a place where children spend their day. I wanted children to be excited to walk through our doors, teachers to be passionate about what they do, and families to feel like true partners in their child’s education. Our mission reflects exactly that: Make learning creative, engaging, and exciting for all children.
I believe every child is capable, independent, curious, and full of potential. There is nothing better than watching a child accomplish something they have worked hard for and seeing the pride on their face when they realize, “I did it!” I want our children to learn through play, creativity, exploration, friendships, problem-solving, and experiences that build confidence and independence.
My favorite place to be is with our children. You’ll often find a child in my office drawing, playing, telling me a very important story, or spending a little extra time with me after a hard drop-off. I want every child to know that Ms. Katie is someone they can come to and that they are known, loved, safe, and valued here.
I believe strongly in communication, integrity, accountability, and teamwork, and I never take for granted the trust families place in us each day. Our core values of Learning, Passionate, Creativity, Partnership, and Friendship are at the heart of the academy we have built.
Learning By The Lakes Academy is more than a preschool to me. It is a dream I spent years working toward, a community I am incredibly proud of, and a place where I hope every child discovers just how capable they truly are.
Robert Mayo III
Vice President
Emily Taggett
Assistant Director of Preschool Operations / Media
Jennifer Aurigemma
Assistant Director of Early Learning & Academy Connections /
Lead Cow Teacher
Robert is the Vice President of Learning By The Lakes Academy, my husband of more than 25 years, and the dad to our three children. While you may not always see him in the classrooms, Robert is very much a part of what makes Learning By The Lakes Academy work.
Robert earned his degree in Marine Technology and spent more than 20 years working on boats at a local marina before retiring from the marine industry and joining me at the Academy. He brought with him years of hands-on experience, an incredible ability to problem-solve, and, thankfully for me, the ability to build or fix just about anything.
Robert is the person behind so many of the projects and spaces you see throughout the Academy. He is usually the one I go to with an idea that starts with, “So, I was thinking…” and somehow, he figures out how to make it happen. From building and maintenance to renovations, events, and the never-ending list of things I dream up, Robert is always there helping bring my vision for the Academy to life.
More than anything, Robert is an incredibly present and involved dad. Being there for our children has always been important to him, and he rarely misses the things that matter to them. Much of his time outside of the Academy is spent chauffeuring our three kids to practices, activities, games, and wherever else they need to be. When he does find a little downtime, you can usually find Robert meticulously maintaining our yard, woodworking, working on a project around the house, or—more realistically—creating another new space I have dreamed up.
Robert brings a completely different set of strengths to Learning By The Lakes Academy than I do, and I think that is exactly why we work so well together. He is steady, practical, hardworking, and usually the voice of reason when my ideas get a little bigger than originally planned. After more than 25 years together, we make a pretty great team—and I couldn’t imagine doing life, raising our family, or running Learning By The Lakes Academy without him.
Jordan Holmburg
Director of Academy Culture /
Lead Loon Teacher
Jordan began her journey at Learning By The Lakes Academy as a mom of two, stepping into the classroom as an Assistant Teacher. Through her dedication, natural connection with children, and commitment to the academy, she continued to grow—advancing to a Lead Teacher and now serving as our Director of Academy Culture, while also leading our Three-Year-Old Loon Classroom.
Today, Jordan is a dedicated wife and proud mother of four children. She welcomed two of her babies while working alongside Katie, making her journey at Learning By The Lakes Academy both personal and deeply rooted in our school community.
With experience working across multiple age groups, Jordan brings a strong understanding of early childhood development to her classroom and leadership role. She has earned her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and continues to grow professionally as she works toward her degree in Early Childhood Education, with plans to graduate in Spring 2027.
In the Loon Classroom, Jordan creates a calm, welcoming environment where children feel safe, comfortable, and free to be themselves. Her classroom flows naturally with the rhythm of the children, giving them opportunities to explore, play, create, and learn in ways that feel both relaxed and meaningful.
Jordan’s teaching style is very much a reflection of who she is—nurturing, easygoing, patient, and supportive. She brings a comforting, mom-like presence to her classroom while gently encouraging children to build confidence and independence at their own pace. Her calm nature helps children feel secure enough to try new things, develop friendships, and discover just how much they are capable of.
Jordan believes every child is unique and learns in their own way. Her days are filled with creativity, hands-on experiences, movement, exploration, and plenty of opportunities to simply enjoy being three—sometimes with a spontaneous dance party mixed in! She has a wonderful way of balancing fun and learning so that both feel natural and joyful.
Having grown within Learning By The Lakes Academy as both a parent and an educator, Jordan understands how important trust, communication, and strong partnerships with families truly are. She brings both perspectives into everything she does.
Jordan’s calm nature, genuine love for children, and ability to create a happy, comfortable environment—along with her dedication to the culture of our academy—make her a truly special part of the Learning By The Lakes Academy family.
Emily is a dedicated wife and loving mother to her almost 5-year-old son. With more than 10 years of experience in Early Childhood Education—and seven of those years spent working alongside Katie—Emily brings experience, passion, consistency, and a strong attention to detail to Learning By The Lakes Academy.
Born and raised in the Lakes Region, Emily has a deep connection to the community we serve. Outside of the academy, you’ll often find her exploring the area with her son, adventuring through all the places he loves, making memories, and enjoying the world through his eyes.
Emily has grown tremendously throughout her years working alongside Katie. She began in the classroom and worked her way into leadership, taking on greater responsibilities as her experience and confidence grew. Throughout that journey, Pre-K has always held a special place in Emily’s heart. She spent years helping children prepare for that exciting next step into kindergarten and loved creating a classroom where academics, creativity, independence, and fun could all come together.
Although Emily has now stepped out of the classroom, her passion for Pre-K and her years of hands-on teaching experience continue to influence the way she leads. She understands what teachers need to be successful, what families value, and how much thought and preparation go into creating meaningful early learning experiences.
As our Assistant Director of Operations & Media, Emily plays an important role in keeping the many moving pieces of Learning By The Lakes Academy organized and connected. Known for being hardworking, organized, and detail-oriented, she works behind the scenes to help ensure the academy runs smoothly while supporting our staff, children, and families.
Emily also plays an integral role in planning and executing our school-wide events. From the early planning stages to all of the little details that bring an event together, she helps create experiences that build Partnership and Friendship and make our families feel like they are part of something more than just a preschool.
As our Social Media Manager, Emily takes the moments captured throughout the academy and turns them into meaningful, engaging content that showcases the Learning, Creativity, Friendship, and fun happening within our walls each day. She brings an energetic spirit to our social media—especially TikTok—where she loves jumping into the latest trends and convincing the rest of the team to join in!
Emily believes every child deserves a safe, nurturing, and welcoming environment where they can learn, grow, and thrive. She values strong partnerships with families and understands the importance of open communication, consistency, and creating an academy where children and their families feel known and connected.
Emily wears her heart on her sleeve and forms genuine connections with the children, families, and staff throughout our academy. Whether she is organizing an event, supporting the daily operations of the school, capturing a special moment, or convincing everyone to participate in the latest TikTok trend,
Emily brings dedication, creativity, and heart to everything she does.
Her journey from the classroom into leadership, her continued passion for Pre-K, and her commitment to the families and team she serves make Emily an important part of what keeps Learning By The Lakes Academy moving, growing, and connected.
Jennifer is a devoted wife and proud mother of four children, ranging in age from 17 to 3 years old. With more than 12 years of experience in Early Childhood Education—and nearly six of those years spent working alongside Katie—Jennifer brings an incredible amount of passion, heart, and experience to Learning By The Lakes Academy.
Originally from Massachusetts, Jennifer moved to the Lakes Region eight years ago and quickly made it home. Before beginning her career in early childhood education, Jennifer worked in the culinary industry, where she successfully ran her own kitchen. That experience helped shape the strong leadership, organization, creativity, and ability to manage a busy environment that she brings to the academy today.
Jennifer’s love for children is evident in every interaction. Her face genuinely lights up when she sees the children throughout the building, whether they are in her classroom or not. She takes great pride in building meaningful relationships with children and their families and truly embodies our core value of Partnership—helping families feel known, supported, and connected to our academy.
Jennifer wears many hats at Learning By The Lakes Academy. As our Assistant Director of Early Learning & Academy Connections, Lead Teacher of our Preschool Cow Classroom, and Tour Specialist, she plays an important role in both the classroom and the overall experience of our families. She is often one of the first faces a new family meets and works hard to make sure they feel welcomed and comfortable from the very beginning.
In the classroom, Jennifer’s passion for Learning and Creativity shines. She creates engaging, thoughtful environments where children are encouraged to grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Jennifer believes deeply in empowering children and building their confidence. When a child says, “I can’t,” Jennifer is usually right there reminding them, “Yes, you can.”
Jennifer is also a strong advocate for children. She understands that every child is different and is always looking for ways to support their individual needs. She isn't afraid to speak up for a child who may not yet have the words to speak for themselves, and she works closely with families to help children receive the support they need to grow and succeed.
Outside of the academy, Jennifer loves spending time with her family and adding a little creativity and fun to everyday life—especially when it comes to finding the perfect outfits for “Duck,” her porch goose, who has developed quite the wardrobe!
Jennifer’s warmth, leadership, genuine love for children, and dedication to building strong relationships make her an invaluable part of Learning By The Lakes Academy and a trusted partner to the families we serve.
Olivia McCarthy
Administrative Assistant
Olivia is a devoted wife and mother to two children, along with two dogs, two cats, and many chickens. She is also an aunt and a friend to many, always showing up for others with a caring and supportive heart. Outside of work, Olivia serves as the Vice President and Cheer Coordinator for Lakes Region Pop Warner, where she brings her leadership, organization, and enthusiasm to support youth in her community.
Originally from the sunshine state, Olivia has called New Hampshire home for the past 10 years. In her free time, you can find her relaxing with a good book and a glass of wine, enjoying a quiet moment to recharge.
With over 8 years of experience in the Early Childhood field, Olivia has worked in many roles—including in the classroom and at the front desk—giving her a well-rounded understanding of how a childcare program operates. She also has experience supporting children with challenging behaviors, bringing patience, compassion, and insight to her work.
In her role as Administrative Assistant, Olivia works primarily behind the scenes and remotely to help keep Learning By The Lakes Academy running smoothly. From managing billing and handling orders to supporting day-to-day operations, she plays a vital role in keeping everything organized and on track. Her strong work ethic and attention to detail ensure that both staff and families are supported in meaningful ways.
Olivia has a natural gift for organization and is always finding ways to simplify, declutter, and improve systems. Whether she’s streamlining processes or supporting staff from afar, she brings consistency and reliability to our team.
Known for her positive attitude and encouraging spirit, Olivia supports both staff and families in ways that often happen behind the scenes but are felt every day. Her work helps create a smooth, organized, and supportive environment for our entire school community.
Olivia’s dedication, teamwork, and commitment to supporting others make her an essential part of Learning By The Lakes Academy.
