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, Student Services COORDINATOR
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 works in the Business Office administering a myriad of duties, including Human Resources and Payroll. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and previous experience working in nonprofits and Human Resources. Mrs. Cole resides in Windham with her husband, two children, and two dogs. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with her family, reading, and boating on the lake.
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, 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.