Mrs. Balfe has been an integral part of The Birches Academy since its inaugural year in 2012. She brings a wealth of educational expertise, holding a Master of Science in Education Leadership from Western Governors University, earned in June 2025. Her academic journey began at the University of New Hampshire, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theater Education followed by a Master of Education in Elementary Education.

Currently serving as the K-8 Dean of School, Mrs. Balfe's dedication extends beyond administrative roles; she is also passionate about history and geography and known for her proficiency in Google tools. Beyond education, Mrs. Balfe enjoys life in Nashua with her husband Matthew and their three cats. Her personal interests include beach outings, reading, baking, and everything Disney.

Jen Madden serves as the Assistant Principal at The Birches Academy, where she supports students, staff, and families while helping to foster a positive and engaging school community. Her journey at Birches began as a parent volunteer and has grown through a variety of teaching and leadership roles, giving her a deep understanding of the school, its students, and its community.

Jen holds a Master of Education, and a Master of Science in Learning Experience Design and Technology. She also completed an Instructional Leadership Certificate through the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Jen is passionate about creating meaningful, engaging learning experiences and has a particular interest in STEAM, hands-on learning, and real-world connections that encourage curiosity, creativity, and student ownership.

When she isn’t at Birches, Jen can usually be found spending time with her family and her four dogs, Thor, Finn, Apollo, and Francine, or working on her latest creative project.

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. 

Mrs. Kavalauskas joined The Birches Academy in 2021. She received her B.S. in Elementary Education with a concentration in Special Education from Kansas State University. Her previous classroom experience has been mainly in special education settings at elementary, middle and high school levels. She is a New Hampshire native, but lived in Kansas for almost 20 years, moved to the west coast after college and finally made her way “home” again in 2004. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, playing cards, going to camp and listening to live music whenever she gets the chance.

Mrs. Tarr joined The Birches Academy in March 2026 in a temporary position and quickly found a place she truly loved. She was thrilled to return for the 2026–2027 school year as the full time Student Culture Coordinator. She feels fortunate to be part of The Birches Academy community and strongly believes in the school’s commitment to supporting the whole child, building meaningful relationships, and creating a positive school culture.

Mrs. Tarr earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Curry College and later returned to school to earn her Master’s Degree in Education with a concentration in School Counseling from Rivier University. Before beginning her career in education, Mrs. Tarr was fortunate to spend several years at home raising her three daughters. She then went on to spend 16 years working with students at the high school level in a variety of student support and educational roles.

Mrs. Tarr lives in Atkinson, New Hampshire with her husband, whom she met during her freshman year at Curry College in a communications class. They have been married for 32 years and have three daughters, two son-in-laws, and three grandsons. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time and making memories with her family.

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 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. 

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.

Joined The Birches Academy in 2025.

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 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 acute/critical care as 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 lives in Londonderry with her daughter, husband, and whatever pit bull(s) she has rescued. Jennifer and her family have traveled extensively for recreation. They also enjoy skiing, swimming, and whatever adventures come their way.

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.

Mrs. Kelloway joined The Birches Academy in 2021 as a volunteer and school photographer. Two years later, she became a Substitute Teaching Assistant and, most recently, has also become an Administrative Assistant. Prior to joining the Birches team, she held positions within the consumer goods and services industries. She has also held roles working with the youth in church and outdoor settings.

She has a BS in Marketing Management with a minor in Professional Studies from Syracuse University. She also went to Boston College where she earned an MBA in Marketing. In addition, while at Boston College, she completed the Leadership for Change program and holds a certificate in Leadership and Organizational Change.

Mrs. Kelloway is a Ski Racing Coach at Bretton Woods, training with both the Ski Team and Trailblazers program. She is also a dance mom who loves cooking, reading, the outdoors and camping with her family.

Mrs. McCartney joined The Birches Academy in the 2025 school year as an Administrative Assistant. She is a Massachusetts native and has lived in Plaistow for the last 11 years. Her three daughters also attend The Birches, making the school an especially meaningful part of their family’s day-to-day life. Prior to joining The Birches team, she built a career as a small business owner and currently runs a boutique travel agency. She thrives in “organized chaos” and enjoys creating systems that help things run smoothly behind the scenes. Outside of school, Mrs. McCartney loves traveling, all things Disney and acting as the full-time manager of her daughters’ dance schedules.