Meet Our Parent Educators
Emily Spence, Program Manager
Emily started in the PAT program as a mother of twins and became a parent educator in 1998. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Masters in Special Education. Emily is co-founder of Bristol Warren Thrive by Five and Beyond, a network of professionals working with children and families. She is a member of the Friends Board of Directors for the Rogers Free Library, and serves on the Board of the RI Association for Infant Mental Health.
Sarah Bullard, Parent Educator
Sarah is mother to four school-aged children and has been a Parent Educator since 2013. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Government, and a Graduate Diploma of International Relations, as well as 4 years experience as a preschool teacher. Sarah is a member of the Boards of Directors for the Bristol Warren Education Foundation and Bristol Theatre Company.
Kathleen Boylan, Parent Educator
Kathleen joined the PAT program in 2016 with 28 years of experience in the fields of human services and early childhood education and development. She has an undergraduate degree in Human Services and Counseling and a Masters in Education. Kathleen has three children.
Mary-Ellen (Mel) Bynum, Parent Educator
Mel joined the PAT program in 2019 as a Parent Educator. She has a degree in Human Services and Early Childhood Education. Mel has been an educator for twenty-eight years. In addition to being the mother of two sons and a rescued lab, Mel is also an artist. She is the instructor of a children's multimedium art enrichment after school program. Mel is the founder and chairperson of the Rhode Island Chapter of Pops 4 Patients, a local charity that donates toys to children in the hospital or in treatment.
