Samantha “Sam” Valente-Phillips, is Assistant to the Director and Treasurer as well as a teacher in our Parparim (preschool) Class. Sam grew up in South Carolina, but moved to Concord during her junior year of high school. Sam attended Brandeis University where she worked at the Lemberg Children’s Center. After college she was offered a job as a youth minister in the church she attended. Sam enjoyed what she refers to as a “fun and challenging job” working with pre-teen and teenagers and their families. She then proceeded to work for a non-profit organization that trained and provided services to families interested in fostering and/or adopting children who were currently in the care of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. It was there that Sam trained families, helped place children in their care, and then gave these families support through weekly visits. Through a life twist, Sam briefly work as a custodial banker before owning her own business. Sadly, she had to close the business and made the decision to stay at home with her children. After a few years of active participation as a parent of the JCC Early Learning Center in Acton, Sam was offered a teaching position with the JCC and remained on the job as it transitioned to the CBE ELC. In her time at CBE, she has earned her Infant/Toddler Lead Teacher, Preschool Lead Teacher, and Director 1 certifications. Sam is married with 2 children and 4 older step-daughters. She lives with her wife and two children in Acton.