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Meet The Leadership

Maria Ahrens

Maria Ahrens

Owner & Visionary

Maria Ahrens has been in the early childhood field since she was old enough to work. At 14, she began working in the childcare program at a ski resort. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education, holds an Early Childhood Certificate and has a master’s degree in Marriage & Family Therapy.

She became a director of a childcare center in 2012 and in 2020 followed her dream to open up Paper Planes. Maria also does birth work, as a certified doula and birth educator. She is passionate about all things birth & beyond.

The mission and vision for Paper Planes was always about warmth and safety. Maria believes parents deserve to drop their babies off at a place they absolutely love. Responsive caregiving is the heart of all that we do. Children deserve caregivers and teachers who prioritize the well-being of their little hearts and minds. At Paper Planes, we put a huge emphasis on social-emotional literacy. We want parents, children and staff to feel warm and welcome every single day. It is vital to a child’s well-being that they feel safe and to feel safe, you must feel loved. Lean on us while you go back to work or simply integrate your child into a social setting because that’s important to you.

Miss Leah

Co-Director

Miss Leah has been part of our early learning center family for four years, beginning her journey as an assistant teacher before becoming a lead teacher and then assistant director. Today, she is proud to serve as Co-Director, supporting children, families, and staff each day. Leah is currently completing her bachelor’s degree, which she will finish in June, and she is passionate about providing quality child care and helping every child grow and thrive.
Leah believes deeply in the power of play-based learning, understanding that children learn best through hands-on exploration and meaningful play experiences. She recognizes that the first five years of life are the most crucial for development and is dedicated to creating a nurturing environment where children can d iscover, grow, and succeed.

Lidia Dormier

Center Director

Ms. Lidia Dormier has over twenty years of experience in education, teaching from early childhood through eighth grade in the New York City B.O.E. and serving as an adjunct professor at both Pace University and St. Joseph’s College. She holds a B.A. in Speech Communication with a minor in Marketing and an M.S.Ed from Pace University.

Lidia has served as a lead teacher, education director, and program/operations director, implementing Reggio Emilia strategies, Creative Curriculum, and Wilson Fundations while supporting staff growth and program excellence.

She is especially proud of helping to raise QUALITYstarsNY ratings from three to four stars through collaboration and dedication. A longtime Smithtown resident, she enjoys life with her husband, two sons, and their pittie dog, Rover. Lidia begins each day with gratitude and strives to inspire children and educators alike with a philosophy rooted in love, respect, and joy for learning.

Christine Svihovec

Christine Svihovec

Enrollment Specialist
& Family Support 

My name is Christine, and I have been an early childhood educator for 24 years. For the past 5 years, I’ve had the joy of being part of the Paper Planes family, where I’ve been fortunate to connect with so many wonderful children and families in our community.

As a wife and mom of three, I understand firsthand the trust it takes to leave your child in someone else’s care. That’s why I strive each day to provide a safe, loving, and nurturing environment where every child can feel at home.

It brings me so much happiness to help families feel confident knowing their little ones are in the best hands. At Paper Planes, we truly want what’s best for every child who walks through our doors, and I am grateful to play a part in their early learning journey.

Abi Mejia

Operational Manager

Hi! My name is Abi, and I’m the Operational Manager here at Paper Planes. I began my journey with this amazing team as an Assistant Teacher, worked my way up to Lead Teacher, and am now proud to be part of the administrative team. While my primary role is behind the scenes supporting the daily operations of our center, I also love spending time in the classrooms and connecting with the children whenever I can.
While I now focus on the day-to-day operations that help keep our center running smoothly, I still enjoy every opportunity to step into the classrooms and connect with the children. Supporting both our staff and families is something I’m truly passionate about, and I feel so grateful to be part of a team that puts children first every day.
Miss Sheri

Miss Sheri

Mr. Wagens

Mr. Wagens

Miss Leah

Miss Leah

Miss Kelcie

Miss Kelcie

Miss Alexx

Miss Alexx

Miss Sammi

Miss Sammi

Miss Alexa

Miss Alexa

Miss Erin

Miss Erin

Miss Erika

Miss Erika

Miss Alex

Miss Alex

Miss Diamond

Miss Diamond

Mr. Asael

Mr. Asael

Miss Jess

Miss Jenna

Miss Dawn

Miss Honey

Miss Ashley

Miss Lisa