Team
Samantha Box
Head of Operations
Samantha (Sam) joined the Brown Play School in July 2026 following her graduation from the Global Arts and Cultures MA program at the Rhode Island School of Design, a space where she studied interdisciplinary creative production and how it relates to building culture and community. Prior to RISD, Sam studied Creative Writing at the University of Maine at Farmington.
With a variety of teaching experience, ranging from elementary educational technician roles with Portland Public Schools to leading trainings at the UMF Digital Humanities Lab, Sam believes that hands-on, creative educational programming is the best way to foster both personal development and community learning. Most recently, Sam supported the development team at Boston's Art Resource Collaborative for Kids, focused on multi-year fiscal planning and expanding local partnerships.
In her free time, Sam enjoys writing and academic media studies. She also enjoys spending time outside: exploring, looking at insects, and advocating for environmental humanities and sustainable agriculture.
Beth Garrison-Kemp
Head of Education
Beth joined Brown Play School in August 2025. She recently relocated to Massachusetts from Colorado, where she taught and directed in play-based early childhood settings. Over time, her teaching philosophy has grown to closely reflect Reggio Emilia principles, particularly that children are capable learners who express their ideas in many ways. She is excited to learn alongside the children at Brown Play School and help co-create a curriculum that emerges from their interests and inquiries.
Beth's interest in child development is rooted in her undergraduate research, where she explored how early trauma affects young children's cognitive development. That work continues to inspire her commitment to responsive, relationship-centered teaching.
Outside of school, Beth enjoys walks at the beach, completing jigsaw puzzles, and listening to early childhood podcasts. She also loves spending time with her husband, Bill, and her favorite days are the ones when her daughters are visiting from out of state. Beth holds a BA in Psychology from The College of Wooster and completed early childhood coursework at Pikes Peak State College.
Megan Heinze
Art Teacher
Megan Heinze has been creating for as long as she can remember. She studied at Eugene Lang College and Parsons School of Design, and later found a deep connection to the Reggio Emilia philosophy while volunteering in her oldest child’s Reggio-inspired kindergarten classroom. She has been part of the Brown Play School community since 2015.
In the Studio, Megan guides children as they explore the many languages of expression—through art materials, movement, conversation, and collaboration. Using a wide range of media, from traditional art supplies to natural and recycled materials, children experiment, revisit ideas, and learn to use tools with care and intention.
For Megan, one of the greatest joys of her work is witnessing children’s personalities unfurl. She sees the Studio as a space where creativity, confidence, and a love of learning grow side by side.
Outside of school, Megan enjoys exploring new places with her family, visiting museums and bookstores, taking photographs, and reading and creating whenever she can.
Board of Directors
Austin Petrie, President
Rumford, RI
Mike Burns, Vice President
Seekonk, MA
Justin Maistrow, Treasurer
Barrington, RI
Rachel Arruda, Secretary
Rumford, RI
Kelly McDonald
Riverside, RI
Ryan Lauer
Riverside, RI