Administrative Staff - Strafford Learning Center

Helen Rist

Executive Director

The needs of students with learning differences have been at the core of Helen’s career in education. Motivated by the desire to help all children learn to their full potential, she chose to study special education. Helen received her B.S. in Education from Fitchburg State University and her M.Ed. in Reading from Boston University. She enjoyed her beginning role as a special education teacher and later, a grade 5, then grade 3 classroom teacher. Moving to administration was a logical next step and Helen served as an Assistant Principal before becoming a Principal for eleven years at two local districts. After receiving her Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from the University of New Hampshire, she become the Director of Student Services for a large SAU in the seacoast. Coming to Strafford Learning Center (SLC) has given Helen the opportunity to use her varied experiences to carry on the well-established legacy of SLC’s impactful work with school districts for students with special needs. The programs and services offered by SLC benefit over 1,000 students in thirty schools.

Marta Kilrain

Assistant Executive Director

Marta earned her BS and MS at the University of New Hampshire. She began her career at Strafford Learning Center (SLC) working as an Occupational Therapist with children in the school setting, with a focus on gaining functional skills for increased independence and meaningful participation throughout the school day. Marta then served as the OT/ PT Program Director at SLC where she supported and connected a large and continuously growing department. Always looking for new ways to support student and district needs, Marta took an opportunity to help bring Every Moment Counts, an OT lead initiative focused on promoting positive mental health, to the state of New Hampshire. Marta is currently the Assistant Executive Director at SLC where she hopes to use her skill set to continue to support professionals in being leaders in educational equity. When not at work, her interests include gardening, reading, answering many, many questions from her three children, and providing enthusiasm from the sideline at sporting events.

Cathy Cray

Administrative Assistant

Cathy serves at the primary contact for all external offices. Having held positions in the legal and special education fields, she is able to tailor her skills to meet the needs of various staff, programs and school districts.

Cathy has been with Strafford Learning Center (SLC) for 27+ years as the Administrative Assistant. She enjoys her multifaceted role working directly with the Executive Director, Assistant Executive Director, Program Directors and many therapists and school staff.

Prior to working at SLC, Cathy worked for ten years at a local law firm, earning her Paralegal degree from McIntosh College.

In addition to her duties as the Administrative Assistant at SLC, Cathy is a proud mom to one son and active in the Big Brothers and Big Sister’s program in the Seacoast.

Penny Lee

Technology Coordinator

Penny earned her Journalism BA from the University of Maryland, College Park. She began her career in Public Relations and Advertising Writing. Penny moved to Boston and got an MAT in Elementary Education at Simmons College. She then worked in Special Education in Salem, MA while earning and EdS in Assistive Technology, also from Simmons College. Penny moved to New Hampshire with her family four-years ago, and was thrilled to begin working at Strafford Learning Center (SLC) where she can use her technology and education skills, while learning new things at the same time.

Carole Annach

Business Manager

Carole has been the Business Manager at Strafford Learning Center (SLC) since 1999. She also works in technology. Carole is a veteran of the U.S. Army and is a recent kidney donor. Carole is an animal lover and likes to cook.