Occupation: I am a reading and homework tutor for children kindergarten through sixth grade. I started teaching reading at Hawley school when we moved to town and was there for six years. I absolutely loved it. When we moved to California, I started my own tutoring business for homeschool and public school children. It was fantastic helping kids at all different levels use the key the unlock the door to success in school. It was a wonderful career for 11 years out there. When we moved back to Newtown, I started up again under the same business, which I call Maggie Poppins Tutoring. I bring a big bag with me full of everything I can think of to help kids learn.

Family: I’ve been married to Ken for 32 years. He’s a direct marketer. We have three children: Will is 29 and in Brooklyn, N.Y.; Ben is 28 and in Santa Monica, Calif.; and Molly is 26 and in New York City.

Pets: We have a Leonberger — a Saint Bernard, Newfoundland, and Great Pyrenees mix. He’s 140 pounds. His name in Gunther.

How long have you lived in Newtown? We came to town in 1995 and were charmed by the downtown area and the flagpole. We were here for six years, then moved to England for two years, but we knew we wanted to come back to Newtown. When we came back, we were here for another six years and then my husband got his job in California. We were there for 11 years and moved back to Newtown in September 2019. We fit right back in with our group of friends. It’s been fabulous.

What has changed the most in Newtown since you left? All the restaurants and new shops in town. It’s so beautifully developed. We are having fun trying out all the places we had never gone to before.

What do you like to do in your free time? My husband and I like to hike, entertain and have people over, and travel — especially with the kids. We got the bug to travel when we lived in England, because everything was so close. And in my spare time, I love to do three things: cook, read, and knit.

Do you have a favorite book or author? I’m a huge reader. My favorite book is definitely The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. My father, who was a high school English teacher, gave me that as my graduation gift from high school. My favorite author is Amor Towles who wrote Rules of Civility and A Gentleman in Moscow. His writing is absolutely beautiful.

What is your favorite travel destination? We love going to the National Parks. We try going every year to a different one. We’ve been to most of them out west and want to do the ones in New England now.

What is the best part about Newtown? The people. They make you feel so warm and welcome. You can just be yourself around your friends in Newtown, and people look for opportunities to help one another. Also, Newtown was the perfect place to raise our kids. They each have made lifelong friends, just like Ken and me.

Who are the heroes in your life? The teachers who go above and beyond to inspire, motivate, and help kids dream beyond the classroom. They can literally transform lives through their passion, making the mundane become extraordinary.

If you could spend the day with one person, who would you choose and why? My mom, Betsy. She passed away from early onset Alzheimer’s. I know she would have absolutely loved to watch us raise our kids and see them become the adults they are today. I’d want her to get to see the kids and be part of their lives.

Who is your favorite musical artist? Hozier is great. I also like John Mayer. I like artists with a depth to their music that can move and inspire you.

What is your favorite quote? “Drop a bit of kindness in the pot of humanity.” I try to live my life by that rule. I don’t know who it came from, but I’ve had it in my phone for years.

What is something you cannot live without? My family and our friends here in town.

What is your proudest accomplishment? Our three children. Watching them grow through each stage of life has just been the greatest honor I could ever ask for.