Welcome to the 2021-2022 Cohort of the Perrone-Sizer Institute for Creative Leadership at Hale
Please welcome the new cohort of the Perrone-Sizer Institute for Creative Leadership at Hale. We’re looking forward to working and learning with this amazing group and to sharing their thinking and creativity as the year unfolds.
Crystal Alcala
Assistant Principal, Sarah Greenwood K-8 Dual Language School, Boston Public Schools
Crystal Alcala is an educator who strongly advocates for all students and families’ access to a quality education that is rooted in equity. Born and raised in Southern California, Crystal’s Mexican family taught her at a young age the limitless opportunities that come with education. She became the first individual in her family to graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of California, Irvine, and additionally went on to receive a master’s degree in Education, from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. In California, she spent more than five years supporting children and families in accessing academic and mental health services through schools, community centers, county agencies, and home based programs. Her desire to explore and to learn from others led her to move across the country to Boston where she has spent the last six years working to deconstruct the inequities marginalized children and families face in education. She feels honored to have this opportunity to engage in collaborative work collectively.
Patricia Arévalo
Dean of Students, Chelsea High School, Chelsea Public Schools
Patricia Arevalo began her career in education at Chelsea High School in 2008 after receiving a degree in mathematics from Boston College. At BC she was able to explore her calling to serve her community. As a daughter of Salvadoran immigrants, she felt drawn to Chelsea because of its high population of Central American students and families. Her sense of social responsibility was further solidified when she became a Donovan Urban Scholar alumna in 2009. Her focus has always been to serve the immigrant population, so she taught mathematics in CHS’s newcomer academy until the middle of the 2019-2020 school year. Patricia then transitioned to Dean of Students because of her deep belief in the power of Restorative Practices and her desire to impact her school community on a larger scale. Patricia was born and raised in the Boston area, but she moved to Chelsea when she began her career at CHS because she wanted to live in solidarity with the community she serves. Patricia looks forward to becoming an administrator in Chelsea and is excited to learn as much as possible in order to give her community the type of leader it deserves.
Patricia is a Chelsea Public Schools PSi Fellow.
Alan Arrington
Director of Operations & School Climate, Lilla G. Frederick Pilot Middle School, Boston Public Schools
Prior to joining the Lilla G. Frederick Pilot Middle School, Alan Arrington worked at Youth Options Unlimited Boston (YOU Boston), a workforce development organization that caters to court involved and at-risk youth. Alan began at YOU Boston in 2007 as a summer jobs supervisor. At the conclusion of summer, he was offered a job as a case manager, and he worked in that role for 5 years. During his final 3 years at YOU, Alan served as a Senior Career Development Specialist working under the Deputy Director. It was through this experience that Alan developed a passion for supporting the growth and development of young people. Alan realized that the main barrier for a lot of the young people he worked with was a lack of education, which was the catalyst for his move into the Boston Public Schools. Alan has been a part of Frederick for the past 6 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in English from Morehouse College and is a member of the illustrious Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. Alan currently resides in Roxbury, MA and is the proud father of two children, Alan (5 years old) and Alana (3 months old).
Alan is a Boston Public Schools PSi Fellow.
Laurinda Baccus
English 6-8 Teacher, Hennigan K-8 School, Boston Public Schools
Laurinda Baccus is a dedicated teacher, committed to the academic and social development of multicultural students.This school year will begin Laurinda's 17th year of teaching. She has taught elementary, middle, and high school students. Laurinda began her teaching career in Texas and moved to Massachusetts in 2012. Many people who live in Massachusetts don't realize that the Commonwealth is number one in the nation for providing autism services, which was why Laurinda and her family moved to the state. Laurinda has three children, Isaac, Cadie, and Damon. Isaac was their reason for moving. He has made many gains in the last nine years. Laurinda is still fighting for his success, academically and socially.
Laurinda is a Boston Public Schools PSi Fellow.
Ildulce Brandao
Assistant Head of Lower Division, The Park School, Brookline, MA
Ildulce (Dulce) Brandao was born and raised in Roxbury and proudly represents being Cape Verdean. She is one of ten children and has 21 nieces and nephews. Dulce's passion for working with youth started with her own family. She is also a mother to a smart and sassy girl named Bella and an active son named Blake. Dulce enjoys watching them learn and discover the world around them. She loves to spend time doing many different activities, attending family functions, being outdoors, going to church, and lastly being able to enjoy the rich history and diversity Boston has to offer. Since she was a very young child, Dulce knew she wanted to be a teacher. She holds a bachelor's degree in Multidisciplinary Studies and a master's degree in Early Childhood Education. Dulce has experience as a teacher assistant, lead teacher, Dean of Students, and now as an Assistant Head of Lower Division at The Park School, totaling over 20 years working with youth. Dulce looks forward to continuing her learning career with other educators and professionals as they work towards creating a safe and fun environment for youth and adults.
Lisa Cook
Director of Continuing Education, Somerville Center for Adult Learning Experiences (SCALE), Somerville Public Schools
Lisa Cook has served as a district leader within Somerville Public Schools for three years. Lisa leads Somerville Center for Adult Learning Experiences (SCALE), which provides academic and career readiness instruction to over 350 adult learners. Lisa’s leadership experience spans financial services, public administration, youth development, and education. Equipped with a vibrant professional career, Lisa’s transition into public education has fueled her passion for providing access to experiential learning experiences for all ages. In addition, Lisa is extremely passionate about meeting students’ needs by exploring research and instructional practices rooted in academic rigor, cultural competency, and student advocacy. Lisa holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Northeastern University and a master’s degree in Marketing Communications from Emerson College. Lisa is excited to join the 2021-2022 PSi cohort.
Georgette Copeland
Special Education Teacher, ABA Based Classroom K2-2nd, Boston Public Schools
Georgette Copeland is a graduate of Boston Public Schools. Georgette worked as an Applied Behavioral Specialist with special education students in BPS for a number of years before teaching in an ABA based classroom for the last six years at the Chittick Elementary School. Georgette holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Graduate Degree in Special Education. She believes that ALL students have the ability to learn cognitively demanding tasks and wants all teachers to be more comfortable delivering universally designed instructions to the diverse learners they educate. She believes that an educator's job is to ignite the passion and excitement for learning that lives in our scholars. As an aspiring leader and lifelong educator, Georgette understands the importance of the arts in promoting joy. Music and theater have always been an important part of her classroom and life. A retired teacher recently said something very profound to Georgette, “When you take the joy out of education, you take the passion out of the teacher.”
Dave DiPietro
Social Studies Educator, Somerville High School. Somerville Public Schools
Dave DiPietro was born and raised in Lexington, MA, into a family and community with deep historical fascinations. Dave earned a bachelor's degree at Roger Williams University, then a master's degree at UMass Boston in American Studies, where he was brought into a wonderful community of social justice activists and scholars who greatly shaped his perspectives on the world and his role in it. Dave then entered an MAT program at Tufts University, where he interned at Somerville High School for a year before transitioning to full-time teaching the next year, a position he has held since. Over the past 9 years, Dave has taught US History to a range of learners, holding both the role of lead social studies teacher and special educator. Dave's pride and joy at Somerville has been the American Identities class, a dual enrollment program with UMass Boston, where students take an American Studies department course for credit while seniors at Somerville, free of charge. When he is not living as Mr. DiPietro, Dave likes to exercise, read, cook, eat out, travel, watch trash television, be a baseball nerd, spend time with friends and family, and most importantly, laugh a lot.
Demetrius Fuller
Art Teacher, Sokolowski School & Art Department District Lead, Chelsea Public Schools
Demetrius Fuller has been an elementary art teacher in Chelsea for over 20 years. In his role as District Art Lead, he developed a new art curriculum that integrated the latest research in art education with his and his colleague's own rich experiences in Chelsea. He also created a framework based on the Studio Habits of Mind (developed by Lois Hetland and Harvard’s Project Zero), which are embodied in his eight “HOMies.” As a Teach Plus teacher, Demetrius has helped teachers of varied subjects to identify the thinking habits and high-leverage thinking moves that underlie their own pedagogy. All of this points to Demetrius’ deeply-held philosophy that, despite obvious differences, all subjects are inherently connected in ways that can make them more accessible and enriching to everyone. A writer and songwriter as well, Demetrius composed and performed the score for the Apollinaire Theatre’s bilingual 2021 production of Romeo and Juliet.
Demetrius is a Chelsea Public Schools PSi Fellow.
Sadida Harris-Hunt
1st Grade Teacher, Orchard Gardens, Boston Public Schools
Sadida Harris-Hunt noticed and accepted her passion for serving youth when she was inspired by her fourth-grade teacher. Sadida was born and raised in Boston and received her undergraduate degree in developmental psychology at Wheelock College. She completed her master’s at Boston University in Early Childhood Education. Sadida has been changing the lives of children and families at Orchard Gardens School for four years. She is a first-grade teacher and plans to continue building and growing with the Orchard Garden’s community. Sadida is ecstatic to join this cohort and looks forward to creating positive change with others. Additionally, outside of Sadida’s teaching career, she is an active member of her church and serves faithfully on several ministries.
Rebecca Iyore
Dean of Curriculum and Instruction, The Lower School Academy, Lawrence High School, Lawrence Public Schools
Rebecca Iyore has taught and led in Lawrence Public Schools for twenty years. Before serving in her current role as a Dean of Curriculum and Instruction at Lawrence High School, she was a middle and high school English and art teacher. Her work in her classrooms and as a school leader largely focuses on creating equity and on developing curriculum and fostering practices that reflect her students' identities and values. She has partnered with numerous community organizations to forge relationships between school and community. Rebecca holds a BFA in Photography from the Massachusetts College of Art and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Lesley University. She was also a 2001 Americorps member at Peace Games (now Peace First) in Boston. Rebecca is excited to work alongside this cohort to grow as a leader.
Chris Madson
English Teacher / Lead Teacher, John D. O'Bryant School, Boston Public Schools
Chris Madson has been an educator for over 18 years. Over the past decade, Chris has implemented school-wide positive behavior interventions and supports systems, designed a project-based curriculum that connects students with arts and public and private organizations around the city, and advocated for and implemented an inclusive curriculum for students with IEPs. Chris earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Hamline University, an M.Ed. through the Boston Teacher Residency Program and the University of Massachusetts Boston, and a Ph.D. in literature from the University at Buffalo. He is a National Board Certified Teacher.
Chris is a Boston Public Schools PSi Fellow.
Luz Maldonado
Registrar, Fenway High School, Boston Public Schools
Luz Maldonado is currently a registrar at Fenway High School and has a bachelor’s degree in Human Services with a focus in Family Studies. She previously worked as a Family Coordinator in both the McCormack Middle School and Boston Arts Academy. Luz is an advocate for Latino students and has always been a beacon of help and support for those in need within the BPS community. She looks forward to continuing her education and growing as a leader to better support her students and colleagues. In her spare time she enjoys her arts and crafts and spending time with her three beautiful grandchildren.
Jessica Martinez
Student Support Coordinator, Fenway High School, Boston Public Schools
Jessica Martinez is a very proud Afro-Latina, born and raised in Boston, MA. Though her heart and her upbringing are forever rooted in the Dominican Republic and its culture, she is honored to courageously navigate the duality of both worlds. She is a Boston Public Schools alumna and currently a Student Support Coordinator at Fenway High School, providing holistic supports through social-emotional learning practices that encourage and promote student's overall well-being. She also serves as the Debate en Español Team Coach and co-leads the young women affinity groups "Sister 2 Sister" and "Latinas Unidas." In her spare time and outside of learning, Jessica self-cares by sharing hugs with her nieces and nephew and laughing with her really loud family. She likes tasting culinary delicacies when she travels, has a true love for the arts (especially live theatre), and has a niche for dancing like no one is watching. She considers herself a runner and loves conversations that empower advocacy for people of color, with emphasis on diversifying opportunities for Spanish-speaking students and their families. Jessica is excited to be part of PSi and looks forward to sharing creative ideas and practices throughout this transformative experience.
Emily Monteiro
Consultant, Crossroads for Kids
Emily Monteiro was born and raised in Dorchester, MA. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology. She then went on to get her master's degree in Clinical Social Work at Boston College. For the past 20 years, Emily has worked in public schools, striving to offer guidance and support to students to enable their success in school and beyond. Emily has worked as an enrichment teacher, teacher coach, student support team manager, and in school-wide leadership including as Dean of Students and Director of Operations. Through these roles, she has created partnerships and built relationships with over 200 community organizations, high schools, and colleges; built staff capacity to help families navigate the school enrollment and selection process; served as the point-person for behavioral crisis intervention and acute behavioral issues (including counseling); and supported high school seniors and families through college admissions and financial aid process. Emily hopes to continue learning and growing to better support students and families.
Taryn Moon
Director of Instruction, Mary Lyon K-8 School. Boston Public Schools
Taryn Moon has been with the Mary Lyon K-8 School for 16 years. Her journey as an educator at the Lyon began as a graduate student intern and continued when she became the 4th-grade inclusion teacher. Taryn later went on to become an instructional coach and is currently the Director of Education. Taryn loves her school community and is passionate about creating learning environments in which students and staff are challenged to fulfill their potential. She is not afraid of out-of-the-box thinking and gets excited about innovative solutions to problems. Taryn completed her undergraduate degree at Boston University and her master’s degree in Education at Boston College. You can find her baking, playing board games, and going for walks around Somerville with her husband and two children.
Juan Mora y Araujo
Director, EdStudios
Juan Mora y Araujo has worked with government and non-government organizations that focus on social and educational change in Argentina. He served as National Director of Environmental Education and Undersecretary of Social Economy for the government of Argentina. He is the founder and Director of EdStudios, co-founder of Festival Recreo, and Education Director at the Instituto de Formación Política y Gestión Pública of the City of Buenos Aires. Juan is excited to relocate to the United States with his wife and two children.
Caitlin Nelson
Instructional Facilitator, John F. Kennedy Elementary School, Boston Public Schools
Caitlin Gill Nelson began her career as an educator 13 years ago in a full inclusion classroom while earning her Master's of Education at Boston College as a Donovan Urban Teaching Scholar. Prior to becoming a teacher, Caitlin was a financial analyst in Chicago. While in Chicago, she had the opportunity to work with several innovative grassroots childhood development and education nonprofits, which ultimately inspired her return to graduate school in pursuit of a career in education. Caitlin's goal has always been for students to find joy in learning, persevere through challenges, and feel empowered as a positive force in their community. As an instructional leader, Caitlin engages teachers in critical and compassionate reflection, fosters collaboration among her school community, and grounds instructional decisions in data to ensure equitable and successful outcomes for all students.
Peter Pappavaselio
Performing Arts Lead Teacher, Chelsea High School, Chelsea Public Schools
Pete began his career as a history teacher to at-risk youth within the Chelsea High School Alternative Program and later transitioned into performing arts at Chelsea High School. He has been the performing arts program lead for the past five years and was honored when his Cantare was invited by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker to perform at his second inauguration. Pete is as passionate about advocating for students as he is about music. He believes that the arts provide students with an invaluable opportunity for self-expression, particularly in the fields which he instructs, which are Music Production and Video Production. In his free time, Pete enjoys drone photography and vintage computing.
Pete is a Chelsea Public Schools PSi Fellow.
RL Reynolds Lupo
Director of Student Support, William E. Russell School, Boston Public Schools
A Boston Public School teacher for 11 years, Elizabeth Reynolds Lupo has spent her entire BPS career in Dorchester. RL, as she is affectionately known by her students, is currently a physical education teacher and director of student support at William E. Russell Elementary School. RL is a Massachusetts native, having grown up in a Boston suburb. She discovered her passion for health promotion and prevention and has found health advocacy at the school level and club level to be a great fit for her interests. She is now the Executive Director of a Roxbury-based nonprofit, Boston United Track and Cross Country. Outside of teaching and track, RL loves mentoring students and spending time with her dogs.
Anthony Rhodes
Student Support Coordinator, Fenway High School, Boston Public Schools
Anthony Rhodes has been with Fenway High School for a little over 30 years. He is also a graduate of Fenway High School. Anthony has held many positions at the school: Senior Humanities, Public Speaking, Business and Technical Writing teacher, and coordinator of various programs. But the one he is most proud of is his current position as a Student Support Coordinator. Growing up in the City of Boston, Anthony realized there needed to be more collaboration around supporting young men. As a result, Anthony helped to co-found Men Organized Responsible and Educated (M.O.R.E.), and Boys to Men organizations. Anthony is a graduate of Wilberforce University in Ohio.
Marianela Rivera
Dr. Marianela Rivera (she/ella) is a parent, activist and community organizer who was born and raised in Lawrence, MA. She earned a clinical doctorate in physical therapy from Northeastern University and has focused the majority of her career on serving students receiving special education services. She is a Steering Committee member for the Greater Lawrence Education Justice Alliance and is dedicated to the fight for educational justice.
Alex Soares
1st Grade SEI teacher, William E. Russell School, Boston Public Schools
Alexandra (Alex) Soares is a Boston native. She attended Boston Public Schools until the age of 8. Her family then relocated to Brookline, MA. This change of environment would later fuel her desire to pursue a career in education, and specifically urban education. She earned her undergraduate degree from Boston College in Applied Psychology and Human Development. Alex minored in philosophy and sociology and became a Donovan Urban Teaching Scholar at Boston College, earning her master's degree in Early Childhood Education. Alex has just completed her fifth year of teaching and has bounced between K1, K2, and 1st grade. Her most fulfilling role has been teaching in the Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) classroom as she can closely relate to her Spanish-speaking students and families. Alex’s ultimate goal is to create a vision for education in which all students are given equal access to opportunities and a world of education that encompasses all aspects of a person and accurately represents these truths in day-to-day teaching.
Alex is a Boston Public Schools PSi Fellow.
Cam Scott
Data and Accountability Manager, Boston Day and Evening Academy, Boston Public Schools
Cam Scott joined Boston Day and Evening Academy (BDEA) in 2018. In her current role, she develops BDEA's customized instance of Salesforce to ensure timely access to student information pertaining to academic progress and wellness. Previously, she served as the Innovation Systems Designer for Boston Public Schools, where she worked to improve processes that enable the spread of innovation throughout the district. Prior to that, she measured program impact for Metanoia Community Development Corporation. She is a subject matter expert in designing data systems to monitor and support social and emotional skill development. Cam is a former Education Pioneer Fellow, Bonner Leader alumna, has served as an Americorps VISTA, and was a Site Coordinator for the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools. She obtained her B.S. in Business Administration at the College of Charleston, her M.B.A. in Business Analytics at Clemson University, and is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Sneha Walia
History Teacher, Boston Latin Academy, Boston Public Schools
Sneha Walia (she/her) is a history teacher at Boston Latin Academy in the Boston Public Schools district. At BLA, Sneha teaches world history, coaches the Debate Team, advises the Student Council, and serves on the Instructional Leadership Team. She attended Brandeis University for both her B.A. ('15) in Politics and Psychology and her M.A.T. ('16) in Secondary History Education. She is an alum of the Institute for Nonprofit Practice's Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership Program, DESE's InSPIRED (In-Service Professionals Increasing Racial and Ethnic Diversity of the educator workforce) Program, the Teach Plus Commonwealth Teaching Policy Fellowship, and the New Leaders Council Boston Fellowship. Sneha is a first generation Indian American whose parents immigrated from India. She is passionate about helping students see themselves and their histories in the classroom through a well-rounded and truly global world history curriculum that prioritizes student choice and authentic inquiry-based research.
Sneha is a Boston Public Schools PSi Fellow.
Lynn Weisse
Third Grade Teacher, Edgar Hooks Elementary School, Chelsea Public Schools
Lynn Weisse is a career changer and was formerly a Regional Director of Operations for Assisted Living and Alzheimer’s communities. She began her career in education at the Bell School in Marblehead, MA as a special education tutor, and then at Ingalls Elementary School in Lynn, MA as a 5th grade teacher. Having attended middle school at the International School of Geneva, Switzerland, she experienced a curriculum rich in the arts. Last year she hosted an art teacher from Saudi Arabia in her classroom and together they incorporated art into the curriculum. Her passion for education comes from experiencing the different ways her children learned while growing up. She is excited to join this cohort and collaborate with other leaders who share the same passion for education.
Lynn is a Chelsea Public Schools PSi Fellow.