Children’s Program Staff

Perhaps the most important feature of our children’s programs is teaching staff who are caring and attentive, competent, and creative. The staff consists of full-time Site Directors and a talented group of  teachers —together a diverse collection of musicians, dancers, art educators, and more.

Meet the Sacramento Street Preschool Staff

Priscilla Browne

Priscilla Browne is Lead Teacher/Director at Sacramento Street Preschool.  She has a Masters Degree from Lesley University in Curriculum and Instruction: Literacy. She brings over sixteen years of preschool teaching experience and is Director II certified. Priscilla is a passionate educator who is dedicated to integrating science, imaginative play, and social development in her teaching practice.

Kim Lambert

Kim Lambert is the co-teacher at Sacramento Street Preschool.  Recently graduated from Lesley University with a BA in Art History and Critical Studies and a minor in Literature, she has been working with preschool-age children in childcare settings for seven years.  Kim loves to bring her knowledge and passion for the visual arts, theater, and music into the classroom. She has been living in the Cambridge area for four years, is very familiar with local arts and entertainment, and loves going to theater performances and art openings.

Meet the Agassiz Baldwin Afterschool and Outback Summer Program Staff

Meet the Site Directors

Rachel Laine, Outback PM Site Director

Rachel Laine aspires to be an English professor and is currently on that path. She has many hobbies, some of which include cooking, singing, athleticism, well, too much to include! She has worked for Agassiz Baldwin Community for three years and had had the pleasure of working with the first-fifth graders throughout the years. Rachel loves working with school-age children through the arts and will continue to do so throughout the years.

Emma Mrozicki, Early Education Site-Director (Kindergarten and Preschool)

Emma Mrozicki, Early Education Site Director, received a BA in American Culture from Vassar College and is currently enrolled in the joint Creative Arts in Learning and Elementary Education Masters Program at Lesley University.  She has brought her love for creating and exploring to ABC after spending time teaching English and Art at schools in Ecuador and Mexico.  Emma is excited about this year’s Flying Zucchini Café because she is passionate about supporting good, healthy, and local food systems, and loves cooking with kids.

Alice Vogler, Outback AM Site-Director

Alice Vogler has worked in afterschool programs for more than ten years. She has her bachelor’s of fine arts in sculpture from Pacific Northwest College of Art and her master’s of fine arts from Tufts University and the Boston Museum School. She is also a co-curator for a new gallery in Central Square, Cambridge called MEME and is an active artist herself.

Meet the Afterschool/Outback Staff and Specialist Teachers

Sean Conley, Outback Teacher

Sean Conley is the new science instructor at Outback. Recently relocated from Rochester, NY, Sean is excited to spend his summer doing what he loves —teaching science. Sean, who grew up camping and spending “a ton of time” outside, believes his love of science is inspired by his love of the outdoors. After studying biology and secondary education at SUNY Geneseo, he taught science to children for several years, and currently teaches earth science at Malden High School. Sean hopes to introduce each Outbacker to the wonders of the natural world through fun, easy science experiments that they can also try at home.

Dolores Cuccovia, Afterschool and Outback Teacher

Dolores Cuccovia earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, where she majored in Art Education with a concentration in Studio for Interrelated Media. While at Mass Art, Dolores delved in various art practices such as collaborative performance art, sculpture, and installation. Dolores is a 4^th and 5^th grade teacher at the Agassiz Baldwin Afterschool and is excited to help students’ ideas come to life! Subjects that spark her interest include various forms of art, reading about neuroscience and social intelligence, staying active, and visiting many of Boston’s galleries.

Barbara Fletcher, Outback Specialist Teacher —Visual Art, Papermaking

Barbara Fletcher holds a B.F.A. in commercial art from Syracuse University. She is a sculptor whose mediums include paper and mixed media materials. Her work reflects the humor she sees around her, particularly in the natural world. A resident of Boston for over twenty years, Barbara’s art has been shown in numerous galleries and museums including the DeCordova Museum, the Danforth Museum and a one-person show at the Boston Children’s Museum. Barbara has taught children and adults at art centers, afterschool programs, and in her studio for fifteen years. A fun fact about Barbara is that, in the mid-1980’s, she completed a commission of fantasy sculpture for famed writer Stephen King in Maine.

Kevin Garcia, Outback Teacher

Kevin Garcia works as a Paraprofessional for Boston Public Schools and will be attending Cambridge College in the fall. His focus at Outback is to ensure that children are active, having fun, and smiling. Interesting facts about Kevin are that he has a twin sister, a seven-year-old son whom he calls “mini me,” and that he loves basketball and hip hop music.

Meg Gaudet, Outback Teacher

Meg Gaudet has worked as an assistant site coordinator and afterschool teacher in Newton where she loves planning activities in art, science, and sports. She holds a B.A. from Stonehill College where she ran competitively on the women’s cross country and track teams, and an M.A. in English literature from Simmons College, where she specialized in creative writing and multicultural literature. Currently, Meg is training for the Mount Desert Island Marathon and hopes to qualify for the Boston Marathon, despite the hilly course. Meg Gaudet will be working in the Kindergarten Outback Summer Program.

Danielle Goldie, Outback Teacher

Danielle Goldie earned her B.A. in biology from Vassar College. She taught environmental education programs in New York and Boston, most recently at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and the Urban Ecology Institute. Danielle is passionate about exploring nature with kids, cooking up local vegetables, and spending as much time as possible outside! Danielle will be working in the kindergarten program and looks forward to a fantastic first summer at Outback.

Raul Gonzalez, Afterschool and Outback Specialist Teacher

Raul Gonzalez has been teaching in the Boston area for 6 years at the Museum of Fine Arts, The Institute of Contemporary Art, The Brookline Arts Center, The Boston Architectural College, and the Maud Morgan Visual Arts Center. He is a founding member of The Miracle Five artists collective and has exhibited his work in many galleries including the Bernard Toale Gallery, Space 242, NEGLAA, and the Aidekman Arts Center. With his wife Elaine Bay and under the pseudonym DieRaul, he has designed posters for bands and movies including Mates of State, the Blow, Shepherdess, and so many more.  He is the recipient of a Boston Art Award and an Artadia award and is currently preparing for his second solo exhibition at Carrol and Sons. He loves to draw and share his love of art and drawing with people young and old everywhere.

Sunny Hitt, Afterschool and Outback Specialist Teacher

Sunny Hitt studied dance at Marlboro College in Vermont and has been teaching dance to children of all ages since 2004. She performs with Alisia Waller’s And So No Sin Performance Troupe, and Lorraine Chapman The Company. She is also working with architect and sound artist Christopher Janney on a piece for Boston Ballet, set to premiere in 2010. Sunny is currently pursuing a teaching certification through South Boston Yoga. After her first summer at Outback, she is excited to return for another great year at Agassiz Baldwin Afterschool!

Maria Laine, Afterschool Teacher

Originally from Minnesota, Maria Laine earned her B.A. from Beloit College in Wisconsin in 2007. While at Beloit she double majored in Elementary Education and Sociology, spent a semester in Germany and was a captain of both the track and soccer teams. After graduation she taught math in Minnesota for a year before moving to Massachusetts where she currently holds an Elementary Teaching License. She continues to enjoy sports and plays soccer on several local teams. Her interests include trying new vegetarian recipes, playing games ranging from pool to Sudoku, learning Spanish, finding ways to be more environmentally conscious, and making jewelry. Maria loves to teach and work with kids. She especially loves to coach sports, conduct science experiments, do arts and crafts projects, and teach kids new games. Her favorite cuisine is Indian, and her favorite thing to drink is Earl Grey tea with a hint of lemon.

Aimmee Laplante, Outback Specialist Teacher —Visual Art, Printmaking

Aimmee Laplante is an art teacher at the Morse School in Cambridge. She majored in sculpture and studied art education at Boston University but says “her other love is printmaking.” This summer, Aimmee’s printmaking classes will allow children to explore additive and subtractive methods. Students will use many different materials and leave with an armful of great prints! Besides teaching at Outback, Aimmee looks forward to a four-week trip to Germany this summer.

Jenny Lee, Outback Specialist Teacher —Visual Art, Wilderness Shelters/3D

Jenny Lee earned her bachelors of science at the University of California, Los Angeles, where she majored in physiological science. After completing several courses in architecture at UCLA, she decided to further pursue the field and will be attending the Harvard Graduate School of Design to earn a master’s in architecture this fall. At Outback, Jenny will assist students in designing and building their very own wilderness shelters in the backyard.

Jennifer Malloy, Afterschool and Outback Teacher

Jennifer Malloy is a senior, undergraduate student at Lesley University studying art therapy and illustration. She has been involved with Agassiz Baldwin Community since 2007 and has taught in the Outback Summer Program for the past two summers. Jennifer has had additional experience painting and designing murals, coordinating art exhibits at Lesley, and working with disabled artists in a day treatment setting. Some of her other interests include: book binding, songwriting, and playing the guitar.

Ian McCann, Outback Teacher

This summer will be Ian McCann’s thirteenth at Outback Summer Program and his sixth as a staff member. Ian is an avid soccer player and fiddler, but also enjoys reading, playing chess and cards, and any activity that involves being active (especially outside.) He hopes to bring all of his passions to the table this summer. This coming school year, Ian will be attending McGill University in Montreal.

Monique McNally, Outback Teacher

Monique McNally has lived all over Europe and the US, working in the arts. She loves travel, food, yoga, and being outdoors. Her teaching methods include using an interdisciplinary approach. While completing her masters of education in creative arts and learning at Lesley University, Monique has had the good fortune of contributing to the wonderful, dynamic programs of Agassiz Baldwin Afterschool and Outback Summer Program.

Sarvi Moshfegh, Afterschool and Outback Specialist Teacher

Sarvi Moshfegh will teach individualized piano and cello lessons on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the afterschool year to kindergarten – 5^th grades. As a teacher, she has a personal approach, which assesses the learning style and strengths of each student as well as their personal interests. Learning an instrument should be fun as well as challenging! Trained in world-class institutions such as the New England Conservatory, Basel Conservatory of Music, and Manhattan School of Music, Sarvi has performed internationally, including Europe and South America.

Duncan Pelletier, Afterschool and Outback Teacher

Duncan Pelletier is beyond excited for his second year at ABC. Although a fiercely loyal New Hampshire native, he has been living in the Boston area for five years. He studied film and audio recording at Emerson and loves to get the children involved in various music and movie projects. When he’s not working with the kindergarteners at afterschool, Duncan fronts several local music groups, singing and playing piano, bass, and guitar. Duncan loves working with children and hopes to become an elementary school teacher in the future.

Meghan Perrier, Outback Teacher

Meghan Perrier earned her B.A. in elementary education from Endicott College where she was a tour guide, spent a semester in London, and hung out on Endicott’s beaches (even in the winter!) She holds a master’s in education: moderate disabilities (K-8), from Lesley University and hopes to volunteer abroad in the fall and become fluent in Spanish. Meghan is excited to try putting a new twist on some of her favorite childhood activities for Outback this summer.

Lee Post, Outback Specialist Teacher —Visual Art, Photography

Lee Post holds an M.F.A. in photography from Rhode Island School of Design and has years of experience as a professional photographer and videographer, including working as a photography and video teacher in Cambridge Community Schools and at the Waldorf High School. Lee looks forward to being an art specialist teaching photography at Outback this summer.

William Shields, Outback Teacher

A K-8 physical education teacher at Mystic Valley Regional Charter School in Malden, Bill Shields enjoys coaching baseball and playing golf.

Alexandra Truppi, Outback Teacher

Alexandra Truppi is a Boston-based theater teacher and actress who has worked as an arts educator at the Boston Renaissance Charter Public School, the Huntington Theatre Company, Emerson College’s Pre-College Acting Studio, the Boston Children’s Museum, and Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, RI. Alexandra loves working with students to adapt stories and poems for the stage and guides them to create original theatre performances through acting, improv, and playwriting.

Heather Zeiden, Afterschool and Outback Teacher

Heather Zeiden has a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art from U.C. Irvine.  She is currently pursuing a master’s in Interdisciplinary Studies at Lesley University, focusing on book arts and education. Heather is captivated by the juxtaposition of image and text, and by the portability and tactile nature of book art. She teaches students at Agassiz Baldwin Afterschool such skills as collage, paste papers, and traditional bookbinding skills.  She enjoys traveling, photography, and creative writing.

Ursula Ziegler, Outback Teacher

Originally from the Black Forest in Germany (yes, where the famous cake and the Cuckoo clock originated), Ursula lived for many years on the beautiful rugged west coast of Scotland where she worked in outdoor education, the arts, and studied sculpture at Glasgow School of Art. Since coming to Boston to earn an M.F.A. at SMFA/Tufts, she has been involved in many public art projects, exhibitions, and residencies. Ursula’s own work is based on solid and varied experience in the arts, the outdoors, and education, and exhibits a deep interest in exploration and playfulness.