Nina Alani Lessin-Joseph, Health Teacher
Jamaica Plain, MA
This is my 6th year as a classroom teacher. In addition to teaching in Boston, I have also taught in Springfield, MA and Copan Ruinas, Honduras. I am a MA certified teacher with licenses in ESL and Political Science and Philosophy. I received my Bachelors of Arts from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst in Social Thought and Political Economy (STPEC) with a Latin American, Latino and Caribbean Studies Certificate; Minors in Latin American Studies and Anthropology, concentration in Community Development. My Masters Degree is in Education from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst. In addition to being a classroom teacher I provide professional development training for adults working with English language learners. I serve on the Board of Directors for the Rosenberg Fund for Children.
Joan Arches, Technology Pilot Program Leader
Joan Arches has a PhD in Sociology and Social Work from Boston University. She is an Associate Professor, and Program Coordinator of Human Services and Youth Work at the College of Public and Community Service, University of Massachusetts/Boston where she has been engaged in numerous service learning, participatory action research projects with youth. She runs after school tutoring and positive youth development programs in the community.
Torii Bottomley, Literacy Teacher
Torii received her undergraduated degree from the Foreign Service School at Georgetown University and her MA in teaching from the School for International Training in Brattleboro, VT. She began her career teaching ESL, History and Spanish to migrant children in Watsonville, CA. The past fifteen years she has taught ESL and served as a teacher trainer in Boston Public Schools.
She has done extensive travel to broaden her understanding of her students' cultures and languages by participating in volunteer projects, the Peace Corps, Fund for Teachers grant program, and
language and cultural programs. She believes in the power of the arts to bridge cultures and build multicultural appreciation.
Tehka Bowen, Learning Center Teacher
My name is Tehka (Tika) Bowen. I was born and raised in Boston, MA. I received my B.A. from Wellesley College and an M.S. Ed. from Simmons College. I work for Boston Public Schools as a Community Connections Facilitator. I help students with special needs transition from school to career or adult programs when graduate or turn twenty-two. I also connect them with agencies that help them to continue their education or receive training.
I love to read. I spend more money on books than I do on food. I also love to eat. Some of my favorite foods are: cake, cream of wheat, spaghetti, macaroni and cheese and chicharon. Every week I take several dance classes at the gym. I love to hang out with my friends. I watch too much television. During the summer, I like to plant flowers in my yard and go to the beach.
Jennifer Collett, Co-Director of Family and Community Outreach
Berkeley, CA
Donna DeGennaro, Technology Pilot Program Leader
Cambridge, MA
Donna DeGennaro obtained her PhD in Education from the University of Pennsylvania. She is currently an assistant professor at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Donna’s research interests center on youth technology practices in informal environments. Her research draws on theories from cultural sociology and critical pedagogy to examine the interrelationship between culture, history, and social interactions and how they inform emergent learning designs.
Jennifer Dines, Academic Director
Fund for Teachers Expeditionary Learning Grant Recipient
Brighton, MA
Hi! My name is Jennifer Dines, but my students in DR call me Jenny! The summer of 2010 will be my 3rd summer working with children in Cabarete. I am extremely proud to serve as the Academic Director for the first ever Mariposa DR Foundation Young Women's Summer Leadership Program.
During the school year, I work as a bilingual special education teacher in the Boston Public Schools. I received a M.Ed. in Special Education from Northeastern University and a M.Ed. in Creative Arts in Learning and Elementary Education from Lesley University. I also have a B.Mus. in piano and computer music from Berklee College of Music.
I enjoy cooking, reading, spending time with my family and friends, running, and traveling. I especially love teaching because I get to meet new people all the time!
Nancy Doherty, Mathematics Teacher
Jamaica Plain, MA
Nancy worked since 1996 as the Program Director of the International Youth Program at the English High School under the umbrella of the International Rescue Committee, a refugee resettlement worldwide agency. She managed a professional and volunteer team of thirty in assisting immigrants, primarily from Somalia and other African countries to complete high school, find a job and assisted students with enrolling in college. Additionally, the program resolved student/family conflicts and assimilated immigrants into American culture. Nancy successfully organized and expanded this adolescent and family program. Nancy has been a Boston Public School (BPS) substitute teacher since 2003. She was a Guidance Counselor at a local high school assisting international students. Her primary focus as a teacher has been with Special Education, English (ELA) and Social Studies. She teaches widely in elementary and middle schools in the Boston Public School system. She has tutored English to Speakers of Other Languages for 14 years.
Nancy has a keen interest in local history and is a Board member and guide for the Jamaica Plain Historical Society. Nancy is a long time volunteer for the Museum of Fine Arts with a special interest in architecture and American art. She is a mother of two children (boy/girl) and has lived in Boston all her life. Nancy has traveled the world having been to China many times and lived summers in Mexico.
Her interest volunteering with the DR program derives from her enthusiastic interest working with families and young people who are at risk. She spent fourteen (14) years helping students from Somalia, a war torn country, and would like to continue serving youth and families in need. She has valuable skills and experience working with youth from around the world.
Aislinn Doyle, Development Associate
Beth Hughes, Health Teacher
Beth Kaleta, Mathematics Teacher
Dorchester, MA
Beth is a 2007 graduate from Regis College with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. She has since been working in research as a Laboratory Manager at Children’s Hospital in Boston. During college and beyond, Beth has volunteered 5 years of her time tutoring and mentoring high school students in the International Youth Program, a part of the International Rescue Committee. A few afternoons a week were spent helping these students in subjects such as Math, Science, History and English, as well as helping them to apply for jobs and work on interviewing skills.
Beth also has some experience travelling abroad as she has been to Villa El Salvador, Peru twice. While there, Beth spent a lot of time getting to know the people and working alongside them on various projects. Most of her time was spent with a small Youth Group, ages 13-19, working in soup kitchens, constructing a small school and helping orphaned children with their literacy. Her decision to travel to the DR stems from this experience as she would like to continue to bridge the gaps among the international community.
Cabarete, Dominican Republic
Marina Mutz, Literacy Teacher
Boston, MA
Fund for Teachers Expeditionary Learning Grant Recipient
Hello, my name is Marina Mutz. I have been teaching History and English for the past three years to high school and middle school students. I grew up near Chicago, Illinois
and attended the University of Illinois where I earned a degree as a Learning and Behavior Specialist. I moved to Boston, Massachusetts in June and am currently teaching 8th grade Humanities in Boston. I love to travel! In the past 3 years I’ve been to Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tanzania, Rwanda, Portugal, Spain, France, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and the British and U.S. Virgin Islands. I am very excited to have the opportunity to work and travel throughout the Dominican Republic. I studied Spanish in high school and am really looking forward to being able to practice and improve my Spanish speaking this summer.
and attended the University of Illinois where I earned a degree as a Learning and Behavior Specialist. I moved to Boston, Massachusetts in June and am currently teaching 8th grade Humanities in Boston. I love to travel! In the past 3 years I’ve been to Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tanzania, Rwanda, Portugal, Spain, France, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and the British and U.S. Virgin Islands. I am very excited to have the opportunity to work and travel throughout the Dominican Republic. I studied Spanish in high school and am really looking forward to being able to practice and improve my Spanish speaking this summer.Paulina Pérez, Co-Director of Family and Community Outreach
Cabarete, Dominican RepublicPaulina Perez, originally from Rio Grande Altamira, received her bachelor degree from the Ponticicia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra, and moved to Caberete to begin her career in education. She began this career 17 years ago, teaching in the Cabarete public schools. In 2004, she was promoted to Assistant Director of Colonial Nuevo, a K-8 public school in Callajon de la Loma. In 2008, upon receiving her Masters in Education from UAPA, La Universidad Abierta Para Adultos, she became the Director of Puerto Cabarete, the oldest public school in Cabarete. Paulina brings new meaning to the term life long learner as she continually seeks ways to improve her own skills as both an administrator and teacher.
Paulina has devoted her to life to serving her community as both an educator, a political activist, and a parishioner. Within the her parish, she serves as both a minister of communion, and she has organized fundraisers to finance the construction of the new church. In addition to these roles, she makes home visits to the elderly and sick to facilitate prayers and offer communion. She is a devoted wife to Mario Bonilla, and mother to 4 children, all of whom attended the pubic schools.
Paulina has collaborated with Patricia Suriel, the Executive Director of the Mariposa Foundation for over 17 years, and she will play an active role in developing and directing the summer programs.
Fran Perkins, Health Teacher
Brookline, MA
I have been living in the Boston area for most of my life. I am currently attending Brookline High School. I've done a lot of traveling throughout the world, and lived in Cali, Colombia for two years. I speak English, am pretty good at Spanish, and am learning French. I am really interested in film making, crafts, and my cat!Ingrid Roche, Literacy Teacher
Brookline, MA
I am a Spanish teacher at Boston Latin Academy. I have been teaching in Boston for ten years. I have worked with many students from the Dominican Republic who live in Boston, and am looking forward to working with students in Cabarete.
I am a Spanish teacher at Boston Latin Academy. I have been teaching in Boston for ten years. I have worked with many students from the Dominican Republic who live in Boston, and am looking forward to working with students in Cabarete.
I have both a Bachelor's and Master's degree from the University of Massachusetts. I have taught Spanish, French, ESL, and Technology to middle and high school students. I LOVE technology and learning languages.
Isabelle Samson, Program Assistant
Victoriaville, Québec, Canada
Hello! My name is Isabelle and I am a French-speaking Canadian from Québec. Ten years ago, I lived in Cabarete and worked as an hotel receptionist. Back home, after a few years working within community organizations, I decided to go back to university. I will obtain my Bachelor's degree in Teaching English as a Second Language next year. While studying, I have been substitute teaching in high schools during the last two years. I am very excited to come back to Cabarete for a longer period of time!
Tricia Suriel, Mariposa DR Foundation Director
Cabarete, Dominican Republic
Joy Warrick, Literacy Teacher
Nashville, TN
¡Hola! My name is Joy Warrick, and I am thrilled to be joining the Mariposas this summer as a literacy teacher. I am from Nashville, TN and work at a wonderful high school there. I just completed my second year of teaching Spanish 1, 2, and 4, and I am excited to spend my summer in Cabarete.
I received my B.S. in 2007 from Vanderbilt University in Spanish and Secondary Education. I also completed a minor in Latin American Studies there. My master's is in Language and Literacy Studies from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. I love to travel when given the opportunity and studied in Spain during my junior year of college.
This will be my second summer teaching in Cabarete. I cannot wait to return! It is am amazing town with amazing people.
¡Nos vemos pronto!
