LEADERSHIP TEAM

Ben Mardell

Atelierista

PEDAGOGISTA

Ben joined Newtowne School in August 2023, bringing decades of early childhood teaching experience. He holds an M.A. from Wheelock College and a Ph.D. in Child Studies from Tufts University. Ben worked at Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Project Zero (PZ). At PZ he participated in the Making Learning Visible project (a collaboration with the Municipal Infant-Toddler Centers and Preschools of Reggio Emilia) and helped lead the Children are Citizens and Pedagogy of Play projects. Ben has also worked as a professor at Lesley University’s Graduate School of Education. He has co-authored a number of resources related to the Reggio Emilia Approach, as well as a book on early childhood curriculum. Ben loves working in his home community of Cambridge, and values his smart and kind colleagues at Newtowne. He is passionate about the Reggio idea that children are citizens in the here and now (not citizens-in-training) who can have insights into issues that affect them and their community. Outside of teaching he enjoys hiking, swimming, and games with his family, as well as participating in triathlons.

Check out Ben’s most recent research collaboration: A Pedagogy of Play: Supporting playful learning in classrooms and schools.

Holly Janssen

INCLUSION SPECIALIST

Holly grew up immersed in the world of early childhood education thanks to her parents’ family-owned preschool in Wisconsin. She has worked in early childhood programs in Somerville and Cambridge since 2014, including as a child development consultant at the Early Years Project. She holds an M.A. from Tufts University in Child Study and Human Development with a focus on social emotional learning in early childhood settings. Holly joined Newtowne School as a teacher in 2019, and then as the Inclusion Specialist in 2021. In her role as Inclusion Specialist, Holly enjoys consulting with teachers and families to make sure that each child’s unique needs are met. As a teacher with a background in mental health, she is committed to viewing children’s behavior as a form of communication and believes that all children can thrive at school with the right support. In her free time, she enjoys cross stitching and scouring thrift stores for vintage decor, DIY furniture projects, or interesting classroom materials.

Melanie Cooper

SCHOOL Operations MANAGER

SUMMER PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Melanie holds a B.A in Early Childhood Education from Lasell University, and has been working alongside our youngest citizens in Reggio Emilia inspired schools within the Greater Boston area since 2014. After over 7 years of classroom teaching experience, she found that her passion was in helping to cultivate school culture in partnership with families and teachers. Her interest in early childhood leadership inspired her to return to school to gain her Department of Early Education and Care’s Director Certification, and begin her managerial career at Newtowne in 2021. Melanie treasures her ability to build meaningful relationships with all of the children at Newtowne, as well as with the families through Newtowne's co-op structure. Outside of Newtowne, Melanie enjoys reading and traveling.

TEACHING FACULTY

Nana Appiah-Korang

orange sea star teacher

Nana began her lead teaching career at Newtowne in 2021 after completing her M.Ed in Early Childhood Education from Boston University, where she worked at the university’s Early Childhood Learning Laboratory school. She loves working with preschool children because their questioning nature and curiosity makes every day an adventure. She enjoys learning first-hand about cooperative education in her time at Newtowne. Seeing the formation of partnerships and relationships through this approach has solidified her belief that families, teachers, and children are equal collaborators in the process of learning. Her hobbies include DIY projects and coding. Nana was born in Ghana, West Africa, and her name means ‘Queen’ in her local language, Twi.

Danielle Hart

orange sea star Teacher

After studying English literature and studio art in her undergraduate career, Danielle went on to discover her passion for early childhood education, where she is constantly inspired and moved by the children she works with. Danielle has been teaching since 2019 and joined Newtowne in 2022 after receiving her Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University. She has worked in several private and public schools, and is ultimately drawn to the Reggio Emilia approach of truly respecting and learning alongside children. Danielle feels honored to be a part of the Newtowne community that she feels so strongly values family relationships, social emotional learning, and the wonders of childhood. Danielle strives to create authentic connections with children and their families, and works to make sure that every child feels safe, valued, and empowered. She believes that this is the foundation we need, starting with our youngest learners, to build a more just and equitable world. Outside of the classroom, Danielle loves drinking tea with friends, spending time with her family (she is the proud older sister of three brothers), hiking, drawing, painting, or reading a good book.

Jenna Rounds

Purple Fish Teacher

With B.A. in graphic design with a minor in early childhood education, Jenna’s preschool classroom always exhibits a beautiful artsy flair! After working in advertising and newspapers for several years, she had her first child and soon after rekindled her love of working with young children in school settings. She has been a preschool teacher since 2010, beginning at a local Waldorf-inspired cooperative preschool. The school closed for a year during the pandemic and during her search for new adventures, she remembered visiting a bright and beautiful school in Cambridge: our very own Newtowne School! Jenna has found the new exposure to the Reggio philosophy inspiring, and she especially enjoys being a part of our vibrant community of families and teachers. Jenna lives in Watertown with her two teenage children and a menagerie of pets, knitting, cooking and gardening whenever she gets the chance. You may find her visiting her large family in the Berkshires, walking in the woods with her dog, Louisa, or lounging on a sunny beach in the summertime.

Samantha (Sam) Liptak

purple fish teacher

Sam joined Newtowne in 2021, first as a teaching fellow and then as a lead teacher after graduating with her M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University in 2023. Sam started her teaching career while studying for her B.A. in Journalism and Environmental Science at American University where she worked with children in Washington, D.C., guiding them through local parks after school while teaching wilderness and survival skills. At Newtowne School, she loves working alongside families and seeing how hard the school strives to provide a warm, welcoming environment for all children to learn. Sam has taught in all the Newtowne classrooms, and enjoys seeing how much children grow each year – in terms of learning, social skills and height! She believes that children are intelligent and capable of guiding their learning and finds the Reggio Emilia approach provides the tools to hear children’s ideas and put them into action. Sam is inspired by the twists and turns a curriculum takes throughout the year, as children’s interests change. Sam is passionate about the environment and animals and loves spending time outside. In her spare time she loves running, hiking, skiing, hot yoga, and going to baseball games.

Jen Schreiner

Blue Otter teacheR

Jen has always worked in fields relating to children and families, starting her career studying to be a midwife and doula, working in public health, and teaching children’s yoga for almost two decades. Over the years, she has collaborated with the Boston Public Library, Head Start Centers and transitional living centers to provide culturally sensitive and inclusive movement and mindfulness programs for children and families. Jen has a bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies from Mount Holyoke College and graduated with a M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University in 2023. Jen first got interested in teaching after being a classroom helper at her daughter’s co-operative school in Boston. She was inspired to make a career change and started teaching in 2017. Jen joined Newtowne School in 2023 and is passionate about exploring, connecting and learning with the children and families at the school. When she’s not teaching, Jen loves traveling, reading, photography, camping, hiking and rock climbing with her family. She is also a core organizer for the Dorchester Community Fridge – a mutual aid project aimed at alleviating food insecurity in her community. She can be found cooking and dancing while listening to KCRW music shows in Dorchester where she lives with her husband and daughter.

Jenn (J) Guptill

Blue Otter teacheR

Jenn has been teaching in early childhood classrooms across Massachusetts for more than three decades. After nearly 10 years as a program director, she is thrilled to return to classroom teaching at Newtowne, where she can bring her love of dramatic play, music, and movement into children’s daily learning experiences. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Cambridge College and also studied Early Childhood Education at Wheelock. Central to Jenn’s teaching philosophy is the cultivation of socially and emotionally responsive classrooms, with strong community connections at the heart of her approach. Outside the classroom, she enjoys spending time in nature— especially by the ocean — collecting rocks, and caring for her pet turtle.

Vaidehi Desai

Green DragonFly teacher

Vaidehi first started working with young children in Mumbai, India where she was born and raised. In 2005, she moved to the United States for graduate school and earned an M.A. in Special Education from the University of Texas at Austin. Since then, she has worked as a special educator and an early childhood educator in different school settings across the United States, including the Boulder Journey School, where she taught while pursuing an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education with a focus on the Reggio Emilia approach. Newtowne’s commitment to inclusion and diversity appeals to Vaidehi, as she views all children as valuable citizens with inherent and undeniable rights. Vaidehi’s teaching is deeply rooted in Anti-Bias and Supportive Social Learning frameworks, which she believes help her critically evaluate her classroom practices and develop a strong image of the child and adults who are connected within a community of learners. Vaidehi is also kept busy by her own amazing and energetic sons, with whom she loves traveling and discovering natural wonders; as a family, they enjoy visiting at least one National Park every year to experience the marvels of the earth.

Maggie Oliver

Green DragonFly Teacher

As a proud 2019 Clemson University College of Education graduate, Maggie is a passionate teacher and a lifelong learner. She holds a B.A. in Elementary education with a background in both American Sign Language and the study of diversity, cultural and literature patterns in education. As an avid child advocate who wanted to focus on building relationships with the community, she discovered that the Reggio Emilia approach was a means for her to ask questions about the world around her while simultaneously being a guide for children as they engage with their evergrowing curiosity. She joined the Newtowne faculty in 2022 after teaching at another Reggio Emilia-inspired school for three years. As part of the Newtowne cooperative, she enjoys seeing families engage with the magical environment as their children participate in play and feel supported by the local community. Maggie enjoys spending time with her friends and family and can often be found running or hiking in the community.

Kari Sizemore

PINK Penguin Teacher

all-school teacher

Kari holds a B.A. in Spanish Education and has been teaching since 2008, beginning her career as a middle and high school Spanish teacher before discovering an excitement for early childhood after the birth of her daughter. She values the Reggio Emilia approach, how it centers children’s interests and highlights their capabilities and appreciates the power of documentation and making learning visible – and has recently begun exploring these ideas further through an M.Ed. program in Global Perspectives in Teaching, Curriculum, and Learning Environments at Boston College. Kari joined Newtowne in 2023 and especially enjoys working with toddlers, whose curiosity and big feelings bring joy and energy to the classroom. Outside of school, Kari enjoys reading, gardening (especially dahlias!), walking, and spending time with her family.

Erin Halvey

PINK penguin Teacher

all-school teacher

Erin holds degrees in History and Art History and History from Emory University, but her passion for early childhood led her to pursue additional training to earn her teaching certificate.  Before joining Newtowne, she worked as an outdoor playgroup educator, leading toddlers and preschoolers in explorations of the natural world. Erin first knew Newtowne as a parent member of the cooperative and was immediately inspired by the school’s warm, collaborative community and commitment to child-centered learning. She officially joined the faculty in 2025 and is excited to work across all classrooms, from the youngest Pink Penguins to the oldest Green Dragonflies, fostering connections throughout the school. Outside the classroom, Erin enjoys gardening, visiting museums, traveling, and spending time with her three black cats.

Juliana Fuchs

PINK penguin Teacher

all-school teacher

Erin holds degrees in History and Art History and History from Emory University, but her passion for early childhood led her to pursue additional training to earn her teaching certificate.  Before joining Newtowne, she worked as an outdoor playgroup educator, leading toddlers and preschoolers in explorations of the natural world. Erin first knew Newtowne as a parent member of the cooperative and was immediately inspired by the school’s warm, collaborative community and commitment to child-centered learning. She officially joined the faculty in 2025 and is excited to work across all classrooms, from the youngest Pink Penguins to the oldest Green Dragonflies, fostering connections throughout the school. Outside the classroom, Erin enjoys gardening, visiting museums, traveling, and spending time with her three black cats.

Kanako Katsumi

all-school teacher

Kanako was born and raised in Japan and moved to the United States in 2009. She has worked with young children in both countries, always fascinated by their creative imagination and curious eyes.  She has a unique early childhood training background, including qualifications in infant massage and baby yoga.  Her desire to learn more about preschool education led her to apply for the City of Cambridge’s CDA program, where she interned at Newtowne and began her journey as a Reggio-inspired educator in 2023.  Kanako has a teenage daughter and in her free time, she enjoys going on nature walks with her family.

Alastair Moock

MUSIC Specialist

Alastair is a renowned singer-songwriter who has toured in the US and Europe, celebrating the roots of American music while blending genres and musical traditions. When his twins were born, he shifted his focus to children’s music. Alastair believes in the power of music to reach others and teach others, and uses his songs and storytelling to support young children’s understandings of civil rights, social justice, and anti-racism. He is the recipient of the ASCAP Joe Raposo Children’s Music Award, a three-time Parents’ Choice Gold Medal Winner, and a 2013 GRAMMY Nominee. In his first year at Newtowne, Alastair has shown some true Reggio-spirit through his songwriting collaborations with students in all four classrooms.

Listen to an excerpt from the song ‘Love Grows’, written with guest lyricists from the 2021-2022 Green Dragonfly class!

Enlin

All-School Puppet

Enlin is a mouse puppet who came to Newtowne with her friend Ben this September. Previously, Enlin traveled around the world, telling stories and helping make connections between young people and adults (preschoolers will often talk to a puppet before engaging with an unfamiliar adult). At Newtowne, Enlin enjoys visiting all the classrooms, hanging out in the studio, distributing mouse kisses, and eating the imaginary cheese the children are constantly bringing her.

Chris Toon

teaching fellow

Chris first experienced progressive education at Newtowne, where he completed his CDA internship. Struck by the contrast between what he observed at Newtowne and his own public school experiences as a child, he was inspired to learn more and eventually joined Newtowne’s Teaching Fellowship program. Chris earned his B.A. in Psychology from California State Polytechnic University in 2017 and has worked in a variety of educational settings across Cambridge, including the Cambridgeport Afterschool Program and as a Paraprofessional in a CPS Special Start classroom. He is currently pursuing an M.A. in Early Childhood Education at Lesley University. Outside of school, Chris enjoys spending time with his nephew, playing board and video games with friends, and catching up on sleep.

Elena Lapa

teaching fellow

Elena received her bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Connecticut in 2022, where she had experience as an Assistant Toddler Teacher at the UConn Child Development Labs. Elena joined Newtowne School in 2024 and is now completing her second year at Newtowne as a Teaching Fellow and completing her M.A. in Early Childhood Education at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Elena is excited to experience looping up with some of her students that she already knows from last year and seeing how those relationships ground new learning experiences in the coming year.  Beyond Newtowne, Elena loves to travel and spend her free time exploring new places and hanging out with family and friends. 

Frances (Franny) Alani

teaching fellow

Franny was first introduced to the Reggio Emilia philosophy while teaching at a Jewish Community Center in Colorado. She was immediately drawn to the idea of learning as a co-constructed process and to the metaphor of the hundred languages, and has been incorporating these ideas in her teaching ever since. For the past five years, she has worked in Reggio Emilia–inspired schools, deepening her love for early childhood education. Franny holds a B.A. in Psychology and Visual Studies from Cornell University and is currently enrolled in a Master’s program in Child Studies and Human Development at Tufts University. In her free time, she enjoys long walks, community organizing, ice skating, and reading in the park with friends.

Samantha (Sam) Zheng

teaching fellow

Sam began her early childhood career as an English teacher at an international kindergarten in China, where she worked in a setting influenced by Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and nature-based approaches. Because these international methods were unfamiliar to many parents, she found herself navigating cultural expectations while introducing new educational perspectives, an experience that shaped her interest in progressive early childhood education. Inspired to deepen her knowledge, Sam joined Newtowne’s Fellowship program and is pursuing her M.A. in Early Education at Boston University. She is also an accomplished violinist and enjoys spending time outdoors with her two young sons.