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 a Certificate in Early Education Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has worked in Reggio Emilia-inspired schools throughout the Greater Boston area since 2014, beginning her career as a classroom teacher before discovering her passion for early childhood leadership and cultivating strong school communities. After more than seven years in the classroom, Melanie earned her Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care Director Certification and joined Newtowne in 2021. In her role as Operations Manager and Summer Program Director, Melanie draws on her years of classroom experience and school leadership to help shape a thoughtful and connected school community.  She is especially passionate about supporting the teachers and systems that help a school thrive. Melanie feels grateful to be part of Newtowne’s cooperative community and treasures the relationships she has built with children, families, and colleagues over the years. Outside of Newtowne, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

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.

Emily Yaffe

Blue oTTER teacher

Bio Coming Soon!

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

Maggie earned her B.A. in Elementary Education from Clemson University, with a background in literacy and American Sign Language, and a M.A in Global Curriculum Studies from Boston University. She has extensive experience in Reggio Emilia–inspired education and is particularly interested in the intersection of the arts, creativity, and learning. Maggie is inspired by the Reggio Emilia image of the child and the many ways children communicate, explore, and make meaning through their “hundred languages.” Her work is also grounded in Anti-Bias Education, with a focus on creating thoughtful, accessible environments that honor children’s identities, perspectives, and ways of engaging with the world. At Newtowne, Maggie values building strong relationships with children, families, and the broader community. Outside of school, she enjoys playing her ukulele, creating, hiking, and running.

Erin Halvey

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 first came to the U.S. in 2001 as an au pair after graduating from college. Caring for young children sparked her interest in early childhood education, which she continued exploring after returning to Japan through work as a caretaker and teacher, as well as study with educators focused on Japanese nature-based approaches that nurture children’s sense of self and connection to the world around them. In 2009, Kanako moved to Cambridge. Raising her daughter deepened her appreciation for caring communities where children feel safe, trusted, and supported. She later joined the Cambridge CDA program, interned at Newtowne, and began her journey as a Reggio-inspired educator in 2023. Kanako values the cross-cultural experiences that have shaped her approach to early childhood education. Outside the classroom, she enjoys knitting, traveling, baking, and walking with her family.

Juliana Fuchs

PINK penguin Teacher

Juliana joined Newtowne in 2025 and is excited to return to the classroom after serving as an independent school Admissions Coordinator for four years. She has taught in several different progressive schools and is especially drawn to Reggio Emilia–inspired programs, which honor childhood and view children as capable, curious constructors of knowledge. Juliana holds an M.S.Ed. in Childhood Special and General Education from Bank Street College of Education. When not at school, she enjoys exploring new playgrounds with her family.

Sarahbean Falo

PINK penguin Teacher

Sarahbean is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor,  AMI-certified 0-3 Montessori Guide and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist She holds an M.A. in Expressive Therapies and Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University. Her Montessori training shares deep roots with Newtowne’s Reggio-inspired approach to early learning: child-led exploration, careful observation, and honoring children as complete world citizens. Sarahbean first came to know Newtowne in 2021 as a child specialist with the Early Years Project, working closely with classrooms, administration, and families to support children’s optimal development. She is delighted to return as a Pink Penguins Teacher, where she loves watching young children build trust, find their own rhythm, and make sense of the world through play. Outside of work, you’ll find her eating gluten-free cupcakes, tending her houseplants, and listening to soul and funk mix tapes. You can learn more about her practice and approach at www.sarahbean.co

Alastair Moock

MUSIC Specialist

Alastair is a renowned singer-songwriter who has toured throughout the US, Europe, and Asia, celebrating the roots of American music while blending genres and musical traditions. When his twin kids were born in 2006, he shifted attention to children’s music, focusing much of his songwriting on building young children’s understanding 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 for Best Children's Album. He politely declined a second Grammy nomination in 2020 due to what he deemed historical underrepresentation for women and artists of color. In 2021, he co-founded The Opening Doors Project, an educational organization dedicated to "amplifying voices of color and advancing interracial conversations about race through the arts." 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!

Gracie Walters

teaching fellow

Gracie was first drawn to the Reggio Emilia approach while interning with the Family, Learning, and Engagement Department at deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, MA. There, she was inspired by the ways children used open-ended materials and the natural landscape to explore ideas, develop schemas, and create imaginative worlds. Before joining Newtowne as a fellow, Gracie worked as a support teacher, atelierista, and pedagogical coach at various Reggio-inspired schools throughout the Greater Boston area. These experiences deepened her practice in documentation, creative expression, and learning through children’s questions and ideas. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Early Childhood Education at Boston University and is excited to continue growing as an educator alongside the Newtowne community.

Gavilán Rivas-Chávez

teaching fellow

Gavilán first discovered their interest in education while working as a substitute teacher alongside their mom. As an avid outdoor enthusiast, they went on to work as a Bilingual Garden Educator with CitySprouts, partnering with Boston and Cambridge Public Schools to help children explore the natural world. They especially enjoyed working with the youngest learners, whose energy, enthusiasm, and sense of wonder inspired them to pursue early childhood education. Gavilán went on to earn a Child Development Associate Credential through the City of Cambridge and completed an internship at Newtowne while pursuing their CDA. They were drawn to Newtowne’s child-led approach to learning, which nurtures children’s curiosity and creativity while fostering a connection to the natural world. Now a Teaching Fellow at Newtowne, Gavilán is excited to continue growing as an educator alongside the school community while pursuing their Master’s in Early Childhood Education at Boston University.

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) Bates

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.

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.