Faculty

Contents

1 All School Faculty
2 High School Faculty
3 Middle School Faculty
4 Staff

For contact information, please go to the staff directory.

All School Faculty

Eric Graber	School Psychologist	Eric Graber received his B.A in Psychology from Boston University in 2006 and his M.A./Ed.S. in School Psychology from Tufts University in 2010. During his time at Tufts University, he completed school psychology internships at Concord Carlisle High School and in the Lynnfield Public Schools. Eric joined Innovation Academy as our school psychologist in 2010.
Walter Landberg	Executive Director	Walter Landberg has served as the Executive Director at Innovation Academy since the 2001-2002 school year, leading the growth of the school from a 175 student 5-8 middle school to the current 600 student 5-12 program. Walter taught 7th and 8th grade Humanities at IACS prior to his appointment to the role of Executive Director. Also, while at IACS, Walter has taught a course of middle school math, a high school seminar and coached the middle school basketball team. Walter began his career through Teach For America (TFA), teaching 1st and 2nd grades in Oakland, California and working as an advisor and school director at the summer institute program for TFA new corps members. Prior to returning to New England for graduate school, Walter taught 3rd grade Math and Science at the Campbell Hall School in North Hollywood, California. Walter received his undergraduate degree in Sociology from the College of the Holy Cross and a Master of Education degree from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. Walter can be reached via email at wlandberg@innovationcharter.org or by phone at 978-649-0432, ext. 2217.
Gayle Nutile-Pimm	Health and Wellness Coordinator	Gayle received her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from the University of Rochester and her Master’s degree from Boston College. She first became involved in the school as a parent and joined the staff as School Nurse/Health Educator in 2001. In her current role as Health and Wellness Coordinator Gayle oversees the health office and the health education program for both the middle school as well as the high school. When not at work she enjoys spending time running, biking or participating in almost any type of outdoor activity.
Aimee Voleti	Director of Student Services	Aimee Voleti has served as Director of Student Services since the fall of 2008. She began working at IACS in 2003 as a Student Services teacher and also served as a mentor to new Student Services teachers. She received her BA in Political Science from Tufts University, and her M Ed from Boston College. Assisting teachers in supporting students in the most inclusive setting is an area of interest for her. Mrs. Voleti runs the Middle School Comic Club.

High School Faculty

Sharon Boonstra	Counselor	Sharon received her Bachelor's degree from Northeastern University and is currently completing her Master's degree in School Counseling at Rivier College. While staying home raising her two children, Sharon was a member of the Westford School Committee for 11 years. With college bills looming, she accepted a position as a National Account Manager for a financial services firm. After several years in corporate America, the calling to return to education became irresistible and she took the leap to change careers. Sharon left her job, returned to school and joined IACS in 2009 as a Student Services Aide in grades 7 and 8. She joined the high school community as a school counselor in 2010. In her spare time, Sharon enjoys reading and, having grown up on the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan, spends as much time at the ocean as possible, preferably on a sail boat.
Kellie Burtch	Biology	Kellie Burtch began working as an educator after earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and spending time as a kayak guide in New England and a wilderness guide in Colorado. In addition, Kellie has expeirence as a research assistant with the U.S. Geological Survey and the Bureau of Land Management in remote locations in the Alaskan Arctic and the deserts of California. After this work, Kellie completed her Master’s Degree in Environmental Education. She joined Innovation Academy in 2008. During her summers, she continues to seek out professional development opportunities by studying urban ecology at Boston College and serving as a research assistant with Northeastern University. Kellie enjoys sharing her love of the outdoors with students at IACS on the amazing two hundred acre campus. She teaches biology, environmental/earth science electives, and anatomy and physiology.
William Carvajal	Spanish	William was born and raised in the Venezuela. After obtaining a “Licenciatura en Educación” (equivalent to a four-year college degree in USA) he moved to Trinidad and Tobago and enrolled in an ESL Teacher Training at Caribbean Union College. Not long later, he began his career in education teaching English as a Second Language at the Colombian American Center in Colombia. While there, he also worked for five years as a High School teacher at one of the top accredited traditional schools in the country. Since coming to the United States in 2005, he has received an Associate Degree in Elementary Education from Middlesex Community College and a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Arts from Atlantic Union College in Lancaster, Mass. He has also taught Spanish at Ferryway High School in Malden, MA and other institutions in the Boston Area. William joined IACS in 2010 as a Spanish teacher.
Ryan Deery	English
Chris DiCarlo	Physics	Chris DiCarlo received a Bachelor of Science degree in Math and Civil Engineering, and a Master of Science degree in Structural Engineering from Tufts University. He worked in structural engineering before deciding to become a teacher. Chris joined Innovation Academy in 2010 as a physics teacher. Drawing on his professional experience, he works to help students connect the basic concepts of physics to real-world situations
Ben Einsidler	Spanish	Ben grew up in Maryland and attended Salisbury University, where he received a B.A. in Spanish and also studied international relations. Prior to coming to Innovation Academy, he taught Spanish at Boston College and worked for NETC, an educational international travel company for students. Ben joined Innovation Academy in 2010.
Andrew Frankhouse	Music
John Frothingham	Math	John joined Innovation Academy after working at the Francis W. Parker Charter school in Devens. Previous to teaching, John worked in industry for over twenty years where he held responsible positions in both large and small companies (Polaroid, Kodak, CMGI, etc.) developing new products, managing sales and operating his own international business. When industry no longer offered intrinsic rewards, he was ready for a change. His new journey began six years ago when he started substitute teaching, confirming how much he enjoyed working with kids. Since then, he has acquired his teaching certification. John earned an electrical engineering degree from Duke University. For twenty years, he has lived locally in Harvard, MA with his wife and two daughters. He enjoys skiing, biking, astronomy, singing and family activities.
Suzanne Hickey	Math	Suzanne Hickey earned a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics with minors in statistics and literature from the University of Rhode Island. While working as a research scientist for the navy, she earned her Masters degree in Electrical Engineering. Her job titles have included mathematician, scientist, electrical engineer, signal processing engineer, software engineer, mom and math teacher. Ms. Hickey joined IACS as a founding member of the high school in 2007 with an interest in helping all students to be successful at math. Ms. Hickey has 3 teenage children and lives with her husband in Townsend Ma. Her newest interest is taking windjammer cruises off the coast of Maine on a boat filled with expert knitters
Thomas Hinkle	Spanish English Technology	Tom Hinkle came to IACS as one of the founding teachers of the new high school in 2007. Tom came to the school with an M.A.T. in the Teaching of English and a A.B. in Comparative Literature from Brown University and 5 years of experience teaching Spanish, English and Computer Science. From the beginning, Tom has played a dual role leading the Spanish department and assisting the English department in the High School. Beginning in 2008, Tom took on the role of I.T. Coordinator, managing computer technology at the school. Tom has also worked with students on a variety of extracurriculars including computer programming, writing and recording songs, and putting together the school literary magazine.
Marylou Johnson	Student Services
Stephanie Kelly	Math	Stephanie Kelly earned a Bachelor's degree from UMass @ Amherst for mathematics. After graduation, she pursued work in the catastrophe modeling department of a local insurance company and began pursuing her actuarial credentials. After a few years working in the insurance industry, Stephanie transitioned out of the corporate world and enrolled in the Masters of Education program at Lesley University. A founding member of the high school, she has taught mathematics courses at each grade level and advises the school's Yearbook staff
Shannon Morocco	History	Shannon Morocco received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Boston College. After graduating, she volunteered for a year in Baltimore, MD teaching GED classes to the urban poor as a member of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. Shannon joined Innovation Academy in 2007 through the New Teachers Collaborative Program. She has worked with students to establish a Student Government.
Celine Nader	English	Celine Nader graduated from Clark University with a BA in Spanish Language & Literature and International Development, and later from the University of Massachusetts, Boston with an MA in American Studies with a focus on Cultural History. She has taught at Southbridge High School in Massachusetts, and most recently at two high schools in western Spain. Additionally, she has worked with Citizen Schools and Advantage Testing. She joined Innovation Academy's English Department in 2010.
Neal Onos	Student Services	Neal is a graduate of Salem State College, with a major in Sociology and Minor in Criminal Justice. After spending close to seven years in the sales industry, he changed his career path to teaching. The last two years, he worked for the Dracut Public School system, within their Special Education department. He lives in Dracut with his wife of four years, their dog, and two cats. He is currently pursuing his Masters degree in Special Education at Rivier College, in Nashua, New Hampshire. In addition to spending time with his wife and pets, he also enjoys being around his five older sisters and thirteen nieces and nephews. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, skiing, hiking, snow-shoeing and enjoying the great outdoors.
Greg Orpen	Principal	After graduating from Trinity College (B.S. in Biology) and the Harvard Graduate School of Education (M.Ed. in Teaching & Learning), Greg came to Innovation Academy in the summer of 2000. A wearer of many "hats", he has taught at both the middle and high school, been a mentor for the New Teachers Collaborative, and coordinated our school's Systems Thinking program. His favorite student-centered experiences at IACS have been teaching science, traveling off campus, and sharing his diminishing athletic skills.
Oliver Renau	Engineering	Oliver Renau graduated in 2005 from the University of Toronto with an Honors Bachelor of Science in psychology and sociology with a minor in bioethics. After graduating, he returned to his previous work in residential education, working as a program manager before joining IACS in 2008. Oliver spent his first two years at IACS working in student services, co-teaching math and science classes. In his third year at IACS, Oliver teaches 9th grade engineering, leads the science department’s honors program and is the head coach of the varsity basketball team.
Emily Richardson	English	Emily Richardson earned her Bachelor's degree from Hampshire College in Amherst, MA. While at Hampshire, she studied literature and designed her own interdisciplinary major, The Relationship Between Author, Reader, Culture, History, and Text. She came to IACS as one of the founding teachers of the new high school in 2007. That year, she was a member of the New Teachers' Collaborative, a program that leads to teacher certification. Since joining the high school staff, she has taught English at every grade level. She advises The Innovator, the school's newspaper, and is leading the development and implementation of Senior Project. Emily is also heavily involved with Destination Imagination, a creative problem solving program for youth.
Rose Ruback	History	Rose earned her Bachelor's Degree in History from Harvard College. While at Harvard, she completed the Undergraduate Teacher Education Program. Prior to joining Innovation Academy in 2010, she student taught at the Graham and Parks Alternative Public School in Cambridge. She is currently working with students to develop the Student Activities Committee.
David Smith	History
Jennifer Warren	Director of College Counseling	Jennifer Warren has served as the Director of College Counseling at Innovation Academy since July 2009. She previously taught both elementary and secondary school history through Teach for America in both Texas and Washington, D.C. Jennifer holds a Masters degree in School Counseling from Boston University and a Masters degree in Teaching from American University. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA.

Middle School Faculty

Carrie Anderson	5/6 ELA	Carrie received her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing Management from Siena College and a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Hartford. Before joining the IACS team, Carrie had taught in Hartford, CT and Brookline, MA. Carrie came to IACS 2008 as the 5th grade Student Services liaison. In 2009, Carrie changed roles and became one of the 5/6 ELA teachers. She has also coached basketball and soccer at IACS.
Erin Attfield Quinlan	Middle School Principal for Teacher Performance and Student Assessment	Erin Attfield Quinlan joined the staff of Murdoch Middle School in 2002 as a 7/8 Social Studies and ELA teacher after completing three years as a special education and music teacher in rural Louisiana through Teach For America. Following the year in the classroom, Erin became the Assistant Director of the middle school, eventually moving into two other administrative roles including the Dean of Students from 2005-2009 and 5/6 Middle School Principal in 2009-2010. This year, she serves as the Middle School Principal for Teacher Performance and Student Assessment working with the Middle School Principals of 5/6 and 7/8 to ensure that teachers and students have what they need to be successful. Erin has a B.S. from Gettysburg College in Music Education with voice concentration and an M.Ed. from UMass, Lowell in Educational Administration.
MaryPat Beatty	Student Services
Carolyn Caffrey	Student Services	As a Senior at Boston College, Carolyn Caffrey began her career as a teacher in Geneva Switzerland. After five years in Sales and Marketing, she spent the next ten years raising her family during which time she returned to Lesley University for her Masters of Education in Special Education. She has been teaching at Innovation Academy since 2007, as a 5/6 Student Services Teacher. Carolyn is an assistant coach for Cross Country, Middle School Boys Basketball and Track and Field.
Pamela Coe	Student Services	Pam Coe joined IACS in 2004 as a Student Services Aide for grades 5 through 8. Prior to that time, she worked for nearly 20 years in the corporate world serving in a variety of roles. She is a graduate of UMass Lowell with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Legal Studies. Outside of school, Pam enjoys spending time with her family and watching foreign films. She grew up in Billerica and has lived in the Merrimack Valley for her entire life.
Michael Edwards	7/8 Science	Michael received a Bachelor's degree in Biology from Merrimack College and then worked as an environmental consultant for two years. His Master's degree in Biology was earned from Central Michigan University where he did a research thesis on the invasive Alewife (fish) in Lake Michigan and its effects on native fish species. He has participated in field ecology classes in the countries of Belize, Guatemala, Brazil, and Tanzania and always tries to include what he learned in his teaching. His middle school teaching career began as a science teacher at the Tyngsborough Middle School where he worked for 8 years before joining Innovation Academy in 2010.
Gail Falewicz	Math Enrichment ELL	Gail received a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Bentley University. She worked in the business industry before deciding to pursue a career in education. She completed her Master of Elementary Education from Cambridge College. Her teaching experience includes the Billerica and Dracut school systems. Most recently, she taught preschool in a Reggio Emilia inspired school in Lexington. She joined IACS in 2010 as a Math Enrichment teacher and ELL coordinator. Her twins are currently in seventh grade at IACS.
Mary Gaynor	Student Services	Mary has been with IACS as a student Service aide since the spring of 2007, working first with the 7 and 8 graders. She now works with grades 5 and 6. When not helping out in the classroom Mary can be found teaching drivers education. She has a daughter who has attended the school since 5th grade and is in the first graduating class of 2011.
Sarah Goucher	Student Services
Diane Grove	5/6 Math	Diane is a certified elementary teacher with her Masters in Education from University of Houston and Bachelors in Computer Science from Tufts University. She began teaching at IACS in 2005
Rhonda Hawthorne	Spanish	Rhonda has been teaching Spanish and Drama for 12 years, for the last four years at Innovation Academy. She graduated in 1998 from Eastern Nazarene College and continued her studies in Latin American Literature and Drama at the University of San Jose, Costa Rica. After graduating from that program, Rhonda taught in primary and secondary schools in Guatemala, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Rhonda has directed drama in the Creative Arts program at Tufts University, the Meadow Breeze Program, the Westford public middle schools, Lexington Christian Academy, Broadway Arts Academy, the IACS Summer Drama Camp, and now at Innovation Academy High School. Rhonda was part of the founding team of a public school in Lagos, Nigeria where she helped to build the school and then taught there. Rhonda has enjoyed studying and performing in the Harvard University Drama Program. Outside of school Rhonda likes to dance, swim and spend as much time as possible with her husband and their daughter.
Giancarla Kalpas	5/6 Math	Giancarla Kalpas has worked at Innovation Academy since 2002. She began her work here as a teacher aide and then participated in the New Teachers Collaborative program for new teachers in 2008 as a science teacher. Beginning in 2009 she has worked as a math teacher. Giancarla has a degree from the University of Bologna (Italy) in Mathematics. Outside of the classroom, she has taught students knitting and is actively involved in bluebird conservation.
Melissa Kapeckas	5/6 Principal	After graduating from Tufts University with a degree in Biology and Spanish, Melissa spent the past thirteen years working in a variety of roles in the middle school setting, including as a principal, teacher, coach, and curriculum coordinator. Melissa returned to Tufts University to earn her Master’s Degree in Teaching Science, and is currently enrolled in a program to earn her administrator’s license with the Massachusetts Elementary School Principals’ Association. She enjoys traveling to experience other cultures, visit other ecosystems, and practice language skills. She has had the pleasure of traveling with students and teachers on several occasions, including two trips to Costa Rica with families from IACS. In 2003, she was selected to participate in the JASON XV expedition at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama. She worked with students and leading researchers on a scientific expedition broadcast live via satellite and distance-learning technologies to millions of students around the world. In 2009, she was selected as an Earthwatch fellow to participate in a sustainable agriculture research project that worked with coffee cooperatives in Costa Rica. She shared her experience with IACS students through an interactive blog and presentations. Melissa is a passionate life-long learner, and encourages the same in her students.
Sara Krakauer	5/6 Social Studies	Sara Krakauer has been teaching social studies at Innovation Academy since 2003. Prior to making the leap into charter school teaching, she taught in several private and alternative settings. Particularly interested in experiential education and global studies, Sara has taught American students traveling out of the classroom, as well as students in India, Mali, and Guatemala. She is a graduate of Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy, and also enjoys music, creative writing, community service, and balloon twisting.
Kimberly Knight	Reading Specialist	Kimberly Knight joined the Innovation Academy staff in 2009 as the reading specialist for the middle school and high school. She received her B.A. in English from Boston College and her M.A.T from Boston University. Over the past two decades, she has been privileged to teach students of many different ages and backgrounds. She has worked as a high school English teacher, an adult ELL teacher in Lowell, a director of a tutoring program for elementary and middle school students in Boston and a homeschooling mom. When she is not reading or thinking about reading, she enjoys swimming, kayaking and playing word games with her family.
Charlene LaRoche	5/6 Math	Charlene La Roche joined the IACS community (previously the Chelmsford Public Charter School) in its founding year as the parent of a sixth grader. She has taught a number of subjects in her fourteen years at IACS beginning with language arts, and then moving into the areas of science and math. Prior to entering the field of education, she was employed at Massachusetts General Hospital doing clinical vascular research. She earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Zoology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and a Masters of Business Administration from Boston University. She is currently serving as a mentor for the New Teachers Collaborative.
Darin Leedberg	7/8 Math	Darin has been teaching at Innovation Academy since 2008. Prior to this he was a clinician working with developmentally disabled adults. Darin attended UMASS Lowell, where he received a BAS (psychology) in 1995. In 2006, he started graduate school at Cambridge College, where he is currently working towards obtaining my MEd. (mathematics). He is currently the MS girl's soccer coach at IACS, and has been coaching girls soccer on and off for many years. Darin has 3 daughters that attend Innovation Academy.
Katy Lianos	5/6 Social Stu	2010 marks Katy Lianos' 10th year of teaching. She has taught in several districts throughout her career, in both Massachusetts (Lexington, Andover, Lawrence, and IACS) and in New Hampshire (Bedford, Washington) and has taught every grade from Pre-K to 6th, except for 2nd grade. She has also worked as a small group Reading Teacher and a teacher in a school for students with Autism and violent behaviors. Katy has her Bachelor’s of Science in Child and Family Studies from the University of New Hampshire, her Master’s of Arts in Teaching from Pre-K-5 from Tufts University, her Master’s of Science in National Community Economic Development from Southern NH University, and her M.B.A. with a concentration in the Global Market from Southern NH University. She taught 5/6 ELA for two years at IACS, took a year off to work at FIRST Robotics, and, in 2009, returned to teach Social Studies at IACS. Katy has worked with middle school students outside of school in the Robotics club and in a fashion design club.
David Maier	5/6 Science	Dave Maier came to IACS in 2007 after teaching elementary school in Indianapolis. He graduated with his BA from Indiana University Purdue University of Indianapolis and is pursuing his masters degree from IUPUI as well. In 2010, David joined the coaching ranks as he works with the 5th grade boys basketball team.
Andrea McFeeley	Student Services	Andrea McFeeley joined the student services team at IACS in 2010. Before serving Innovation Academy professionally, she has been involved at the school as a parent and volunteer since 2004. The love of learning is something Andrea has shared with many students over the years. Whether teaching early childhood education, horseback riding, cosmetology, religious education, or artistic expression, teaching students and learning from them has always been a common thread. Andrea enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and being outdoors whenever possible. She was originally from Medford, but has called Billerica her home since 1989.
Nolan McKinnon	Challenge/Health
Martha McLure	7/8 Social Studies	Martha has been teaching fourteen years in public charter schools, most recently for the past three years at IACS. Martha spent time in high school as an American Field Service student in Singapore, attended the Universite of Nice (France) and Middlebury College for Mandarin Chinese before graduating from the University of Vermont, She received her Masters in Education from Lesley College in the Creative Arts in Learning Program where she focused on multicultural education. Martha has taught English Language Arts, Humanities, and Social Studies. Martha's earlier professional career included working for the Smithsonian Institution before she established the Asian Department for an educational and cultural tour operator, and she has served as an elected official in her hometown of Groton. Her most recent travel experience was spending a month in Turkey on a Fulbright-Hays Grant, where she reserached and wrote a curriculum on Troy (or Hisarlik as the Turks call it). She has two grown daughters and many "live lawn ornaments" with a colorful flock of ducks, geese, peacocks and chickens! Martha ran the animal club at IACS last year, and loves to help out with costuming for the school plays.
Kathryn Muhigi	Student Services
Raymond O'Donnell	7/8 Math Enrichment	Ray O'Donnell has a degree in Liberal Arts from the University of Cincinnati. He joined Innovation Academy in 2008 after working as a substitute teacher in the Lexington Public schools. Ray is a coach for the girls 7/8 basketball team and 6/8 boys soccer team.
Jason O'Neil Willoughby	7/8 Social Studies	Jason earned a bachelor's degree in Sociology from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA in 1998. He entered a PhD program in Sociology at the University of California at Los Angeles, but quickly realized that he preferred teaching to research. He began working at IACS in 2008 with the New Teachers' Collaborative. From 2008 to 2010 he ran the chess and game club, but in 2010, he took over the IACS National History Day club to help IACS students prepare for this exciting competition.
Mairead Orpen	5/6 ELA Area Lead Teacher	Mairead Orpen is a Holy Cross Crusader alum who loved Massachusetts so much she now calls it home. Before joining the staff at Innovation Academy (then Murdoch Middle Charter Public School) in 2003, she student taught in the Worcester Public School system in grades 8, 10, and 11. She went on to earn her Masters in Education at Lesley University through the Teacher Training Course at Shady Hill School in Cambridge, MA where she co-taught grades 3 and 6. Outside of the classroom, she can be found coaching the high school girls soccer team and sharing her love of root words with everyone around.
Amy Paquette
Mary Patterson	5/6 Science	Mary Patterson joined the staff of Innovation in 2010 as a 5/6 grade Science teacher for the Effective Communication Team. She has been involved in education, specifically environmental education, for over 7 years. After receiving her bachelors degree in Geosciences from Skidmore College, she worked in a plethora of natural settings, including as a naturalist through Americorps, out on the Colorado prairie, as well as an educator on the salt marshes of Rhode Island. She loves being outside and adores traveling. She has a passion for science only rivaled by her passion for singing and playing guitar.
Zachary Pelham	Art	Zach earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Hartford Art School and has been teaching at Innovation Academy since 2009. He is a working artist and also teaches at the Danforth Museum School, and the Fitchburg Art Museum.
Federico Pereyra	7/8 Math	Federico Pereyra joined the IACS staff in 2008 as a part time math teacher. In 2009 he became a full-time 7th and 8th grade math teacher. Freddy received his B.A. from Ithaca College in 2004, where he majored in Computer & Information Systems. Freddy taught abroad in the Dominican Republic from 2005-2008. He taught computer science, algebra I, and algebra II at schools with a U.S.-based curriculum. Freddy is the head cross country coach at IACS, leading the program in its inaugural season. Prior to coaching at IACS, Freddy served for two years as the boys’ and girls’ assistant track coach at Nashua South High School.
Samantha Pereyra	7/8 English	Samantha attended Ithaca College, where she received a B.A. in English. After taking a few education classes as electives, she caught the teaching bug and went on to get an M.S.Ed. from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY. After student teaching in the Albany area for a year, she decided to teach for a year abroad. She joined a team of founding teachers at a newly built school in the Dominican Republic, where she taught ELA for grades 6-9 to students with a wide range of English language abilities. In 2008, she began working at IACS where she is currently a 7/8 ELA teacher. After school, she helps out at high school play rehearsals.
Elizabeth Quirbach-McCarthy	Student Services	Elizabeth McCarthy joined IACS in 2009 as a Special Services Teacher for 7th and 8th grade. She attended the University of Massachusetts at Lowell earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. After holding several management positions in the banking industry including the areas of commercial and residential lending, Elizabeth realized through many volunteer opportunities in her local schools that she had a passion for education. She appreciates each student’s learning differences and is committed to designing and implementing instructional activities that enhance maximum performance. She has completed the required courses leading to a Master’s degree in Special Education for students with Moderate Disabilities grades K-8 from Lesley University.
Margaret Scarsdale		Margaret earned her B.A. in American Studies (with a triple minor in Peace and Conflict Studies, Sociology, and English) from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. She published a socio-historic calendar about the United States in 2007, and published a social justice calendar in 2008 with world-acclaimed NYC artist Luba Lukova. Prior to finding her love of teaching, Margaret enjoyed working at her own writing company, which she has run for over twenty years. Margaret is on staff at Innovation Academy Charter School for 2010 through the New Teachers Collaborative, a teacher training hub that champions the love of learning for all students
Jennifer Shaby	Art	Jennifer received her Masters in Education through the Creative Arts in Learning program at Lesley University in 2000. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Vermont in 1993 (B.A. in Communication Science and Disorders). Between UVM and Lesley, she worked in a variety of educational settings serving infants through adults in both Vermont and Massachusetts. Jennifer has enjoyed teaching at IACS since 2000.
Margaret Stevens-North	Student Services	Peggy Stevens-North earned a B.A. in Government from the College of William and Mary, and earned an award for playwriting. She worked in Williamsburg for three more years after graduation. With the birth of twins she threw herself into parenting and spent the next 18 years working with children and youth as a support group facilitator, homeschooler, Religious Education teacher, theatre director, youth mentor and Girl Scout leader. Her involvement with IACS, known at the time as The Chelmsford Charter School, began in 1999 as a parent when her older daughters entered 8th Grade. At that time she volunteered in the office and library and as a subtitute teacher. In 2003 she began work as a classroom aide. Her classroom experience has been varied in depth and breadth, supporting classes in Math, Science, Humanities, and Spanish, working as a long-term substitute in science in 2008. In her eleven years with IACS, she have seen the school through two names changes, two Department of Education Charter Renewals, two building changes, and two expansions: adding the high school and expanding the middle school.
Phyllis Trincia	Student Services
Nancy Tripp	School Social Worker	Nancy Tripp, MSW, LICSW is a clinical social worker with over 25 years experience working with adolescents and families. She holds an undergraduate degree in Education and a graduate degree in Clinical Social Work. Nancy has been with the Innovation community since 1998 offering clinical, educational, parenting, resource and advocacy support to our students, families and faculty. Nancy is licensed through the Board of Registration of Social Workers as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and is a member of the National Association of Social Workers. She also holds an Educator’s License through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as a School Social Worker/Adjustment Counselor for all grade levels. Nancy has work experience with the Department of Youth Services, the Department of Children and Families, the Juvenile Justice System, specialized foster care, as well as inpatient psychiatric care and residential mental health treatment at McLean Hospital. Nancy uses a variety of evidence-based practices and holistic approaches focusing on strength-based, solution-focused interventions in efforts to build resiliency, strengthen coping and problem-solving skills and enhance individual, family and community well-being.
Ashley Uyaguari	Spanish	Ashley Uyaguari graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan with a BA in Spanish and Religion Education in 2006. In Michigan, Ashley was very involved in her community, and was a middle school youth group coordinator, paving the way for her passion for education. In 2007, Ashley returned to New England to teach Spanish at Alvirne High school in Hudson, NH. After that, Ashley had the opportunity to spend a year living in Ecuador. She taught English as a foreign language in Gualaquiza, Ecuador. Being immersed in the culture of Ecuador strengthened her Spanish speaking skills and increased her familiarity with the target culture. In 2010, she joined Innovation to teach Middle School Spanish.

Staff

Ann Cottle	Business Office manager	After many years as a parent volunteer, Ann joined the IACS staff in 2007 as Assistant to the Executive Director. She now serves as the IACS Business Manager. Ann received her B.S. in Accounting and Finance from UMass Lowell. Before beginning her career at IACS, Ann was a founding member of the Innovation Academy Community Association and served as treasurer for the IACA for two years. Ann has also worked as an accountant in the private industry and other non-profits.
Karen Drake	Director of Lunch program. Assistant to HS Principals.	Karen Drake came to Innovation Academy in 2008 to coordinate the lunch program for the school at our then new Tyngsboro facility. Karen has a BS in Business Management from Merrimack College and has worked in business as a Financial Analyst and a small business owner.
Robert Feeney	Facilities manager	Robert Feeney served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, upon his discharge he was a Police officer with Barnstable Police Dept for 3 years. Bob returned to the family florist business to help out and went on to successfully own and operate 3 floral shops in the greater Lowell area for over 33 years. Bob received his Associate degree in Business Management from Burdett College and his Bachelor’s Degree in Management from Northeastern University with advanced studies at Lowell Institute of Technology. Bob joined IACS in 1999 as the Facilities Manager and has seen many wonderful changes over the past 11 years.
Kathleen Feeney	Director of Admissions/Enrollment	Kathleen Feeney spent her college years at Essex Agricultural & Technical Institute majoring in Floriculture and Horticulture. She worked in the Florist Industry for 25 years as a store manager and Professional Designer not only of flowers but window displays as well. After deciding on a career change Kathleen joined the IACS staff in 2002. Kathleen has had two rolls at IACS first as Business Manager and for the last 7 years as the Director of Admissions/Enrollment. When not seen at IACS Kathleen can usually be found outside in her garden.
Sara Ogden	Business Office

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