Johnny Blazes
they/them/theirs
Drama, Chorus, and Rap Around Teacher
B.A. in Theater and Dance Performance, Oberlin College
M.Ed. in Community Arts Education, Arts Integration Specialization, Lesley University
“At NS, I learn new ways of thinking about justice and liberation, and I get to practice putting those thoughts into art and action. I am continuously learning about my own capacity for love, curiosity, and growth -- with gratitude for the children who teach me so much! NS is a place where I'm always learning how to uncover the "best" version of myself -- the truest, most grounded, most loving self -- and each version of my "best" is always welcomed and invited to evolve further. Outside of working at NS, I love making choreography with my dance collective Pluto Return, reading YA novels and creative non-fiction, and learning about wild plants and encouraging some to grow in my yard.”
Lisa Nam
she/her/hers
Learning and Teaching Leader and Level Three Teacher
B.A. in Peace and Justice Studies, Elementary Education, Wellesley College
Ed.M. in Adolescent Counseling, Prevention Science and Practice, Harvard Graduate School of Education
“At NS, I learn how to be present for what’s really here in front of us: children, the natural world, systems of justice and oppression, what we’ve inherited from the past, the hope of what can be created. I learn how to attune to myself and others, and how to integrate old wisdom and new research about nurturing each other can lead to individual and collective growth. I am constantly learning more about politics, history, science, literature… and experimenting with how to craft curricular space so that children can rise and reach new heights of understanding about the world.
Outside of school, I love to swim in the ocean, send poems to friends, camp and hike, dance, paint, comment on how beautiful the moon is, join local organizing campaigns, and orient my life around friendship!”
Laurie Bozzie
she/her/hers
Level Two Teacher
Ed.D. in Human Development and Psychology, Early Childhood Education, Acquisition of Language and Culture
“Every day of teaching at the Neighborhood School is a day of learning as well. I learn from hearing what students and teachers say and watching how they work, learn, and play. Learning can be challenging and even inspiring at times. At NS, it I also find it is joyful, collaborative, and filled with new perspectives and ideas. Outside of NS, I love being in and on the water, especially drifting down a river in the sunshine on an inner tube.”
Priscilla Saul
she/her/hers
Administrative Assistant
B.A. in Graphic Design, Regis College
M.S. in Management, Emmanuel College
“I’ve learned the value of building relationships and creating a welcoming, supportive space for students, families, and staff, while working at NS. I’ve seen how NS creates an inclusive environment where every student feels seen and valued. Every day brings something new, and I enjoy being part of and supporting the NS community. Outside of work, I have a love for the arts and enjoy visiting museums. I’m also a big fan of documentaries and could happily spend a whole day watching them on streaming platforms.”
Paige Brooks-Cook
she/her/hers
Level One Teacher
“As an Elementary and Early Childhood Educator, I value creating an environment that promotes engaged and enthusiastic learners, centers youth, acknowledges their intelligence and promotes self-expression. As a black woman raised in Roxbury and in a world that is facing an environmental, social and economic crisis, I strongly believe in the importance of being committed to social justice, teaching our children to be in community and collaboration and promoting values of oneness vs individuality. In addition to my committed focus to education, I also hold a longtime commitment to yoga and meditation. I am drawn to these practices because they are built upon a foundation of our connectedness. As a culture, it is important that we reintegrate that knowledge in how we treat and value one another and our planet for us to move closer to a more loving and compassionate planet.”
Haeli Warren
she/her/hers
Level Four Teacher
B.A. in Education Studies and Psychology, Elementary Education, Wellesley College
M.S.Ed in Urban Education, University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education
“At NS, I am continually learning about ways of liberation that hold the duality of grief & destruction in our world along with hopeful transformation. I have so much gratitude for how I get to practice this every day in community with students, families, colleagues, and community partners. I am always learning about myself and growing in how to center collective care, love, and curiosity in all aspects of my life. Outside of working at NS, I love reading, creating and experiencing art and music in various forms, spending time with family and friends, and being outside, especially by the water and the mountains.”
Tracy Pimentel
she/her/hers
Director
M.A. in Early Childhood Education, Lesley University
“Here at Neighborhood School, I learn firsthand how NS teachers nurture the creative, independent, and problem-solving abilities of all children-no matter their learning ability. Through the progressive model, students learn by doing and are encouraged to make sense of the world around them by entering it and engaging with it; essentially "doing life together." Having a deep understanding of child development, I learn ways NS teachers create responsive, nurturing relationships within the classroom, and how through these deep connections with teachers and peers, children develop an appreciation for human difference that enables them to work collaboratively and effectively toward common solutions to shared challenges. At home, I love to cook and create! Using garden fresh herbs and vegetables to enhance the flavor profile for authentic Asian/Latin cuisine is incredibly rejuvenating for me! I also enjoy taking walks in the park, hiking with my husband Angel and our two children, crabbing, fishing, and feeling the sand through my toes. Being a polyglot such as myself, I wonder which language will be the next for me to learn-Italian? Russian? Creole? Farsi? The possibilities are endless!”
Adlin Mallebranche
he/him/his
Operations and Teaching Support
Political Science, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
“By working at NS, I learn being gracious and selfless goes far. I learn that paying it forward is a natural way of life. I learn about nature at NS too. I also learn more about the historical community in Boston.
Outside of working at NS, I love peace of mind. I love being active at the gym, playing basketball, or taking walks. I love NBA Basketball too. I love music, especially Hip-Hop/Rap & RnB. I also love recording music. I love my family, my pets, and some ‘me-time’.”
Seth Hanson
he/him/his
Music Teacher and Operations Support
B.A. in Computer Science, Grinnell College
“In our little school, I get to make music with everyone, which means I get to learn from everyone. The students, their families, and fellow NS staff - in the classroom and out - are always bringing me to something new: new tunes, new harmonies, new rhythms. Sounds I've never heard before! New perspectives and new hopes. New to me, but old to the world.
Outside of working at NS, I love writing, making music with friends and strangers in the city, reading about how the world works, sitting on benches and watching it go by. ”
Lauren Walsh
she/her/hers
Reading Specialist
B.A. in English, Peace and Justice Studies, Wellesley College
M. Phil in Irish Writing, Trinity College Dublin
Certified Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner, Wilson Language Training
“My role as a Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner at NS teaches me that the health of the collective depends on witnessing, cherishing, and serving each individual. Embracing each student in the fullness of who they truly are, desiring the highest outcomes for them, and acting at all times with a sense of limitless possibility is critical to all of our grounding and growth. NS has taught me that children who learn and connect in a loving school community are ready to meet themselves and others with courage and curiosity.
I absolutely love spending time in nature, traveling to new and favorite places, and doing historical deep dives related to music and the arts. Zest for life, humor, and creativity are central to my practices of love and justice.”
Jovielle Gers
she/her/hers
Art Teacher
B.A. in English, Peace and Justice Studies, Wellesley College
M. Phil in Irish Writing, Trinity College Dublin
Certified Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner, Wilson Language Training
“My role as a Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner at NS teaches me that the health of the collective depends on witnessing, cherishing, and serving each individual. Embracing each student in the fullness of who they truly are, desiring the highest outcomes for them, and acting at all times with a sense of limitless possibility is critical to all of our grounding and growth. NS has taught me that children who learn and connect in a loving school community are ready to meet themselves and others with courage and curiosity.
I absolutely love spending time in nature, traveling to new and favorite places, and doing historical deep dives related to music and the arts. Zest for life, humor, and creativity are central to my practices of love and justice.”
Staff
Dinah Shepherd
she/her/hers
“I have been an educator in Boston for the last 25 years in middle schools, high schools, and as a co-founder of First Teacher where we partner with parents and caregivers in their role as their child's first and most transformative teacher. I want all children to receive the kind of education that my children received at NS - authentic, relevant, and encouraging curiosity rather than complacency or compliance.”
Jeremy Phillips
he/him/his
“Neighborhood School has done so much for my family, how could I not try to give something back to it? Both of my children went to NS for 8 years. They got to experience being embraced for who they are and who they could be; learned to deeply value community and each other, love learning, advocate for themselves, and work for justice. Most of all, they were loved and held through hard times and good. As a former BPS faculty and resident of JP for over 20 years - we actually moved here from Dorchester in part to be closer to the community we were forming through NS - I am grateful to be able to serve on its board. Especially as I have seen this neighborhood change over the years. Rather than adapting to the more affluent JP community, NS has become even truer to itself: even more committed to justice, love and serving children who most need to be embraced for who they are, whether they are non-binary, struggling with traditional school or live well outside of Jamaica Plain.”
Samantha Hale
they/them/theirs
“I operate from a deep rooted belief that every young person deserves access to a thriving learning community that nurtures curiosity, critical thinking, and the capacity to make meaningful change. I bring this commitment to my role as a board member at the Neighborhood School, where I co-chair the Development Committee. With two decades of experience in the performing arts, grassroots organizing, education, nonprofit leadership, and grantmaking, I currently serve as Director of Grants and Programs at the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture for the City of Boston.”
Johnny Blazes
they/them/theirs
“Neighborhood School is a magical place that shaped me as a young person and as a teacher, and it is my honor to give back as staff representative to the board. I attended Neighborhood School 1988-1994, I've been teaching at NS since 2007, and my child is a current NS student. I believe deeply in the mission of reimagining and uncovering what school can be when justice and love are at the center. Outside of Neighborhood School, my work focuses on teaching and creating dance, theater, and circus arts with people who have been historically excluded from movement spaces, in particular due to societal messaging and marginalization around size, disability, neurotype, race, gender, and age.”
Board