2011-2012
James Tresner, is our new Site Coordinator. He has a BA from Middlebury College in Environmental Studies, History and Music. While at Middlebury, James served as a residential advisor, co-chaired service trips and managed a substantial budget. After graduating, he spent two years working at Middlebury in the Student Life Division. He has extensive experience in leadership roles at Camp Aldersgate in North Scituate, Rhode Island and Wanakee in Meredith, New Hampshire.
Derrick Allen, 1:1 Aide, has attended the Universal Technical Institute in Norwood, MA and Quincy College. He has also served in the US Army. He most recent experience is at the Brandon School in Natick and Judge Rotenberg Center in Canton. He is trained in Non-Abusive Physical and Psychological Intervention.
Karen Bloomer, IA, works at Watertown High School during the school day and has also worked as a teacher’s assistant at the EDCO Collaborative. She has also worked at the Home for Little Wanders and the Gaebler Children’s Center.
Martha Bouton, Lead Instructor, Has a BA from UConn and a Masters of Education from Boston College, Lynch School of Education. She has completed her practicum at Arlington High School and has extensive experience tutoring and mentoring.
Christopher Collins, IA, has a BA in history and philosophy from Boston College and has also studied at Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan and Paris IV La Sorbonne in Paris, France. He has experience as an elementary IA and an after school tutor.
Cassie Hurd, IA, has a BA in Sociology and American Studies from UMass Boston. Since 2007 she has served as Program Coordinator for the American Friends Service Committee Material Assistance Program providing individuals and their children experiencing homelessness, domestic violence survivors and other at risk populations with material goods and resource information. Through MAP she also provides employment skills training to individuals who have previously been incarcerated and students with special needs. This is Cassie’s 3rd year at the Cunniff Extended Day Program.
Gayane Keshishian, IA, has a BA for the University of California (UCLA) in Los Angeles in Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics. She has served as an intern for Birthright Armenia organizing program for youth.
Liz Nearis, Lead Instructor, has a BS in Elementary Education from the University of Tampa. She has a variety of teaching and tutoring experiences as well as having been a live-in nanny.
Kaitlyn Van Buskirk, Lead Instructor, has a BA in Studio Art from Framingham State University. She currently holds two MA Initial Licensures for Visual Art (Pre-K-8 and 5-12). She completed a 350 hour practicum at the Hale Middle School and a 150 hour internship at the Center and Pompositticut Schools in Stow, MA. During the school day, Kaitlyn works as an IA for ELL support at the James Russell Lowell Elementary School and also at the Cunniff Elementary School as an IA in both 3rd grade classrooms. This is Kaitlyn’s 5th year at the Cunniff Extended Day Program.
Anastasia Varsamis is not new to the Cunniff School but is our new Building Monitor. She has served as the Courses for Kids Attendance Monitor for several years.
Laurie Walsh, IA, is a graduate of the University of Vermont with a BS in Medical Technology. She most recently worked at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical center in Boston as well as MGH. She has volunteered at the Lowell School and has also served on the Elementary Curriculum Committee for Math, Reading and Writing and as a parent representative on the Middle School Curriculum Committee.
Matthew Webber, IA, has a BA in history with an education minor from UMass Amherst. Before joining us in Community Education, he student taught in a kindergarten classroom at the Jackson Street School in Northhampton, MA. Matthew also has experience as a camp counselor, soccer coach, and line cook.