Team

Dr. Tasheena Burnett is a lead learner in her work as Director of Boston Teacher Residency (BTR). She leads the BTR program and holds Boston families and their students learning at the center of all decisions she makes. Since graduating BTR in 2011, Tasheena spent a combined ten years in Boston Public Schools teaching English Language Arts and serving as a Data Inquiry Facilitator. She earned a B.S in English from Suffolk University, MS in Human Resource Management from Emmanuel College, M.Ed from UMASS Boston, and Ed.D from Regis College. Her research focus is on black male success in higher education. Her inspiration comes from her family, her students and their families, and her mentors. She is committed to developing teachers who bring joy, curiosity, and rich content knowledge to their classrooms.

Dr. Matthew Andrade earned a Ed.D from Regis College and both a M.Ed and B.S in Biochemistry from UMASS Boston. He is dedicated to empowering young scholars to unleash their brilliance in all spaces and firmly believes that Black Lives Matter. “I’m not saying I’m gonna change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will.”

Monique Davis served as a recruiter for the Boston Teacher Residency (BTR) since the organization’s inception in 2003, recruiting talent on a local and national level and building relationships and cultivating partnerships. She currently oversees placement of BTR graduates in Boston schools and coordinates a network of over 250 alumni. Previously, Ms. Davis worked as an employment manager at the Home for Little Wanderers, a Boston-based non-profit human services organization. She has also worked for the Vinfen Corporation and the Boston Stock Exchange. Ms. Davis earned a BA in Finance and Accounting from Northeastern University and an Executive MBA from Dartmouth College in Minority Business.

Ms. Jacquays has worked in the field of education for 20 years, having spent many years as an elementary teacher and reading specialist/consultant. For the past ten years, she worked with the Boston Public Schools as a district-wide literacy coach, Vice Principal/Director of Instruction at the Ohrenberger Elementary School, and as a Response to Intervention (RTI) Curriculum Specialist at the Haley Pilot School. She has taught graduate classes at the University of Massachusetts and has worked as a literacy consultant for Tufts University.

Dr. Nicholl Montgomery (she/her) is a secondary English Clinical Teacher Educator. She received her doctorate in curriculum and instruction from Boston College’s Lynch School of Education and Human Development. Her dissertation was an analysis of Jacqueline Woodson’s middle grades and young adult literature with Black girl protagonists. Her dissertation topic was influenced by her work as an English teacher in Boston Public Schools and in the community where she used African American youth literature to engage young people and their families in critical conversations. When Nicholl isn’t teaching, she enjoys trying new recipes and knitting.

Adina Schecter is a veteran educator, literacy specialist, and equity-driven practitioner with a passion for creating and sustaining welcoming and inclusive schools. After graduating from the Boston Teacher Residency in 2005, she taught high school English and worked as a Transformational Instructional Coach in the Boston Public Schools before transitioning to the Milton Public Schools in 2022 as an Equity Coach. Her previous roles as a literacy educator, instructional coach, and restorative justice leader within culturally and linguistically diverse schools have developed her capacity to coach and collaborate with middle and high school teachers. In her free time, you can find her walking her two goldendoodles around Milton, writing a young-adult fiction book, or driving her two daughters to all their activities.

Minyoung grew up in the Bay Area, California and Seoul, South Korea. She received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Wesleyan University and is passionate about developmental psychology and education. Outside the classroom, Minyoung enjoys reading, watching movies, music, cooking and visual arts.

Emily is a computer science and math resident at Dearborn STEM Academy. She grew up in Western Mass and studied Child Study & Human Development and Computer Science at Tufts University. Emily has worked in preschools, summer camps, education research labs, education technology companies, and is super excited to finally be a teacher.

Madeleine is teaching 9th grade math at Brighton High School this year. Madeline was born and raised in Southern California (near Disneyland) and went to college in the Bay Area. They've loved math and puzzles since childhood, and hope to foster the joy of math in the classroom. A fun fact about Madeleine is that they watch movies and TV shows that are checked out from the library and watched on an old DVD player (they got really sick of all the streaming services).

Biology is great and all, but outdoor rock climbing is really where it's at. Just kidding. However, I do value time outside as a way to connect with biology in the real-world. After earning a Master's Degree in Biology at Boston University, becoming a Forest Ranger, and researching the ocean on open water, I would like to share what I've learned with students so they can discover the wonders of biology in their daily lives, too.

Annaya was born in New York and has lived in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Florida, and now Boston. She graduated from UMass Boston with a degree in Biology and is excited to be working with BPS. Annaya is looking forward to creating a learning environment where every child feels valued, encouraged, and inspired to learn. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, listening to music, spending time with her family and friends, and caring for her dog.

Joshua is an alum of Boston Public Schools. Joshua holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Boston University. A fun fact about Joshua is that he ran the 2023 Boston Marathon.

Luis was born in Boston, but spent their early childhood in the Dominican Republic. Luis was a BPS student and looks forward to giving back to a system that did so much for them. Luis recently graduated from Lesley University with a degree in Secondary Education and Mathematics. In their free time, Luis likes to spend time with loved ones, watch sports, play video games, and go to the gym.

Ruby was born and raised in Austin, Texas, which she believes influenced her love for music and art. Ruby obtained her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Education Studies from Wesleyan University where she developed a passion for child learning and development. Outside of education, Ruby loves singing, typography, and exploring cool Boston sights!

Born and raised in East Boston and graduated with Mathematics Degree at University of Massachusetts Lowell. Fun Fact: my first name used to be my middle name.

Luca was born and raised in Santo Domingo, D.R. Their main background is in Engineering. Luca lived and worked in Japan for more than ten years. They love cats, art history, and merengue oldies.

Lulu is a recent graduate of Boston University, where she received a degree in Human Development and Education with a specialization in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. This year, she will be teaching 6th grade at Clap Elementary School. In her free time, she enjoys all things sports, spending time with her dog, and hanging out with family and friends. She is excited to join BPS and continue growing as an educator while learning from her students and community.

Bessie comes to Boston by way of Pennsylvania and New York. They have a background in arts journalism and have been lucky enough to write with, and be edited by, some very smart people. This winter/spring, Bessie was a mentee teacher with the Changing Lives Through Literature program connected with Roxbury Community College. This fall, they get to teach English language and literature to seniors at English High School in Jamaica Plain, where they live.

Cameron Donahue got his undergraduate degree at the University of Massachusetts Amherst studying Biochemistry and Neuroscience. After graduation he conducted research at the Massachusetts General Hospital studying molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer’s Disease. With a passion for education, he transitioned to public education as a paraprofessional for at English High School. He is excited to be with BTR rotating at the Dearborn STEM Academy. Cameron loves to hike and be outside year round (winter too!) and is looking forward to being back in the classroom sharing his love for science with students.

Sofia is so excited to be joining BTR at DSNCS this school year! She is originally from Virginia and graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Environmental Science. She has spent the last two years teaching English in various parts of Spain.

Mr. Oliver Price is currently completing his residency in a 7th and 8th grade ELA classroom at the English High School in Jamaica Plain. He recently graduated from Suffolk University with a bachelors degree in English and Psychology that he is eager to put to use. Having lived in Seattle, Albany NY, and Boston and is an avid traveller, Oliver is passionate about implementing global learning and community in the classroom. When Oliver is not in the classroom, you can find him hiking in New Hampshire and Upstate New York, or spending time with his dog.

This is Morgan's second year living in Boston! She is originally from North Carolina and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In her free time she loves to try out new recipes in the kitchen and play video games. She is so excited to start the new year at Mason Elementary School!

Rana was raised in Boston her whole life and currently lives in Hyde Park. Rana attended BPS schools and graduated from Boston Latin Academy. Rana earned their undergraduate degree in Biology from Framingham State University. This year, Rana is excited to begin her first student teaching experience in Biology at Brighton High School.

Kate is excited to be serving at DSNCS this year. Kate grew up in Connecticut originally, but moved to Boston after college, because they always wanted to be a teacher in the city. Kate graduated from Wheaton College, majoring in elementary education and double-minoring in psychology and peace and social justice. In their free time, Kate likes to be creative through all sorts of mediums, such as drawing, making jewelry, crocheting, and anything else they can get their hands on!