Staff Biographies
Thomas Reid
Executive Director
Thomas is a musician, composer, and educator from Charlottesville, Virginia. He loves making all kinds of sounds, from electric guitar shrieks and squeals, synthesized beeps and boops, beatboxed boom-naps. His favorite thing is to make music with students, but he also loves comic books, video games, all things sci-fi, tacos, and jokes. Come chat about MIDI sequencing, loops and sampling, and anything else in the world of audio!
Vinny LaFrazia
Associate Director
I am thrilled to be at DEDP for my 30th year, each one of them a unique and exciting experience. I feel fortunate to be allowed to be a part of so many children’s lives. I will be forever thankful to all the families and coworkers - past, present and future, who have allowed me this incredible opportunity. In my other life I enjoy playing golf, cooking, and spending time with my wife and two children.
Preschool/Pre-K Team
Olivia Manzi
Preschool Group Leader
PS Classroom Coordinator
Olivia graduated from Drew University in 2014, after spending four years splitting her time between studying child development and experiencing it hands-on while working at the on-campus childcare center. She returned home to Massachusetts and has found herself surrounded by preschoolers ever since. She has worked in early education programs in Beverly, Cambridge and Jamaica Plain over the last ten years, and in her free time, you’ll probably find her either at the library, a concert, or sampling her way through all the different flavors at an ice cream shop.
Jada Mitchell
Preschool Group Leader
Jada is a Boston native who has always had a love for being around children! She is excited to be a part of DEDP. Seeing children she works with make big or small milestones is one of the greatest gifts of her life. Seeing the impact she can make within children’s lives brings her so much joy and fulfillment. When she is not working she loves to read, travel and hang out with friends.
Deysi LaFrazia
Preschool Group Leader
Etleva Gashi
Preschool Assistant Group Leader
Etleva has been a teacher for fifteen years starting at Preschool Experience in Newton Center, Sunshine Academy, and Tiny World in Brookline. There she helped children learn and experience new challenges that help build their confidence while they play. She values the importance of early literacy, art, and STEM activities. She has always loved children, baby sitting, and building relationships with kids. When she is not teaching she enjoys cooking and finding new recipes.
Kindergarten/Grade 1 Team
Alicia Ruth Jackson
Kindergarten Group Leader
K/1 Classroom Coordinator
Alicia Ruth is so excited to be back for another fun filled year at DEDP! She is originally from Montgomery, Alabama where she received a degree in Theatre Performance from Faulkner University. She has several years of experience in childcare and education including roles as camp counselor, workshop instructor and Theatre and Music Director for grades K-12. Outside of DEDP Alicia Ruth enjoys reading, singing and trying every seasonal treat from Trader Joe's.
Briana Johnson
Kindergarten Group Leader
Darnell Pierre
Kindergarten Assistant Group Leader
Lawson Miller
Grade 1 Group Leader
Lawson is a 22-year-old Brookline native. He went to Brookline schools and also attended the Lincoln School Extended Day program. He loved attending as a kid, and is excited to be back in that setting in an educator role.
Dan McCarthy
Grade 1 Group Leader
Valeriia Strunina
Grade 1 Assistant Group Leader
Grades 2/3 Team
Shantell Johnson
Grade 2 Group Leader
Grade 2/3 Classroom Coordinator
Hello! My name is Shantell. I am a Massachusetts native and have been an educator for 5 years now. I’m so excited for another fun year with our amazing kiddos. I am a passionate educator looking to spark creativity in the young minds of our future. My goal is to encourage students to be curious, innovative and independent by introducing them to diverse perspectives. When I’m not working alongside children I love dancing, going to the gym, cooking, traveling and exploring different cultures. My outlook on life is to be the change you want to see in the world and that’s how we make the world a better place!
Bana Janeway
Grade 2 Group Leader
My name is Bana and I have graduated from Boston University with a Psychology Degree. I am currently going back to school to get my Masters in School Counseling. I have had over 10+ years of working with children. During my spare time I like to spend time with my friends, read, make friendship bracelets, and hang out with my dog, but most of all getting Boba or making homemade Boba tea!
Logan Boyers
Grade 2 Assistant Group Leader
Northeastern COOP
Adrienne Keener
Grade 3 Group Leader
Adrienne is originally from the Philadelphia suburbs and is currently pursuing a Master’s of Library and Information Science at Simmons University. Having worked at summer camps for 5 years, she is passionate about providing kids with opportunities for learning and growth, and she can’t wait for the rest of this year with DEDP.
Odie Lemmel
Grade 3 Group Leader
Ryan Moss
Grade 3 Assistant Group Leader
Grades 4/5/6 Team
Amber Stahl
Grade 4 Group Leader
Grade 4/5/6 Classroom Coordinator
Amber is excited to be working at DEDP again. She has BA degrees in History and French from Wittenberg University and is currently working on a Master’s for teaching English. She has worked for 3 years as an English teacher in South Korea with Kindergarten and Elementary school students and has recently finished working for 2 years as a High School English Assistant in France. When not working or studying she likes to hang out with her family, friends, and cats. She enjoys reading, playing video games, watching films or tv shows, or even planning her next trip.
Temperance Wu
Grade 4 Group Leader
Temperance is excited for her first year at DEDP! She is a recent graduate from BU under the Educational Design for Transformative Social Futures major. Basically, this means that she loves play and everything that play is and does. Temperance is thrilled to bring this passion for play to a new community and is looking forward to learning and growing by doing. Outside of DEDP, you will find her sketching, sculpting, painting models, making music, and enjoying life.
Robert Johnson Jr
Grade 4 Assistant Group Leader
Amber Stahl
Grade 4 Group Leader
Grade 4/5/6 Classroom Coordinator
Amber is excited to be working at DEDP again. She has BA degrees in History and French from Wittenberg University and is currently working on a Master’s for teaching English. She has worked for 3 years as an English teacher in South Korea with Kindergarten and Elementary school students and has recently finished working for 2 years as a High School English Assistant in France. When not working or studying she likes to hang out with her family, friends, and cats. She enjoys reading, playing video games, watching films or tv shows, or even planning her next trip.
