Katie is in her 9th year as the Executive Director at AASP. She grew up in Waban, is an Angier/Brown/Newton North alumna, and a graduate of Bennington College where she studied microbiology. She previously worked at the Cabot After School Program in Newtonville, and served on the Board of Directors of the Newton After School Association. Katie is a retired roller derby skater and coach, a mediocre but enthusiastic fisherperson, and an avid crossword puzzle attempter. She and her wife (also named Katie!) are moms to one-year old Casey, and two well-meaning but poorly-behaved pups, Yancy and Roo.

Brad is entering his “full time admin era.” In his 11th year as Assistant Director, Brad is taking on a behind the scenes roll to support the program’s ever-growing staff and student population. He received his BA in Early Education and Care in Inclusive Settings from UMass Boston, graduating at the top of his class and receiving an award of Academic Excellence. He also holds a degree in music production and has previously studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University. One of his favorite activities to do with the children is read books, to promote literacy skills and bond over a good story. Brad goes above and beyond as commissioner of the AASP hockey league, which our whole community gets involved with.

Lexus is entering her 6th year at AASP and taking on a leadership role as Coordinator of AASPs brand new Kindergarten program. She previously working at the Mason-Rice After School Program in Newton Center. The K students always keep her on her toes, never knowing what they will do or say next!  Lexus lives life to the fullest, and loves sharing her hobbies and passions with AASP kids. She is pursuing her dream of visiting 10 countries.  Her favorite foods are pasta and chicken nuggets and in her free time she loves to paint.

Usha is excited to return for her 5th year at AASP. Previously, Usha worked in the financial industry for over twenty years. Usha loves spending time with children and enjoys working at AASP as the next chapter in her career. She also works as an Substitute Teacher and lunchroom aide at Angier during the school day. She loves to travel and enjoys walking in her free time.

Maya is returning for their first full year after joining the AASP team last spring. As an arts and crafts summer camp specialist they have experiences with the whole range of k-8 and are happy to bring their creativity and expertise to Angier. In their free time they play video games and DnD while learning and experimenting with different artistic media; they’ve been on a fiber arts kick and have learned how to create bobbin lace by hand.

Katie is starting her 4th year working with AASP and her 1st year as the 1-2 Coordinator. She is looking forward to her second year with this group of friends after previously working with the k-1s, 2-3s and 4-5s! In her free time Katie is an illustrator who loves to make all kinds of drawings and crafts. She’s been able to share this love for art by teaching Studio Art classes for kids at the Museum of Fine Arts on weekends. Katie can often be found playing games with friends or searching for the tastiest teas in Boston!

Cyndy is entering her 5th year at AASP. She attended the University of Connecticut and brings her positive energy and enthusiasm to ASAP. She says that it is “so refreshing to see the world through a child’s eyes.” She is so excited to be working in the 1-2 group this year! Cyndy enjoys  fashion, cooking, gardening, and taking her dog on long walks in any kind of weather.

Ty is excited to be returning for his third year with AASP. He really enjoys spending time with the younger age groups, playing and creating crafts. He is graduate of Lexington High School and is a current undergrad MCC College student. In his free time Ty loves movies, spending time with friends and family dinners. 

Emit is super excited to be with Angier After School for their first year! They are a current master’s student in Performing Arts Leadership and Management at Shenandoah University and have a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts at Clark University. Outside of this job, are often working gigs in theatre tech, production, and/or accessibility. They have been working with children of all ages for two years and love leading with kindness, compassion, and inclusion to help kids learn and grow!

Sam (they/them) is a Boston based teacher, multi-media artist, and musician from Shirley, NY. Sam has featured paintings at galleries in NYC, Boston, and Western Mass and they regularly commission work and sell their art at markets. Sam is a freelance classical singer and regularly performs with choirs and churches all throughout Massachusetts. Sam is also an experimental music performer at Boston area local venues. In teaching, art, and music, Sam’s practice is community and process oriented; they most value joyfully creating with others and discovering how creation and collaboration connects people. 

Jon is returning for his 16th year with AASP and his 5th as a Program Coordinator. He went to MIT, where he worked towards a degree in engineering, and brings some of that analytical thinking and problem solving to the program. He considers himself a “Jon of All Trades” and can often be found drawing with the kids, engaging their imaginations through board games, organizing impromptu sports on the field, or joking around sharing his love of puns. Jon hopes to visit London and Japan to see the cherry blossoms some day!

Ahmad is returning for his 10th year with AASP. He attended Berklee College of Music majoring in Music Education. Back home in Piscataway NJ, Ahmad taught music and lead small groups in various programs. Ahmad brings tons of energy and positivity to the AASP family, often engaging the children’s silliness. Ahmad also works at Angier as a Teacher Aide.

Ryan is returning for his 5th year at AASP and is excited to be in the 1-2 group. He has previously worked with every age group at AASP! He went to Newton schools K-12. He has years of childcare experience, including teaching Sunday school, and is looking forward to connecting with the kids and new staff.

Sarah is an artist who recently relocated from the Bay Area in California. This is Sarah’s first year at Angier Afterschool and she is very excited to meet all the students and their families. She is a life long artist and crafter. She is excited to share her interests include drawing, knitting, sewing, quilting and collage to name a few.

Meet Melanie! She’s now taking on her 9th year at AASP, and her 5th year as a Program Coordinator! She’s loved working with the 2nd and 3rd graders the past several years, but is excited to lead AASP’s 1st ever 5th Grade (only!) group. Melanie has been the director of AASP’s annual musical since her first year in 2017, and she believes theater is a powerful educational tool for social and emotional growth. Outside of Angier, Melanie sings in the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, works on the board of Nightingale Vocal Ensemble, and teaches music and drama in Boston Public Schools through various arts outreach programs. Melanie is a proud mom of gerbils Squirrel and Mouse, and a big fan of Disney and silly puns!

Liam is thrilled to be joining AASP for their second year. Born and raised in southern Vermont, Liam is excited to be in the hustle and bustle of Eastern Massachusetts. Liam enjoys how children’s creativity, knowledge, and ingenuity can come out in unexpected and surprising ways. While formally trained in geography, community development, and planning, Liam comes from a family of educators and has worked with elementary and middle school students at summer camps in Vermont. Liam enjoys reading and writing fantasy fiction, hiking, and watching movies. 

Grace is entering her second year with AASP after working as a classroom assistant with the Newton Public School System, and as a behavioral therapist with autistic children. She is also a tutor, teaching Mandarin online to students of various ages. Working with kids always makes Grace feel happy and fulfilled. She also loves traveling, exploring new places, hiking, and sailing with her family, including the family’s one-year old dog, a Great Pyrenees/Husky mix. Grace will be in the 3/4 group on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and the 1/2s on Mondays and Fridays.

Zach is a senior at Newton North and entering his third year as a member of the AASP team! Zach loves all kinds of art, from sketching to ceramics to resin, and also enjoys running games of Dungeons and Dragons for friends. Zach is working with the 5th graders on Mondays and Tuesdays, and the 3/4s on Fridays.

John first met Katie when he was a student at the Cabot After School Program. He loved his after school experience, and has since worked with children at the YMCA and Camp Chikami. He is now graduate of Newton North High School, an undergrad student at Boston College, and entering his 5th year teaching at AASP. Due to a demanding college schedule this year, he’s joining the team as a part-time substitute.