Young Education Professionals-Boston
Leadership TeamExecutive Board
Interested in joining our team? We will be recruiting new board members later in 2019! We encourage you to join our list serv for updates and come to an event to learn more. To contact a board member, email Boston [at] youngedprofessionals [dot] org |
Jess Caron | Co-President
Jess currently works as a 7th/8th grade Special Education Inclusion Teacher at Saltonstall School in Salem, MA. Before Saltonstall, Jess taught Language Arts at the Landmark School, a private high school for students with Language-Based Learning Disabilities. In 2018, she finished her masters in Special Education-Moderate Disabilities through Simmons College. Previously, Jess’ passion for education reform led her to intern at the U.S. Department of Education and volunteer in urban classrooms with ELL students. Jess became an activist for mindfulness in education; she has spoken at two conferences and co-wrote a chapter in the book Catalyzing the Field: Second Person Approaches to Contemplative Learning with Katie Byrnes. Jess earned a BA in English with a minor in Teaching at Bowdoin College and received her Maine State Teaching Certification in 2014. Outside of education, Jess is an avid outdoor recreationalist, so you can find her biking, running, and paddling all around the north shore of Boston.
Jess currently works as a 7th/8th grade Special Education Inclusion Teacher at Saltonstall School in Salem, MA. Before Saltonstall, Jess taught Language Arts at the Landmark School, a private high school for students with Language-Based Learning Disabilities. In 2018, she finished her masters in Special Education-Moderate Disabilities through Simmons College. Previously, Jess’ passion for education reform led her to intern at the U.S. Department of Education and volunteer in urban classrooms with ELL students. Jess became an activist for mindfulness in education; she has spoken at two conferences and co-wrote a chapter in the book Catalyzing the Field: Second Person Approaches to Contemplative Learning with Katie Byrnes. Jess earned a BA in English with a minor in Teaching at Bowdoin College and received her Maine State Teaching Certification in 2014. Outside of education, Jess is an avid outdoor recreationalist, so you can find her biking, running, and paddling all around the north shore of Boston.
Rita Pello | Co-President
Rita Pello is a program manager for impact and improvement with KnowledgeWorks. Prior to her role at KnowledgeWorks, Rita served as Program Coordinator at Teach Plus where she helped run policy fellowships with educators across Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Previously, she taught high school English and film and coached forensics in Madison, Wisconsin.
Rita earned her master’s in Education Policy and Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) and her bachelor’s in Secondary Education – English from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. (Go Badgers!) In her free time, Rita watches too many crime documentaries while trying to teach herself how to knit.
Rita Pello is a program manager for impact and improvement with KnowledgeWorks. Prior to her role at KnowledgeWorks, Rita served as Program Coordinator at Teach Plus where she helped run policy fellowships with educators across Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Previously, she taught high school English and film and coached forensics in Madison, Wisconsin.
Rita earned her master’s in Education Policy and Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) and her bachelor’s in Secondary Education – English from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. (Go Badgers!) In her free time, Rita watches too many crime documentaries while trying to teach herself how to knit.
David Bogojevich | Board Member
David is an enthusiastic education advocate with expertise in policy, English learners, and early learning. He is passionate about supporting schools, districts, and other education stakeholders in promoting social equity.
David currently works as a research assistant at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at UNC-Chapel Hill, where he collaborates with investigators on a variety of studies. His current research involves tracking district responses to the COVID-19 pandemic; previous efforts focused on public pre-K interventions. Prior to getting involved in the world of academic research, he also worked on education issues in nonprofits, county government, and on the ground in schools.
A native of Michigan, David arrived recently to the Boston area by way of North Carolina and Seattle. He earned his master’s in Education Policy from the University of Washington, and also holds a bachelor’s in Linguistics and Spanish from Michigan State University. He spends most of his free time playing games (video/board/roleplay/card), watching TikTok compilations, and eating too much chocolate.
David is an enthusiastic education advocate with expertise in policy, English learners, and early learning. He is passionate about supporting schools, districts, and other education stakeholders in promoting social equity.
David currently works as a research assistant at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at UNC-Chapel Hill, where he collaborates with investigators on a variety of studies. His current research involves tracking district responses to the COVID-19 pandemic; previous efforts focused on public pre-K interventions. Prior to getting involved in the world of academic research, he also worked on education issues in nonprofits, county government, and on the ground in schools.
A native of Michigan, David arrived recently to the Boston area by way of North Carolina and Seattle. He earned his master’s in Education Policy from the University of Washington, and also holds a bachelor’s in Linguistics and Spanish from Michigan State University. He spends most of his free time playing games (video/board/roleplay/card), watching TikTok compilations, and eating too much chocolate.
Rob Harriss | Board Member
Rob Harriss is an FP&A Analyst at QuickBase Inc., where he is responsible for financial planning, analysis, and reporting across all G&A business units. He also serves as the Finance Director for Healthy Gamer LLC, a Houston-based digital health startup.
Before his transition to corporate finance, Rob held various positions in the education sector. After graduating from Hampden-Sydney College, he joined the Teach For America corps in Charlotte, NC as a high school biology teacher. Outside of the classroom, Rob has worked with school administrators, district and state education leaders, and edtech executives on a variety of projects ranging from data strategy to program design.
A native of North Carolina, Rob moved to Boston in 2018 to attend Boston University where he received his MBA and MA in Economics. Outside of work, he enjoys leisurely strolls in Back Bay, weekend trips away from the city, and watching soccer.
Rob Harriss is an FP&A Analyst at QuickBase Inc., where he is responsible for financial planning, analysis, and reporting across all G&A business units. He also serves as the Finance Director for Healthy Gamer LLC, a Houston-based digital health startup.
Before his transition to corporate finance, Rob held various positions in the education sector. After graduating from Hampden-Sydney College, he joined the Teach For America corps in Charlotte, NC as a high school biology teacher. Outside of the classroom, Rob has worked with school administrators, district and state education leaders, and edtech executives on a variety of projects ranging from data strategy to program design.
A native of North Carolina, Rob moved to Boston in 2018 to attend Boston University where he received his MBA and MA in Economics. Outside of work, he enjoys leisurely strolls in Back Bay, weekend trips away from the city, and watching soccer.
Stephanie Murphy | Board Member
Stephanie Miranda Murphy is the Associate Director of Policy Research and Analysis at the New England Board of Higher Education, where she works closely with the leadership team to manage the strategic direction of its diverse project portfolio. As a first-generation college graduate who grew up in an immigrant household, Stephanie inherently understands the power that research has to equip people to make informed decisions that can change their lives. In August 2020, Stephanie completed her Ph.D. in political science from the University of Toronto. In her free time, she enjoys a good Netflix binge but can also be found reading a classic novel or going on a run with her husband, Conor.
Stephanie Miranda Murphy is the Associate Director of Policy Research and Analysis at the New England Board of Higher Education, where she works closely with the leadership team to manage the strategic direction of its diverse project portfolio. As a first-generation college graduate who grew up in an immigrant household, Stephanie inherently understands the power that research has to equip people to make informed decisions that can change their lives. In August 2020, Stephanie completed her Ph.D. in political science from the University of Toronto. In her free time, she enjoys a good Netflix binge but can also be found reading a classic novel or going on a run with her husband, Conor.
Claire Wescott | Board Member
Claire Wescott is the Director of Project Management with the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). Claire started her education career as a teacher in early childhood and elementary classrooms. She then served as a school district leader focused on equity and inclusion in advanced academics eventually leading district-wide strategic projects impacting almost 88,000 students. Claire earned her M.Ed. from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College.
For the past six years, she has received invitations to guest lecture on pedagogy and innovation with institutions such as Vanderbilt, Columbia, Belmont, and Lipscomb University. She also serves on the SXSW EDU Advisory Board. To recharge, she loves baking, hiking, and skiing.
Claire Wescott is the Director of Project Management with the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). Claire started her education career as a teacher in early childhood and elementary classrooms. She then served as a school district leader focused on equity and inclusion in advanced academics eventually leading district-wide strategic projects impacting almost 88,000 students. Claire earned her M.Ed. from Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College.
For the past six years, she has received invitations to guest lecture on pedagogy and innovation with institutions such as Vanderbilt, Columbia, Belmont, and Lipscomb University. She also serves on the SXSW EDU Advisory Board. To recharge, she loves baking, hiking, and skiing.
Founding Board Members
Anthea Brady (September 2012 - September 2016)
David Braslow (September 2012 - February 2013)
Parson Hicks (September 2012 - January 2014)
David Braslow (September 2012 - February 2013)
Parson Hicks (September 2012 - January 2014)