DIRECTOR OF MIDDLE GRADES

Maureen Sigler has spent more than 25 years as a teacher, school leader, consultant, and educator. Originally from Lowell, Massachusetts, she earned her B.A. from Trinity College and her M.Ed. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education before beginning her career teaching elementary and middle school in Washington, D.C. Since then, she has served as Director of Brown University's Secondary Social Studies/History MAT Program, held leadership roles in nonprofit organizations, served as Assistant Head of School, and founded MKS Education Partners. Throughout her career, Maureen has been driven by a passion for helping children grow into confident, curious learners while supporting teachers in creating classrooms where every student feels seen, challenged, and supported. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time at the beach or in the mountains, reading, attending live music, and cheering on the Red Sox. Above all, she treasures time with her husband, son, daughter, and lovable dog. She and her family live in Pawtuxet Village in Cranston.

6TH GRADE ELA

She first started teaching at The Learning Community in 2009 as a student teacher and spent 6 years as a 4th grade teacher before joining the Middle Grades Team. Emily received her Master's in Teaching from Brown University after graduating from The College of William in Mary in Virginia, where she grew up. She was a recipient of the Brown Urban Education Fellowship in 2008. She has worked as a mentor teacher with Brown University and as a consultant with The Teaching Studio. Emily is passionate about providing the very best education to all students and believes in education as the tool to break down barriers and help our society tackle issues of equity. She believes in empowering students to use their voice to make positive change in the world. Emily lives in Providence with her partner, her two young children, and her crazy dog.

6TH GRADE SCIENCE

Domenique graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2015 with a BA in Elementary Education and a BA in Psychology. She has worked at The Learning Community Charter School since 2015, first instructing fifth and sixth graders in science and now only instructs sixth grade. She is first generation American, the daughter of Italian and Cape Verdean immigrants. She spends her free time with family, practicing her photography skills and being with her two dogs, Rigel and Freddie. She is also going back to school to receive her Middle School Science Certification.

6TH GRADE MATH

Jerome was born and raised in Providence, RI. He is a proud alum of Hope High School (Providence, RI.) and attended Rhode Island College, where he majored in English and Political Science. While at RIC, Jerome played rugby for a club team and led three student clubs. Jerome treasured his time in college and viewed it as an impetus for social equity. Given this realization, Jerome decided to dedicate his professional life to communities of color. When not working as a teacher, Jerome hangs out with son, Ali, planning a wedding with his fiancé, and beginning his first year at the Learning Community. A busy year to say the least but it’s a challenge he welcomes.

SPECIAL EDUCATION, 6

Erin is a certified reading specialist and general educator. Erin has almost two decades of teaching experience, with over 10 years here at the Learning Community. She lives in Attleboro with her husband, two sons and dogs.

7TH GRADE ELA

Lerisa Joy Lascano, better known as Ms. Joy, is the 7th Grade English Language Arts teacher. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology and is getting her Master's Degree in Urban Education. Ms. Joy has been teaching for three years, including the past two years at The Learning Community.

Born in the Philippines and raised in Los Angeles, California, Ms. Joy brings a unique cultural perspective and a passion for education to her classroom. She loves creating engaging learning experiences that help students grow as readers, writers, and critical thinkers. Outside of school, Ms. Joy is an avid traveler who enjoys exploring new places and cultures. She also loves cooking and baking and enjoys spending time with family and friends.

6TH & 7TH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES

Grace moved to Providence in 2013 to pursue a double major in History and American Studies and a minor in Black Studies from Providence College. She then attained her Master of Science in History from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, United Kingdom in 2021 where she researched how RI schools teach the states history in the slave trade. In 2023, she graduated from Brown University with her Master of Arts in Teaching Social Studies. She has worked in the service industry and non-profit sectors, and has loved building community in Rhode Island for the last 10 years. Her dad was a 6th Grade Social Studies teacher for almost 20 years! Although she grew up in New Hampshire, she proudly calls herself a Rhode Islander and cares deeply for this state and the diverse communities it attracts. She loves learning about local history, eating all the delicious food across the state, playing board games, and traveling to new countries!

7TH GRADE SCIENCE

Ciarra Botelho is from Providence, Rhode Island. Raised by a hardworking single Portuguese mother, she is deeply grateful for the sacrifices her mother and grandmother made to make her education possible. As a first-generation college graduate, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media Communication from Rhode Island College before beginning her career in nonprofit communications and marketing. Her passion for education began while working with infants through school-age students in early childhood education. She later joined The Learning Community as a substitute teacher, where she quickly fell in love with its mission and community. Ciarra leads with empathy and kindness in everything she does. Outside of school, you can usually find her spending time with her cat, Freckle, watching horror films, or collecting antique trinkets.

7TH GRADE MATH

Steve has a bachelor's degree from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota in Elementary Education with a focus on Middle Grades Math. This is Steve’s 12th year working at the school. He has taught many different grade levels and subject areas as a day-to-day guest teacher and a long-term substitute at the school. He loves being an educator because of the relationships he builds with the students he works with each day. He’s married with 2 children. He loves spending time with his family and also playing, watching, and talking about sports.

7TH & 8TH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES

Originally from Maine, Izzy holds a B.A. in American Studies and Cinema & Media Studies from Wellesley College, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Brown University. For her Master's Degree she completed a residency in Secondary Social Studies at Blackstone Academy Charter School in Pawtucket, where she also tutored English and taught Summer School Humanities. Inside and outside of the classroom, she is a passionate advocate on behalf of young people, especially girls and women, and hopes her work as a social studies teacher will empower her students to take up social justice initiatives. Outside of school, Izzy enjoys watching classic films, collaging, vintage shopping, and listening to podcasts. She lives in Providence with her two black cats, Fritz, and Fellini.

SPECIAL EDUCATION, 7 / MIDDLE GRADES LEAD

Emilie graduated from Providence College in 2012 with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary and Special Education and again in 2016 with a Master's degree is Special Education. Emilie strongly believes that all students can learn and be successful in school, especially when they have the right supports! She lives in East Providence with her husband, Mark and her daughter, Averie. Emilie is a huge fan of Disney World and enjoys spending time with her family by the water!

8TH GRADE ELA

Leon has wanted to teach English ever since he was a child. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland and moved to Rhode Island to grow up with his cousins. He is a graduate of Salve Regina University with a BA’ in English Communications and is graduating with his master's degree in Urban Education from Providence College this fall. In addition to bartending and waiting tables, he has been a substitute teacher in the Warwick Public Schools District for the last four years and is excited to be a part of the LC team. He is also a sports nut and is an extremely passionate Baltimore Ravens and Orioles fan. He loves to talk, and his door will always be open, so please feel free to come introduce yourself!

8TH GRADE SCIENCE

Ethan was born in North Providence, Rhode Island and still lives there to this day. He graduated from Bishop Hendricken High School in 2018 and Emmanuel College in 2022 with a B.S. in Marketing. Ethan is currently working his way to a Master's Degree at Emmanuel and is on pace to finish this year. Ethan also works as a basketball coach and skills trainer, helping the youth of Boston and Rhode Island on their journey in personal and sports development. Ethan is excited to get started teaching and looks to bring energy, knowledge, and experience to the team at The Learning Community.

8TH GRADE MATH

Manny graduated from Northeastern University with his Bachelors in Psychology. He has spent over 10 years working in education. He spent the last 4 years working as a full-time Middle School Math Teacher in Providence Public Schools. He has a close relationship and a deep connection with the youth in this community. “Being raised in similar environments to the population we serve allows me to utilize a relational approach as a role model to help children make good decisions for their futures.”

SPECIAL EDUCATION, 8

Prior to teaching at The LC Lauren spent two years teaching in the Dominican Republic. It was there that she became fluent in Spanish, and she met her husband. She now lives in Warwick with her husband and two sons. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her family. Lauren works with children because “I know they all have the ability to learn and achieve as long as someone believes in them. I love being the one to believe in all of my students and watch them as they learn and grow.”