BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST

Lenny was previously a Kindergarten Teaching Partner and a Literacy Assistant. Lenny joined the school in 2004. In his free time, Lenny enjoys participating in community events and functions. Lenny says, “Growing up in Central Falls gave me a strong sense of diversity. It gave me a good foundation for the love of diverse ethnicities and also a curiosity and drive to learn more about different cultures.”

BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST

She is a Rhode Island native whose family came from the Islands of Cape Verde. She recently worked with children and their families in the Head Start program at Children's Friend. Rosy holds a degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Rhode Island. Rosy enjoys working with children and families from diverse areas. During Rosy’s spare time she enjoys spending time with her daughter Zoey and traveling. "The beauty of the world lies in the diversity of its people" – Unknown

STUDENT & FAMILY EMPOWERMENT SPECIALIST

Isabel was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA and is the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants. Isabel graduated from California State University Long Beach with her Bachelor's Degree in Education and Brown University with her Masters in Urban Education Policy. Her passion for education stems from first and second-hand experiences that opened her eyes to the often-overlooked circumstances that many students from underserved backgrounds face. For the past 8 years, Isabel has served students as a Teacher and as a College and Career Counselor. When not at work, however, Isabel enjoys catching up with her friends over food and music. She loves dancing and going on long walks around the city. 

SOCIAL WORKER

Marielis, also referred as Mrs. Mari holds a Master’s degree in clinical social work from Yeshiva University. She is a certified and licensed professional specializing in work with elementary and middle school age students. Mrs. Mari has prior experience as a home-based clinician, where she provided crisis intervention services. She is dedicated to advocating for children, adolescents and their families. Also, she is bilingual in English and Spanish, enhancing her ability to to connect with diverse communities. As part of her self-care routine, she enjoys to sing in family meetings and assuring her relatives with needed resources.

SOCIAL WORKER

Gwen graduated from Rhode Island College obtaining her BSW and MSW, and is an alumni of the Center of Excellence for Hispanic Social Work Practice. Born to Caribeño immigrants, her cultural roots deeply influence her creative and professional pursuits — she is a multimedia poet, whose work lies at the intersection of film, advocacy, and clinical social work. She began serving Providence schools in 2017 as a school bus driver and has since expanded her impact through the facilitation of trainings centered on restorative practices and community engagement. Through poetry and filmmaking, she collaborates with nonprofits and local leaders to address political inequities and has documented and enriched the historical narrative of the state's Hispanic community.

BOARD CERTIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYST

Shivani holds three master’s degrees, including an M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis, an M.Sc. in Nuclear Medicine, and an M.Phil. in Applied Physics. She began her professional career in India as a cancer therapist, where she developed a strong interest in working with and supporting individuals and families during challenging times. After moving to the United States, Shivani’s perspective on her career changed when her son was diagnosed with autism. Her personal experience navigating autism services and early intervention inspired her to pursue a career in Applied Behavior Analysis so she could better understand, support, and advocate for children and their families. Shivani has experience working as a Registered Behavior Technician, Senior Behavior Technician, and Treatment Coordinator. She is passionate about helping children develop meaningful skills and supporting families throughout their journey. Originally from Lucknow, India, Shivani enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, cooking, and learning new things.

SCHOOL NURSE

Ms. Kat worked as a CNA for 19 years and went to school for RN. She worked in Med Surge and the ER for 2 years, then entered Addiction Medicine and Psych. From 2019-2022 she worked as a high school nurse. She was raised by her Italian grandmother, and currently has 3 children, 4 cats, and 3 dogs. Kat's wish is to start an animal sanctuary. 

NURSE ASSISTANT

Johanna was raised in Central Falls and is bilingual. She is currently working towards her RN at Rhode Island college. She loves working with children, they are all different and unique in different ways for her. On her off time, she loves spending time with her family.

SET PARAPROFESSIONAL

With many years of experience. He enjoys inspiring and enabling kids, as a hip-hop dance choreographer and former supervisor for the Boys and Girls Club of Pawtucket. He is a very good artist who loves football, track and traveling.

SET PARAPROFESSIONAL

Ms. Naomi has worked for The Learning Community for many years, had different roles and is reentering as a 1:1 aide. Her dedication to students is to help them develop strong emotional and social skills. In rejoining The Learning Community, she hopes she can continue to make a difference with students. Ms. Naomi loves outdoor activities, dancing and being artistically creative. She also enjoys spending time with her family doing various activities whether it’s taking trips or doing something simple at home.

SET PARAPROFESSIONAL

Tara comes to The Learning Community with over 20 years of experience working with children of all age groups. She has a second job doing security. She enjoys cooking and spending time with her family and friends in her free time. She is happy that The Learning Community has given her the opportunity to continue her work with children.

SET PARAPROFESSIONAL

Gerson is a dedicated educator has spent over a decade teaching breakdancing to kids of all ages, inspiring confidence, discipline, and creativity. Drawing on years of experience working with youth, he began at The Learning Community as a youth mentor and now serves as a paraprofessional, supporting students’ academic, social, and emotional growth through engaging instruction and strong relationships.

SET PARAPROFESSIONAL

Arelys is a proud Latina woman of color. She is a proud immigrant, originally from the Dominican Republic, who brings cultural awareness, compassion, and strong leadership skills to work with students and families. She is a daughter and a mother, with a passion for helping young learners succeed. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Change from College Unbound and completed the Accelerated Elementary 1-6 program from RISPE. With over 18 years of experience in education, she has served in multiple roles including teacher assistant, one-on-one support specialist, reading support, substitute teacher, and classroom instruction. She is passionate about equity and student success. She loves celebrating students’ reading milestones and hears from former students who still thank her for sparking their love for learning. During her spare time she loves hiking, reading and spending quality time with her family.

SET PARAPROFESSIONAL

Britney graduated from Johnson & Wales University in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in counseling psychology. She has an extensive background in behavioral health, working with children, adolescents and adults who have severe developmental disabilities and emotional disorders. Britney is also a licensed cosmetologist and is passionate about providing a range of beauty services. As a first generation Honduran-American, Britney takes pride in being a Latina from Pawtucket, RI. On her time off she enjoys spending time with her fiancée & 2 pitbulls, walking nature trails, going to concerts & enjoying new experiences.

SET PARAPROFESSIONAL

Linda is a proud mom of two and a dedicated professional with experience supporting a wide range of individuals. Throughout her career, she has worked with adults with special needs as well as children in both public and charter school settings.

She continues to grow and excel by bringing her outgoing, supportive, and caring personality into every role. She naturally connects with others, making it easier to build meaningful relationships and provide the support they need. She is passionate about helping others, creating positive experiences, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of those she works with.

SET PARAPROFESSIONAL

Bio coming soon!