PEDP Teaching Staff

MINNOW TEACHERS

 Deb Blumenthal   Minnow Teacher

This is Deb’s 3rd year on our team. She comes to us with plenty of experience as a former one-on-one aide at another local elementary school and a mother of a son who just entered 1st grade this year. She has also worked at Camp Grossman -where she saw many EDP campers! Another little fun fact about Ms. Deb is that she also loves all things Disney! She also loves to talk to the kids about sports – Go Sox!

 

 

 

 

Jacob Sanders   Minnow Teacher

This is Mr. Jacob’s first year at PEDP.  He is already a hit with the kids! We look forward to an amazing year at PEDP.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kassidy Buzzell-Shane  Minnow Teacher

This is Miss Kassidy’s 2nd year at PEDP. She is on maternity leave for part of this school year — Kassidy has 2 little ones at home, a newborn (!) and her almost 2 year-old daughter. She previously worked at a daycare with toddlers. Miss Kassidy is a huge animal lover and has several animals at home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sandra Pires  Minnow Teacher

Proud mother to her 21-year-old son, Sandra has been working as a licensed educator for 26 years in settings that range from home childcare and preschool education all the way to professional and beginner based figure skating instruction.
Sandra earned her degree in childcare education from our local Lasell University and holds a strong passion for creative arts, local history, exploration and discovery.  We feel so fortunate to have her positivity and expertise in our program for the second year!

 

 

 

Yalaine Perez  Minnow Teacher

It is Yalaine’s 1st year in PEDP! But she arrives with experience working with even younger children, as her mother owns and operates a daycare! She’s an active basketball player – as well as track! She loves volunteering, especially with the homeless.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deb Wyler  Minnow Teacher & Administrative Assistant

This is Miss Deb’s 10th year at EDP! After receiving her MA in Literature and Education from Tufts University, Miss Deb embarked on a 20+ year career as an English teacher at Brookline High School.  She raised 4 children, all young adults now, with some kids of their own. In addition to teaching, Deb became a caterer, event designer, and artist.  Miss Deb enjoys being surrounded by her beautiful furry creatures, Miss Pearl, the Bernedoodle pup, Miss Scarlett O’Kitty, kitty, and OliFUR, kitty.  She is truly a Child-Filled Cat Lady!

 

 

 

BARRACUDA TEACHERS

Laurie Pedzewick Barracuda Teacher

Miss Laurie joined the PEDP community in 2007. This is her 17th year! Laurie has worked with all of the age groups and is currently back with the Barracudas. As a proud mother of an adult daughter, Risa, as well as her many years of working as a camp counselor, Laurie enjoys working with young children again! She is very active and loves skiing, biking, tennis, swimming, and volleyball (to name a few). You can often find her participating in gym games with the kids. Laurie balances the busy EDP life by relaxing while listening to music, reading, gardening, and snuggling with her two Maine Coon cats, Sparky and Friskie. PEDP is like an extended family to Laurie. She is thankful for the wonderful friendships and bonds she has formed with the students and staff.

 

 

 

Lula Butler  Barracuda Teacher

This is Miss Lula’s 3rd year at PEDP. She has a kind-hearted spirit and is a wonderful addition to our Minnows team. She is an avid knitter and we can’t wait for winter to come so we’ll get to see all the beautiful sweaters she has created!
 

 

 

 

 

 

Nancy Carlson  Barracuda Teacher

This is Nancy C’s first year in PEDP. She is a former 6th Grade classroom teacher. Nancy loves music, dance, and movies. She has a 20 year old black cat named Nacho!

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHARK TEACHERS

Monica Reuman  Shark Teacher

Monica begins her 4th year teaching at PEDP but she isn’t new to our program…she’s an PEDP graduate! She has a B.A. in Studio Art and Spanish and has recently completed a 3-year program at Pixels and Polygons School of Digital Art and Animation. Monica also has experience working with kids at the New Art Center in Newtonville. We can’t wait to see what fun projects she brings to our program each year!

 

 

Sky Nyberg  Shark Teacher

It is Sky’s 2nd year in PEDP. They have worked in childcare for around 6 years. They love art, video games, and anime, as well as long hikes or short walks. An avid animal lover from four-legged and fuzzy to covered in scales. Other interests are cosmetology and coffee! Overall, they are excited to continue with our big reef of fishies!

 

 

 

 

 

Amaya Price  Shark Teacher

This is Amaya’s 1st year in PEDP! She has worked in childcare for around 3 years! She loves playing sports, including basketball. The kids look to her first whenever it comes to playing outside on the field or in the gym! Her favorite hobby is traveling outside the country to learn about new cultures! 

 

 

 

 

Shira Tiffany  Shark Teacher

This is Shira’s first year at Peirce EDP and she is excited to be spending time with the sharks! Shira is a LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker) and previously worked as an in-home family therapist at Youth Villages and as an outpatient therapist working with children and adults at Human Relations Service in Wellesley. She also taught environmental science curriculum in afterschool programs throughout Boston with non-profit E, Inc.

She lives in Jamaica Plain in Boston and loves spending time with her pup Feygeleh in the nearby Arnold Arboretum. She also loves singing in a community intergenerational choir Sing Positive in Jamaica Plain.