MINNOW TEACHERS
Eliza Anise Minnow Teacher
Ms. Eliza will be working with the Minnows this year. Eliza has a B.S. in Teaching from Lesley University. She taught at Head Start, Horizon for the Homeless Children, and was a Case Manager for Welfare to Work at Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries. While raising her daughter, Eliza took her therapy dog to cheer up patients at Beth Israel, Spaulding, and special needs classrooms. Eliza went back to school at UMass Boston for creative writing poetry and won the 2019 Academy of American Poets for her poem “Spring.” Now it brings joy to Eliza working with children again!
Deb Blumenthal Minnow Teacher
This is Deb’s second 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. Last summer, she 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!
Lula Butler Early Birds Teacher and Minnow Teacher
Miss Lula joined our team last year. 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!
Kassidy Buzzell-Shane Minnow Teacher
This is Miss Kassidy’s first year at PEDP. She previously worked at a daycare with toddlers. Kassidy has a baby girl at home who is going to be 1 in January. She is a huge animal lover and has several animals at home.
Sandra Pires Minnow Teacher
BARRACUDA TEACHERS
Eric Goodridge Barracuda Teacher
New York born and Massachusetts raised, Eric joins our Barracuda team this year. He comes to us with a B.A. in Sociology from Boston University and several years experience working in human services as a Mileau Counselor, Assistant Manager, Individual Support Case Manager, Weekend Manager, and even a Dog Walker. He also enjoyed working seven years at an after school teacher in Somerville! Though a self-proclaimed workaholic, Eric does find time to have a little fun. He likes to jog, play Frisbee golf, tennis, chess, and listen to music (80’s forever). We feel so fortunate to welcome Eric’s experience, calm demeanor and enthusiasm to our team this year!
Norda Lino-Kelly Barracuda Teacher
Dru Maguire Barracuda Teacher
Dru brings a long line of entrepreneurial pedigree in the arts. She began playing drums and piano at age 2 and became a professional singer at age 16, touring as sole vocalist for notable jazz groups Black Eagle Jazz band and Greenhouse Effect. She expanded into fronting and recording with bands in a variety of musical genres. She also worked as a mural artist, mixed-media portrait artist and artist for Caricutey’s Caricatures. When she became a mom, she channeled her skills into coaching and teaching, working as a studio coach for Maurice Starr Productions, and co-founding New Talent, a talent development company, coaching and showcasing local talent in the Boston area, Soulshine Arts, a multi-media drop-in workshop in Portsmouth NH, and Music Rules, all-ages music instruction in Metrowest. Dru looks forward to a fun, inspiring year at Peirce!
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 2 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.
Monica Reuman Barracuda Teacher
Monica begins her third year teaching at PEDP but she isn’t new to our program…she’s an EDP graduate! She has a B.A. in Studio Art and Spanish and has just finished a 3-year post-grad 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!
SHARK TEACHERS
Emma Cunningham Shark Teacher
Emma joined our team last year as an assistant teacher while studying at Boston College. With a vibrant personality and positive “can do” attitude, she rejoins our team this year as a Shark teacher while she continues her college education.
Yvonne Emery Barracuda Support Staff & Shark Teacher
This is Yvonne’s second year at EDP. She is a busy mother of six children from a blended family. She also comes to us with various experience working with children from volunteering, home schooling, and supporting children with special needs.
Alex Kaplan Sharks Teacher
Deb Wyler Shark Teacher & Administrative Assistant
This is Miss Deb’s 9th year at EDP! After receiving her MA in Literature and Education from Tufts University, Miss Deb embarked on a 20 plus 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!
