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Student Support Team

MIDDLE SCHOOL TEAM

Mr. Bennett is a community field coordinator in the middle school at BGA. He attended Salem State University where he studied Communications with a minor in Graphic Design. Mr. Bennett enjoys playing chess, sports, and exercises in his spare time. email

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Vanessa Brea, Guidance Counselor

Ms. Brea is a School Counselor for the Middle Grades (6-8). She attended UMass Boston where she earned her Masters in Education with a concentration in School Counseling. She also attended Emmanuel College where she studied Psychology and Sociology.  In her spare time she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.

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My name is Briea McDaniels, I am from Dorchester MA, and a Salem State graduate. I am currently one of the middle school Dean of Students at BGA. I have been working with Boston Public Schools for 7 years, but have been with the city of Boston for a total of 17 years. Prior to starting in BPS I worked for the Boston Center for Youth and Families as a street worker. I have enjoyed my years working in the school system as I continue to motivate and encourage our students academically and personally. email

Mr. Gonsalves is the Director of Student Support Services at BGA. Before joining us, he was the Director of Student Support at Boston Day and Evening Academy, in Roxbury. He holds a MSW from Boston College School of Social Work. He co-created a mentoring program for young men of color call MORE (Men, Organized, Responsible and Educated) in 2000 and currently co-leads the program at BGA. He enjoys traveling, hiking, biking, movies, music, golf, spectating sports, and spending time with family and exploring other cultures. email

HIGH SCHOOL TEAM

Mr. Loving is a founding member of Boston Green Academy. After starting out as a paraprofessional in BGA’s multidisciplinary program, Mr. Loving transitioned into his current role as a Community Coordinator. In this role, Regi supports students and teachers around behavior management concerns, disciplinary issues and also acts as a mentor to many of our students. When not in school, Mr. Loving is always on the go; he enjoys spending time with friends and family and relaxes by listening to a variety of music. email

Ms. Kelton is a founding social worker at Boston Green Academy. In her role as student support counselor, Ms. Kelton supports the social-emotional needs of students and works closely with families and community providers to make sure that each student has a network of support to help them achieve academic success. Prior to her arrival at BGA, Ms. Kelton worked for the city of Boston for over 10 years as a social worker.  Ms. Kelton earned her B.A. in Sociology and Spanish from Mary Washington College and her Masters degree in Social Work from Salem State College. 

Jacqueline Sims grew up in Boston,  and attended Boston Public Schools. She received an Associates Degree. from Burdett College. Mrs. Sims has worked for BPS for over 20 years, starting as a Security Para and later transferring to Boston School Police where she worked for 7 years in various Middle and High Schools. Mrs. Sims has worked at Monument High (Southie), and at Excel HS as a Community Field Coordinator before going green in 2014 and joining BGA,  She currently works as a CFC for the 9th & 10th grades.

Jodi Then is the High School Counselor at Boston Green Academy. Before joining BGA, Ms. Then spent 15 years working at a non-profit organization that specialized in college access and financial aid. In addition to counseling students and families on college admissions, financial aid and student loans, Ms. Then was responsible for training internal and external partners, including other high schools and non-profit organizations.  She also worked as a consultant for the Boston Public Schools District and the Department of College Counseling, creating curriculum to help students transition from High School to College, and has collaborated with district leaders on college access and financial aid initiatives.  email

ADMINISTRATIVE STUDENT SUPPORTS

Nurse B has been working for the Boston Public Schools since 2011. She have worked in long term care, clinical instruction for UMass Boston Nursing program and a summer camp nurse all over New England for various camps. Nurse B attended UMass Boston, where she received her degree in Nursing (BSN)  and for her Masters at Salem State University (MSN). In her spare time, Nurse B loves spending time with family, being around nature, cooking new foods and trying new recipes. She also plays on a women’s flag football team and fascinated by all things science. email

Jeff Becker is the Assistant Headmaster for Boston Green Academy. Mr. Becker has been at BGA for 5 years after spending the previous two years in the Office of Legal Advisor for the Boston Public Schools as an Assistant Corporation Counsel. Prior to that, Mr. Becker spent fourteen years as an administrator, teacher and coach at a high school in Newton, MA. Jeff earned his BA in Political Science and History from Boston College and his JD from Suffolk University Law School. When not working, he is spending time with his fabulous wife and three energetic children.

Kelly Cotton, School Psychologist

Ms. Cotton is a School Psychologist and has been working in BPS ins 2006 and at BGA since September 2014. She studied education and Psychology at Westfield State College and School Psychology at UMass Boston. In her spare time, Ms. Cotton enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, and cooking.

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Ms. Heney joined BGA in 2014 and is the Social Worker for students in all grade levels who receive special education services at BGA. Prior to BGA, Ms. Heney worked as Clinical Coordinator for the Middle and High School programs at the COMPASS school in JP and then as the Director of the COMPASS Intensive Support Program at The English High School in JP.  Ms. Heney also ran a summer program at the Counseling and Intervention Center for students attending various BPS middle schools for several summers. Ms. Heney also worked part time as a crisis clinician for Riverside Community Care for 4 years. She graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in psychology and then moved to Oregon, where she later attended the University of Oregon, receiving her Master’s degree in counseling psychology.  email

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