Team Building
Mary Gardiner ~ Director
Mary is beginning her 29th year at LEDP and 19th year as LEDP Director. Mary received her B.A in Elementary Education and Moderate Special Needs from Curry College in Milton, MA. Since graduating, Mary taught preschool for two years before working as a teacher's aide for special needs students in Lawrence School. She spent many years working as an LEDP Pre-K teacher and as a 4/5/6 teacher.
Mary enjoys music (especially John Denver and Irish & Country music) and Irish Step Dancing. She loves spending time with her family- especially her husband, Paul, her beautiful daughters, Lauren & Bridget and her little puppies, Hope & Faith! Lauren is 26 years old and is a RN at Boston's Children's Hospital! We are beyond proud of her accomplishments! Bridget is 21 years old and is a Senior at Bridgewater State University studying Elementary Ed. I'm thrilled to have Bridget working with us in LEDP in the 2nd grade group!
This summer, Mary enjoyed family time relaxing and vacationing in Naples Florida as well as Cape Cod . She is well rested and looking forward to another year of wonderful memories with your children and lots of smiles and FUN during LEDP!
Janet Harrington ~ Assistant Director
The 24-25 school year will be Janet’s 18th year at LEDP. In her years here she has worn many different hats; 4/5 teacher, 4/5/6 teacher, 2/3 teacher, 3rd grade teacher and then her current position as Assistant Director.
Janet is the epitome of a Brookline Native. She was born, grew up, attended Brookline Public Schools, brought her two sons up in town, and still lives in town; she is the 4th generation of her family to live in Brookline.
Prior to LEDP, until budget cuts became a reality, Janet worked for Brookline Public School with the Title One Program. She has also served as the Director of After-Hours U and was a Homework Club teacher. She has also worked at the Goddard House in Brookline planning and executing activities for the residents in the Alzheimer’s Unit. Additionally, after her husband’s passing, she established and was President of a 401(C)3 for 10 years, raising funds for brain cancer research at Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
In her free time Janet loves the beach, reading, traveling, and all things Boston sports, but Janet is happiest spending quality time with her four very busy grandchildren Drew, Milly, Duke, and Lola. Spending lots of “Mo” time attending soccer, basketball and flag football games and of course the dance recitals and encouraging Boston sports fandum!
Janet is looking forward to working with your families and contributing to the happy memories your child/children will be making in LEDP.
Jackie Rosa ~ K Coordinator
Jackie is excited to be returning for her 14th year in LEDP! She will be returning to the K group with her new teammates Josie and Nathalie! Jackie graduated with an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Development.
Jackie has three children and two grand dogs, Mango & Olaf- all of whom she adores! Summer is her favorite season, she enjoys traveling, loves to explore local trails and bike riding! Jackie is also very passionate about spending time at rescue shelters and supporting rescue needs!
Jackie is looking forward to another amazing year in LEDP!
Josie Langan ~ K Teacher
Josie is beaming to return to LEDP this upcoming school year! Having grown up in Brookline, Josie adores working in her childhood hometown. This will be Josie’s second year as part of our Kindergarten team!
Josie’s journey into the world of childcare and education began eight years ago. With each passing year, she has developed a passion for her work. She loves working with the children and families she has had the privilege of engaging with!
During her leisure hours, Josie enjoys attending live music shows, drawing, culinary explorations, movies, going on little adventures, and spending time with family and friends!
Nathalie Laurent ~ K Teacher
This is Nathalie Laurent and this is her first year in LEDP; she will be joining the Kindergarten group with Jackie and Josie!
Nathalie previously worked at Bright Horizons working with children ages 3 and 4. In her free time she enjoys reading, painting and enjoying nature.
She says, "teaching is my passion and I'm excited to get to know you all."
Janette Birtha ~ 1st Grade Coordinator
Janette is very excited to be joining the LEDP for the 2024/2025 school year. Janette loves arts and crafts, being outside in nature and indoor rock climbing. Janette comes to the LEDP after working as a preschool teacher at a private school in Brookline for 3 years. She also recently finished up her 10th year working at a summer camp!
Ready for a game? Let's play 2 truths and 1 lie.
1) Janette has never been out of the country
2) Janette has been skydiving
3) Janette's favorite holiday is Thanksgiving
The answer? You'll have to meet Janette to find out!
Natsu Beggs ~ 1st Grade Teacher
This is Natsu's first year at LEDP! Natsu has previously cared for children ages 3-6 years old at an after school program in Littleton, MA which makes them super excited to meet this year's 1st grade group!
Natsu is currently pursuing a World Language degree and are in their last semester at Middlesex Community College.
They speak some Japanese and Spanish as they have Japanese heritage and they study both languages for their degree, however, they are not (yet!) fluent. They also have four pet frogs named Keroppi, Laska, Gene, and Tina!
Henry Dolgoff ~ 1st Grade Teacher
Henry is so excited to be working with LEDP this year! Henry’s previously worked with kids ages 8-14 at various camps and is pumped to be working with the first graders!
Henry studied acting at a conservatory in Scotland and is passionate about movies and music, having played the guitar for 12 years!
He speaks French and is particularly fond of Stephen King books. Henry is looking forward to an amazing year!
Bridget Gardiner ~ 2nd Grade Coordinator
Bridget is thrilled to be returning for her third year at LEDP! Bridget is a senior at Bridgewater State University- majoring in special education. She worked in kindergarten for the past two years and is making the jump to second grade! She is excited to rejoin her kiddos from her very first Kindergarten crew! She is also so excited to welcome her new teammate Pia to LEDP!
Bridget enjoys listening to music, drawing, painting, playing basketball, traveling, playing with her dogs (Hope and Faith), and spending time with her friends and family.
Bridget is looking forward to another amazing year in LEDP and can’t wait to see what new adventures the second grade group brings with the year ahead!
Pia La Placa~ 2nd Grade Teacher
This is Pia’s first year at LEDP, but she has worked many different jobs with children over the years- ranging roles from tutor to nanny. She recently graduated from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature and Publishing.
When she’s not working on her next novel, she enjoys reading, running, crocheting, baking, and playing with her cat, Hilda!
She looks forward to an amazing first year in LEDP!
Allison Kussman ~ 3rd Grade Coordinator
This will be Allison's second year here in LEDP! She is from Milton, Massachusetts and worked in the Milton Public schools pre Covid.
Allison loves working with kids and has experience with first through fifth graders. Allison is a musician and has been since she was four; she loves all music and teaching music to all ages. She believes music is magic and hopes to show that to everyone.
Allison has written her own music since 2018 and has her music out for everyone to listen to. Allison is looking forward to starting this year with the third graders and explore all the fun things to come!
Sonnae Peterson~ 3rd Grade Teacher
This is Sonnae’s first year at LEDP, but she has been working with children since 2019 up in Maine at Kieve-Wavus Education Inc, as a summer wilderness trip leader and camp counselor.
Sonnae is a recent graduate of MassArt with a BFA in sculpture. Her practice focuses on fiber, ceramic, and iron casting, but she also loves to dabble in the ways of printmaking, painting, and writing.
Sonnae looks forward to a splendid first year!
Irene Limlengco ~ 4/5/6 Coordinator
This is Irene's 14th year working in LEDP and for the last 8 years she has run the Peer Mentoring Program.
She has 18 years experience working with children- her background includes working at the Chestnut Hill After School Program and in the summers working in their Creative Arts & Sports Program as their Lower Camp Division Director.
Irene graduated from Emmanuel College with a degree in Psychology where she also participated on the track & field program. After graduating, Irene stayed on as an assistant coach for five years- focusing on sprinting and jumping events! In her free time she loves listening to music, reading, traveling, watching Boston sports and really doing anything active- especially with her pup, Andi! Irene is looking forward to another wonderful year in LEDP!
Natalie M-Casey ~ 4/5/6 Grade Teacher
Natalie is jumping into her second year of LEDP with lots of energy!
Natalie previously worked at Brookline High School for 7 years and now is joining our team with lots of excitement.
In her free time Natalie enjoys exploring new places and traveling around the country. She also loves watching movies and eating spicy foods. Favorite color is teal. Natalie is looking forward to meeting and working with everyone and is thrilled to be returning to LEDP!
Will Shoopman ~ 4/5/6 Grade Teacher
This will be Will's first year in LEDP and is happy to go by Will, Shoop, and/or Shooperman!
He enjoys the outdoors and his hobbies include hiking, snowboarding and skateboarding!
He is very excited to join the team and can't wait for the school year to begin!