Staff

New England Academy is staffed by a close-knit team of experienced educational and clinical professionals who share a commitment to helping students fulfill their potential. All staff members are certified by the Massachusetts Department of Education and have a background in working with students with social and emotional disabilities.

Danielle Godek, M.Ed., MAT, Educational Director:

Danielle's specialty areas include curriculum and I.E.P. development. She was a special education teacher for ten years, a special education team chairperson and, most recently, the Supervisor of Special Education for a large public school.  Danielle brings a wealth of teaching and curriculum knowledge as a licensed teacher, principal, and Special Education Administrator.  Danielle is pursuing her Ph.D. in
Organizational Leadership.

Peggy Buscema, MSW, LICSW, Clinical Director:

Peggy has over ten years of experience in the field of Social Work and has worked in a variety of settings.  Beginning her career as a clinician at McLean-Franciscan Children's Hospital, she moved into the field of education as Clinical Director and Program Director of Essex Academy.  She is a licensed School Adjustment Counselor and Supervisor as well as a Massachusetts Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker.

Brian Jukins, MSW, LICSW, Dean of Students:

Brian began his career as a counselor at Children's Hospital, Boston.  After working at Children's Hospital for three years, he joined Essex Academy as a school social worker and spent six years there prior to joining the New England Academy team.  Brian is a licensed School Adjustment Counselor and Massachusetts Licensed Independent Social Worker. 

Susan O'Brien, M.Ed., I.E.P. Coordinator:

Susan has spent over thirty years as a Special Education Administrator in Massachusetts working both in private and public schools.  Most recently, Susan was the Director of Pupil Services for the Andover Public Schools District.  Susan has worked as a consultant to public and private schools and a program evaluator. 

Elizabeth Mintz, LICSW, Clinical Social Worker:

Beth has been working within clinical and school settings for over ten years.  As a program manager, community coordinator and school-based social worker, she has a high level of expertise in working with students with social and emotional disabilities.  Beth is a licensed School Adjustment Counselor and a Massachusetts licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker.

Katie Giello, R.N., School Nurse:

Katie Giello began her career working in various acute-care medical settings caring for individuals of all age ranges.  She has a passion for children and enjoys interacting daily with the students at NEA. Katie is a licensed Massachusetts Registered Nurse.

Greg Twombly, M.Ed., History Teacher:

Greg spent the beginning of his career in public schools working in the area of special education, as well as coaching high school sports.  Greg has a B.A. is in History and a Master's degree in Special Education.  Greg is licensed in both History and Special Education and is concurrently teaching an online Virtual High School course while integrating technology into the
NEA curriculum.

Paul Johnston, B.S., High School Math Teacher:

Paul joined New England Academy after a successful 10 year career teaching mathematics in the California's public schools.  During his career, Paul has been teaching courses in Basic Math, Algebra, Geometry and Advanced Mathematics.  Paul has a passion for educating special education students.

Dale Dick, M.Ed., High School Writing Teacher:

Dale graduated from St. Lawrence University with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Elementary Education. She spent six years working as a high school special education support teacher before earning her Master's degree in Special Education. Dale is a licensed General Education teacher, K-8, a Special Education teacher, all levels, and recently received her Special Education Administrator's license.

Katie Doherty, B.A., (M.A. candidate),
High School English Teacher:

Katie began her career teaching English at a North Shore high school before joining the New England Academy team.  Katie's specialty is in English, although her passion and experience with special education students is what brought Katie to New England Academy.  As well as her teaching duties, Katie has been working as a counselor for the "Spotlight" program with special education students.  Katie is a licensed English and Special Education teacher and is pursuing her Master's degree.

Stanley Eaton, MAT, High School Science Teacher:

Stanley is known as the "Science Master" as he has held his teaching license in almost every area of science including General Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.  Stanley taught for seven years in public schools before joining the NEA staff. He has a passion for teaching students with different learning styles.  Stanley has a Master of Arts in Teaching and is licensed in Biology and General Science.

Galadriel McPhail, MA, High School Spanish Teacher:

With ten years of teaching experience in public schools, Galadriel has an extensive amount of experience teaching Spanish as well as working with special education students.  With a Bachelor's in Spanish and Secondary Education and a Masters of Arts in Applied Linguistics, Galadriel is 100% fluent in Spanish.  She has a passion for students understanding the linguistics of foreign languages and emphasizes Spanish culture and the use of conversational languages.

Sarah Rouba, M.Ed., Middle School Teacher:

Sarah, a native Australian, graduated from Newcastle University and has taught middle school for the past five years both internationally and in the U.S. She is a licensed Middle School and Special Education teacher who completed her graduate degree in Special Education from Endicott College.

David Briley, B.S., Middle School Teacher:

David's undergraduate degree in Psychology was earned at the University of Massachusetts. He utilized his training in this area while working at McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA. For the past few years, David has been an eighth grade special education teacher in a team teaching role. He is a licensed Middle School Math teacher who has been seeking a private special education setting in which to use his teaching gifts and talents.

Courtni Bolden, M.Ed., Middle School Teacher:

Courtni has been teaching in the field of special education for over 6-years.  With a Master's Degree from Lesley University, Courtni has been working with students on the development of organizational skill methods to assist students in finding academic success. 

John Gehan, M.Ed., High School Teacher:

John is an experienced special educator with more than ten years of teaching experience.  He has a Master's degree in Experiential Learning from Endicott College. John's strength is in organization and study skills and he is very creative in helping students understand challenging concepts.

Amy Benjamin, M.Ed., Guidance Counselor:

Amy has over seven years of experience in various public school educational settings. She was the former Mental Health Grant Facilitator for the Methuen Public Schools as well as a teacher and soccer coach. Her licensure is in Elementary Education and School Guidance. She has spent a significant amount of time working with and visiting potential
colleges for students. 

Hollie Jacobs, M.S., LMHC, Expressive Arts Therapist:

Hollie joined New England Academy's clinical team after many years working in a variety of clinical settings.  Hollie has been instrumental in the development of New England Academy's Fine Arts Program.  Hollie received her Bachelor's degree from Emerson College in Theater and her Master's in Expressive Arts from Lesley University in the areas of Art, Music and Drama.  Hollie provides 1:1 counseling as well as offering expressive art therapy courses for students.

Jamie Golden, M.S., LMHC, Expressive Arts Therapist:

Jamie has many years of experience in working with students in a variety of school and clinical settings.  Jamie received her Master's in Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University with an expressive arts specialization.  Jamie has worked in school settings as both a school clinician and guidance counselor at the high school level.  Jamie teaches a variety of fine arts courses.

Bonnie Swart, MA, NBSNP,
School Psychologist/Neuropsychologist:

Bonnie has spent her career working both in public schools and day treatment programs with middle and high school students.  Bonnie is a licensed School Psychologist and completed her post graduate training in School Neuropsychology. 

Kara Briley, MSW, LCSW, School Social Worker:

Kara is an experienced clinician with significant experience working with children and adolescents in the community setting.  She is a licensed Social Worker who has her Master's degree from Salem State College.

Cindy Veatch, MSW, LICSW, School Social Worker:

Cindy is a ten-year school veteran with her clinical career focused on working in alternative school settings.  She has used her clinical talents in 1:1 and small group settings.  Additionally, Cindy has taught social work courses at the undergraduate level.  Cindy is a licensed School Adjustment Counselor and state licensed Clinical Social Worker.  Cindy is currently doing advanced graduate work at Boston University in their Child and Adolescent Specialization Program.

Sarah McWhorter, Office Manager:

Sarah is at the center of communication for New England Academy.  Sarah has her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Spanish from Elon College. Sarah is excellent at multi-tasking the staff and student needs throughout the day.