Mary Gardiner ~ Director
Mary is beginning her 27th year at LEDP and 17th 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 has taught in 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, all Irish & Country music and Irish Step Dancing. She loves spending time with her family- especially her husband, Paul and beautiful daughters, Lauren & Bridget and her little puppies, Hope & Faith! Lauren is 24 and just passed her nursing boards! She just began her new job as a registered nurse at South Shore Hospital. Bridget is 19 years old and is a sophomore at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island.
Mary celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary this summer traveling to Nashville and Florida with her husband. She is well rested and is looking forward to another year of wonderul memories with your children and lots of smiles and FUN during LEDP!
Janet Harrington ~ Assistant Director
The 2022-23 school year will be Janet's 16th year at LEDP! Janet began her years at LEDP as a 4/5/6 teacher and Coordinator. When configurations in LEDP changed, Janet gladly moved and became the Coordinator in the 2/3 group. A few years later she added Assistant Director to her job description. Janet is now entering her 5th year as full time Assistant Director and is looking forward to continuing to work with all LEDP groups and families.
Janet is a true Brookline native; being the 4th generation of her family to reside in Brookline. She was born in Brookline, attended Brookline Public Schools and raised her two sons here as well. Prior to LEDP, until budget cuts became a reality, Janet worked with the literacy specialists at Lawrence Schools in grades K-6 for twenty years. She also was Director of After Hours U, was a teacher in the HWC and has worked planning activities at the Goddard House Alzheimer's Unit. In 2005, after her husbands' passing, Janet and her family established and she became President of a 501(3) C organization raising funds for brain cancer research with Dana Farber Cancer Institute becoming the main recipient of their fundraising efforts.
In her free time, Janet enjoys traveling, Boston sports, reading, spending time on the beach and family time which includes spoiling her grandchildren, Drew and Milly and Duke and Lola as well as her grand dogs, Louie and Macy. She is currently crossing her things of her bucket list and is in the process of planning a cruise to Alaska in the Spring!
Janet is looking forward to another year making many happy childhood memories in LEDP!
Mary Bready ~ K Coordinator
This is Mary’s second year at LEDP. Mary graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with degrees in political science and gender studies. She previously worked at a preschool in Philadelphia for three years and then was an Americorps volunteer in the Boston Area. Outside of LEDP, Mary is a data collector at Boston University for a study on childhood literacy and spends her free time playing soccer, baking, reading or hanging out with her friends. She is excited to be working with the K group at LEDP this year!
Jackie Rosa ~ K Teacher
Jackie is excited to be returning for her 12th year in LEDP! After nearly a decade working with 1st graders, she will be returning to the K group with her new teammates Mary and Abbi! 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 and loves to explore local trails! Jackie is looking forward to another amazing year in LEDP!
Bridget Gardiner~ K Teacher
Bridget Gardiner is excited to join the LEDP staff for the remainder of the year. Bridget has been working as a sub in LEDP in many of our grades and has made wonderful connections with the children. Bridget attended Roger Williams University in Rhode Island for a year and a half, before deciding to transfer to Bridgewater State University where she is majoring in Elementary Education and moderate special education.
Bridget enjoys art, animals, basketball and family time! She is excited for this opportunity and can't wait to see what new adventures Kindergarten brings !
Karen Boliver ~ 1st Grade Coordinator
Karen is excited to be returning for her 16th year at LEDP! She is looking forward to many new activities in first grade with her new teammate, Emilia.
Karen is a new grandmother to two gorgeous twins Fitz & Izelle and is more than happy to share stories and photos of her sweet babies.
Karen also enjoys reading, exercising, Boston sports and of course traveling to see her grandchildren! She is looking forward to another amazing year in 1st grade!
Emilia Forsythe ~ 1st Grade Teacher
This is Emilia's fourth year working in LEDP! She is an avid comic book collector, botanist, and insect enthusiast. Before discovering her passion for teaching, she earned her BFA at the main College of Art majoring in sculpture and literature. Emilia primarily worked in welding and bronze casting but also really enjoyed glass blowing and printmaking. Being a visual learner, she understands the importance of art as a medium for teaching and reaching out to children. She truly believes, creativity is a valuable means of communication and education. Emilia looks forward to anther wonderful school year!
Sam Mitchell ~ 2/3 Coordinator
This is Sam’s third year at LEDP. Originally from Manchester, NH, Sam has been working with children in Boston and Brookline since 2009. He joined City Year Boston just after high school and worked at a YMCA summer camp and afterschool program while he studied Elementary Education and Philosophy at Wheelock College. After college, Sam worked at the YMCA as an Out-of-School-Time Director for an afterschool program at the Haley Pilot School in Roslindale and Camp Ponkapoag in Hyde Park. During the summer time, is the director of the counselor-in-training program and teaches the Rock Band class at the Chestnut Hill School summer camp. Outside of work, Sam is the kind of person who takes on more hobbies than he has time for. He plays guitar in a punk band and enjoys nerdy tabletop roleplaying games like Dungeons and Dragons. Sam is very excited to return to LEDP this year, and looks forward to continue leading the Nerd Club with our older students!
Gus Lamb ~ 2/3 Teacher
Gus begins his first year in LEDP with an enormous smile! Gus has previously worked in extended day programs and summer camps in Newton and recently graduated from Emerson College with a degree in Sound Design.
When he isn't working with children, he loves to play drums and guitar, draw, watch movies and play basketball! Gus' favorite color is green and his full name is Augustus. His favorite snack is Trader Joe's Mochie Rice Balls. He had better writing than he would expect and he helps his mom with Wordle on a consistent basis. More than anything, Gus is thrilled to be joining LEDP and is looking forward to a great year!
Irene Limlengco ~ 4/5 Coordinator
This is Irene's 12th year working in LEDP and for the last 6 years she has run the Peer Mentoring Program.
She has 17 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 really enjoyed spending her year working with such different age groups!
Irene graduated from Emmanuel College with a degree in Psychology where she also participated on the track & filed 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 new pup, Andi! Irene is looking forward to another wonderful year in LEDP!
Aaron Joseph ~ 4/5 Teacher
Aaron is excited to be returning to LEDP after joining the staff in October of last year. Aaron grew up in Newton and graduated from Framingham State where he played basketball.
Aaron enjoys reading, exercising, sports and traveling.
He is looking forward to joining the 4/5 group and having another amazing year in LEDP!