2008 CAYL Schott Fellows
Tina Degree has worked with at-risk children for the past nine years. She returned to school in 1994 at the University of Massachusetts Lowell studying Criminal Justice, which is when her journey into advocacy and Human Services began.
Francia DeJesus-Flores is the Support Service Director at Children’s Services in Roxbury. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Cambridge College. She has over 15 years experience working with multicultural and multilingual children.
Just Holm has worked for 9 years at the Cambridge Department of Human Services Programs, as the Preschool Manager for the Division of Childcare and Family Support Services. He has a graduate degree from Tufts University and is trained as a music teacher in the Kodaly system from Hungary. He is on the Executive Committee of BAEYC as the Treasurer and an active member of the Sons of Norway organization.
Rolland Janairo is the Director of Operations at Project Joy. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Brown University. He earned his Master's Degree in Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Before his current position, he worked at Jumpstart for 3 years, mainly directing the Pearson Teacher Fellowship.
Theresa Jordan has worked in the field of non-profit development for over nineteen years, and is currently a senior project manager for the Children’s Investment Fund in Boston. She provides technical assistance and financing to child care providers engaged in facility expansion and improvement projects. Theresa holds a Masters in Public Affairs from the University of Massachusetts.
Youngok Lim is the Senior Research Associate at Education Development Center, Inc. in Newton. She is working extensively on early education policies such as Head Start, pre-K initiatives, quality rating systems and school performances in state-mandated tests. She holds a Ph.D. degree in Economics at Cornell University.
Kay Lisseck is an Early Childhood Specialist at Hampshire Educational Collaborative in Northampton, MA. She provides on site consultation and training for directors, teachers, and family child care providers in public and private preschools in Hampshire, Hampden and Worcester counties.
Clarence Little is the director at Hyde Park Learning Center in Hyde Park, MA. He has worked to further the interests of children and families in our community, and to bring a higher degree of professionalism to child care for over 35 years. He is a member of the Innercity Network of Early Education Professionals.
Evelyn Nellum is the Director of Technical Assistance & Liaison for School-Based Initiatives, Massachusetts Parent Information and Resource Center (PIRC), a project of the Federation for Children with Special Needs. She has worked in the Early Education and Care field for over 15 years, providing services and supports to children and families from many walks of life.
Francia Wisnewski is the Program Coordinator for the Franklin County Family Network, a program of Community Action. She is in charge of the development, implementation and promotion of educative programs that serve families with children age prenatal to three. She is a Master’s degree candidate in Child Study and Early Childhood Education from the University of Massachusetts.
Nida Wright is the Assistant Director for Tartt’s Day Care Center, a family-owned and operated business located in Roxbury, MA. She resides in Brockton, MA and is the mother of a six year old son. Nida was an active participant in the Fellowships’ 2007 Puerto Rico Study Tour.