Michelle Duval (Program Director) Michelle has been working with adult ESOL learners since 1998, and has worked with schools in both Italy and the United States. She taught the Advanced level at GPA for four years until becoming the program’s Director in 2008. She feels privileged to work with such dedicated and enthusiastic students.

Deborah Goldberg McCarthy (Teacher Coach) Deb has been with the Gardner Adult Ed program since she first became a certified ESOL Instructor in 2005 and she loves this program and its students. Deb has taught many of the levels at GPA and has also been the Academic Coach and a substitute teacher here. She has taught ESL in both private and public schools and also works as a licensed social worker. She enjoys hiking, nature, and spending time with her daughter and their two dogs.

Elizabeth Moukit (Teacher, Survival Literacy) This is Elizabeth’s first year with Gardner Pilot Academy’s Adult Education ESL Program. Elizabeth began as an English Teacher in 2023 after receiving her TEFL certification and has taught students of all ages and ability levels both in-person and online. She is a Boston-area local and after some time working abroad is happy to be back in the area. Outside of work, she enjoys running, reading, language learning, and spending time with friends and family.

Ben Bott (Teacher, Basic Beginner) Benjamin Bott is working as a long-term sub who started in 2024, and he loves Gardner Pilot Academy. Benjamin has been teaching ESL for 20 years, and loves meeting people from all over the world and learning about different cultures and trying new food too! In his spare time, Benjamin is a musician and a nonfiction writer.

Lili Porten (Teacher, Beginner) This is my first year at GPA, and I love the program and its students. Though I’m new to GPA, I’ve been teaching for more than thirty years. Before coming to GPA I worked for two years at a private language school in Allston teaching ESL classes for adults, and before becoming an ESL teacher I taught writing classes for first-year college students as well as courses in grammar and other topics. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my husband, my family, and my dogs; reading; running; having friends over for dinner; and playing board games. 

Dorrie Pizzella (Teacher, Low Intermediate) Dorrie Pizzella began working at GPA in September 2018 as a volunteer tutor through Boston Cares. “GPA is such a special place. I really enjoyed working with all the amazing students, teachers and staff. Tutoring also gave me an opportunity to honor my own Italian immigrant grandparents by helping a new generation of Bostonians learn English.” This year Dorrie joined the GPA as a full-time teacher. She currently teaches the Low Intermediate English Level. Dorrie enjoys cooking, running and gardening. She has a Masters degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Government, and received her ESL certification in 2017.

Ximène Sànchez (Teacher, Intermediate) Hello, I’m Ximène. I am from the San Francisco Bay Area and spent my childhood between there and Los Altos de Jalisco in Mexico. Some of the best friends I have made were through traveling to different parts of the world and learning new languages. I have always been fascinated by culture-making and language, which is why I decided to study Anthropology and Theatre at Wesleyan University. Since then, I have worked in the tech industry, teaching people how to use software and bridging professional connections centering on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. I have a pup named Daisy, and I love taking her on long walks around Brighton and hiking. I began working at the GPA this year to explore teaching, and I am excited to support our students in making their day-to-day experiences more accessible through learning English. 

Rachael Miller (Teacher, High Intermediate/Advanced) Rachael started as a volunteer tutor in January 2025, and now joins the Gardner Adult Education program as a teacher for the High Intermediate/Advanced class. She earned her ESL teaching certification in the Czech Republic, where she taught English to adult learners before moving to Boston. Rachael enjoys helping students build confidence in their English skills and supporting their goals both in and outside the classroom. In her free time, she likes exploring the city, scrapbooking, and cooking. 

David Carter (Teacher, English for Immigrant Entrepreneurs) David has been teaching English to young adults, adults, international business executives and students from around the world since 2004. He has also taught in Montréal, Québec and in France. David has been a substitute teacher at the GPA for several years and is now a classroom and teacher coach, collaborating with the teachers to solve classroom problems and to help make the classes highly effective for both the learners and the teachers.

Nicolasa Lopez (Teacher, Spanish Literacy) For over three decades, Nicolasa López has served as a dedicated leader in community organizations, passionately creating safe and resource-rich environments for students, families, and individuals. Describing her extensive career as a labor of love. Nicolasa is driven by a profound belief in humanity’s inherent goodness and the continuous progress of society. Nicolasa currently contributes her expertise through volunteer roles with organizations such as the ACLU and Friendshipworks, and by serving on vital advisory boards including the City of Boston Family Advisory Council. A recent graduate of a Social Impact Management & Leadership cohort from the Institute of Non-Profit Practice, she is committed to shaping an educational revolution that unlocks each student’s untamed potential and to championing equitable policies for children of color, recognizing that while much has improved, the journey towards full equity continues.

Marie Manna (Substitute Teacher, Volunteer) In my work as a labor union organizer, my goal is to give people the tools and confidence to accomplish their goals. In 2011, I decided I wanted to explore other ways to do this and happily, I got my ESL certification and began teaching.  I really enjoy working with students of all ages and backgrounds who have the motivation to take on the challenge of learning English.  I taught students through the Local 26 Unite hotel workers union training programs for several years.  I’m happy to have to the opportunity to be part of the GPA Program and continue working with students who want to grow and learn so they can accomplish their goals for themselves and their families.

Tyler O’Keefe (Substitute Teacher ) I decided to become a teacher after being inspired by the fantastic teachers I’ve had throughout my life. I started my own teaching career in 2017 at a language school in Boston. After gaining some experience there, I moved to Busan, South Korea, where I taught (and learned from) middle schoolers for four years. These days, I’m lucky to be teaching (and still learning) right here at GPA! At the same time, I’m also working as a substitute teacher at a middle school in Cambridge. In my spare time, I love playing video games, exercising, and studying Korean.

Mauricio Rosas (Substitute Teacher) Mauricio taught for ten years at the YMCA in Boston and this is his second year teaching at GPA! Mauricio grew up in Allston and wanted to give back to the community, he truly enjoys working with the students and staff! Mauricio works full time for the Boston Red Sox, and enjoys watching sports, and spending time with family.

Deborah Picard (Substitute Teacher, BEST Plus Administrator) Deborah is now in her second year of teaching ESOL at GPA. She has taught conversational English in the Boston area since 2008 and is currently teaching the Basic Beginner class at Gardner.

Deborah Bluestein (Immigrant Voices Podcaster) became an ESOL certified teacher in 2013. Her first encounter with the Gardner program was as a volunteer in 2013, then as a teacher of the Basic Beginner class in 2014. She considers herself a “multi-preneur,” someone who has launched numerous small businesses, the longest running being Bluestein Associates and Juiceboxartists Press and Writing Workshops. She jumped at the opportunity to teach Gardner’s first English for Immigrant Entrepreneurs class in 2019/2020 and has been inspired by the grit, gumption, ambition, and courage of her students as they grow and expand their businesses. In her spare time she writes historical fiction under the name of Dorah Blume, practices yoga to keep her head on straight, and loves walking around Boston. 

Jenyffer Alvarez (Childcare Activities Coordinator) My name is Jenyffer Alvarez. I am originally from Peru and have lived in the United States for the past 30 years. I currently work as a Clinical Assistant Supervisor at Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine. In addition, I have served as a child care provider for the ESOL program for the past eight years. As a parent of two graduates of Gardner Pilot Academy, I have been deeply involved in the Gardner community for the last 18 years. I am passionate about supporting programs that empower immigrants who are eager to learn English and create better opportunities for themselves and their families.

Audry Gonzalez (Childcare Activities Coordinator) I was born in the Dominican Republic. I’m an undergraduate student studying finance at Bunker Hill Community College. And I have lived in Boston since 2016. This is my first year working as a childcare provider at GPA. But, before of that, I worked as a childcare provider at Josephine A. Florentino Community Center. As a mommy of three children, I’m so glad to be part of this program because I love children. I really love helping others in my community, so I volunteer with ABCD whenever I can.

Kayli Reinoso (Childcare Activities Coordinator) Kayli has been working as a childcare assistant at Gardner Pilot Academy since September, where she enjoys creating a safe and engaging environment for children while their parents attend classes. With a passion for working with kids, Kayli loves watching them socialize and play during the two hours they spend together. Outside of work, Kayli attends Boston University, where she is exploring different fields of study and is excited to discover her academic path, which she is sure will involve working with kids.

Diana Satin (Professional Development Facilitator) I’ve had the pleasure of having a number of positions in the field of adult basic education including volunteer, classroom and online teacher, mentor, and professional developer. GPA is one of the most inspiring programs I’ve had the pleasure of working with because Michelle and the teachers create an environment where their students feel respected and that they have the ability to reach their goals. In my free time I enjoy walking in nature, volunteering at a cat rescue, and spending time with family and friends eating food from different countries.

Mario Alvarez ( Administrative Assistant) My name is Mario Alvarez. I am originally from Guatemala, and I currently work as a Patient Access Coordinator at Boston Medical Center in Brighton. I have been part of the Gardner community for the past 18 years, and both of my children graduated from Gardner. For the last 4 years, I have supported the Adult ESOL program by assisting with student registration and providing translation when needed. In my free time, I enjoy taking care of my plants.