Executive Director

Andrew Mountford

BASEC Founder, Andrew Mountford, has spent his career in out-of-school time education and non-profit leadership. He completed his undergraduate studies in politics, economics and law at Brandeis University and his Masters of Education from Lesley University.

Director of Impact

Annie Gladfelter

Annie G. is in her fifth year at BASEC. Before coming to BASEC, she taught for 5 years in the Cambridge Public Schools and worked in after school programming for over 10 years. Annie G. also has her M.Ed in Out-of-School Time Program Development and Improvement. Her work passions include science with kids and professional development.

Site Director, BASEC @ Chenery

Amanda Burke

Site Director, BASEC @ Burbank

Sarah Houtmeyers

Sarah has been with BASEC since 2010. She has a hand in all of BASEC’s programming and is a go-to for parents, students (and teachers!) for questions and correspondence. She moved from head of Operations to the Burbank Site Director in 2019!

Site Director, BASEC @ Fowler / Green Meadow

Michael Clark

Michael has previously worked with BASEC as an educator at BASEC @ Chenery and took over as site director for Maynard programs BASEC @ Fowler and BASEC @ Green Meadow in 2021. Michael enjoys working with kids to build strong positive relationships. He has previous experience working with youth in AmeriCorps NCCC and Amnesty International USA. Michael holds graduate degrees from Brandeis University’s Heller School of Social Policy and Management, an MBA in Social Impact and an MA in Sustainable International Development. He also earned a BA from the College of William & Mary.

Site Director, BASEC @ BMHS

Brandon Heisler

Brandon has been an educator for 14 years. He started his career in Special Education in the Brookline Public Schools, in the Pathways Program. While there, he started and grew an after school program for at-risk youth called Steps To Success. This is where he learned about the importance of after school programming and how integral it can be for development for all ages. He has been with BASEC for seven years and is dedicated to providing quality after school educational opportunities for high school aged youth.

Director of Student Programming, BASEC @ Burbank

Ellen McEllin

Ellen has been with BASEC and BBASP (its predecessor) since 1999. She is also a classroom aid in 3rd and 4th grade at the Burbank. Ellen is the main point of contact for BASEC @ Burbank Workshops and tutoring and begins her role as Director of Student Programming in 2019!

Operations Director

Viviana Sanchez

Viviana joined the BASEC team in 2019 after working 4 years at a Therapeutic Foster Care Agency. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and human development with a focus in psychology. Her passion for nonprofit work began after working for Jumpstart and AmeriCorps NCCC where she saw first hand how nonprofit organizations positively impact the lives of children and families involved. Viviana is excited for this new chapter at BASEC!

Assistant Director

Clare McGladrigan

Assistant Director, BASEC @ Chenery

Blake Stensland

Blake joined the BASEC team in 2019 as BASEC @ Chenery’s Family Engagement Specialist. She has more recently taken on the role of BASEC @ Chenery’s Assistant Director and is excited to bring quality curriculum programming to our out of school time program! Blake manages BASEC @ Chenery’s tutoring, workshops and music lessons.

If you have any questions about any of these offerings please feel free to reach out to Blake!

Visual Arts Specialist

Felisia Sainz

Felisia has been with BASEC since 2017. She got her BFA in Illustration at Massachusetts College of Arts and Design. Since college she has been working on her own artwork and comics, curating for gallery spaces, and doing freelance illustration.

Sports Specialist

Alex DeMaris

Alex joined the BASEC team in 2020 after completing the Boston Teacher Residency program and obtaining a Masters in Education from UMass Boston. He received a Bachelors in Human Development & Family Science from Oregon State and has always wanted to make a positive impact in children’s lives. Alex is thrilled to be a part of BASEC and the Belmont community.

Educator

Vana Keledjian

Vana, a Belmont native, has been with BASEC since 2018. She holds a bachelors degree in psychology and has over 15 years of experience in childcare. Vana also teaches art workshops.

Educator

Sam Taber

Since 2015, Sam has played the dual role as piano teacher and educator with BASEC. He is proud to be part of the arts team and contribute musically to the program throughout the school year, during vacation camp, and for special productions. Sam is a local freelance musician who plays regularly around New England. He has a B.A. in History from Boston University.

Educator

Karen Shea

Karen has been with BASEC since 2011. She works at before school and after school. Karen also is a professional aide at Burbank which she began in September 2007.

Educator

Vicky O’Regan

Vicky has been with BASEC since 2003. During the school day, she is the Reading Specialist at the Burbank School. Vicky is also one of our before school teachers.

Educator

Gaelen McGrail

Gaelen joined BASEC in 2018. His previous experience includes coaching, tutoring, and working as a classroom assistant. He attended UMass Boston, where he played on the basketball team.

Visual Arts Specialist

Jamie Meditz

Jamie received her Bachelors Degree in Art Education from Molloy College and her Masters of Education in Community Arts from Lesley University. She has been with BASEC since 2016, and feels incredibly lucky that she gets to spend her days creating art with enthusiastic children!

Sports Specialist

James Burke

James has been the Sports Specialist for BASEC @ Chenery since 2010. He has a degree in Psychology from UMass Boston.

STEM Specialist

Trevor Donahue

Trevor, a Belmont Native, graduated from Hartwick in upstate NY with a B.A. in Sociology. Instrumental in founding the Branch program for BASEC, Trevor has been with BASEC since 2012.

Enrichment Specialist

Carter Eichenberg

Carter is in his third year with BASEC. He has a degree from UMass Amherst in Psychology. He leads our Model UN programming, Outing Club, as well as many other favorites!

Educator

Andrea Grant

Andrea, or Ms. Grant as the students call her, has been with BASEC and its predecessor since 2002. She has her graduate degree in Education from Cambridge College.

Educator

Elaine Arvantis

Elaine has been with BASEC since 2014. During the school day, she is a classroom aide at the Winn Brook School. Elaine is also one of our before school teachers.

Kindergarten Educator

Donna “Mrs.G” Goguen

Kindergarten Educator

Alba Gomez

Alba joined BASEC in 2021. She is a Former Excel Program Educator. Alba has over 18 years of experience working in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Age students of which she has throughout enjoyed. She is EEC accredited and attended Ellis University for classes in Early Childhood Growth and Development.

Educator

Fran Indelicato

Fran joined BASEC in 2021. She is proud to have worked for the Maynard EXCEL program for over 20 years prior to joing the BASEC team. Fran enjoys crafting, creating games and challenges, and helping kids shine!

Educator

Hanna Bacus

Hanna joined the BASEC team in 2021, after 5 years working for the former program known as EXCEL. As a third generation Maynard resident, she takes great pride working for her community. Working alongside the teachers that taught her as a student taught her the importance of positive learning experiences. She is currently following her passion by taking classes at Framingham State.

Assistant Educator

Isabella Brody Magid

Bella is one of BASEC’s assistant educators. She is graduating from BHS in 2024.

Visual Arts Specialist

Kayla Sylvia

Kayla joined BASEC in 2021 as the Visual Arts Specialist for our Maynard programs at Green Meadow and Fowler. She received a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature with a specialized concentration in Museum Education from Smith College. Kayla has previously worked as a Children’s and Youth Services library assistant and has worked with various art museums. Kayla is a life long lover of art, and she looks forward to inspiring young minds and seeing their beautiful creations!

Performing Arts Specialist, BASEC @ Chenery

Nick Peladeau

Nick joined the BASEC Chenery team in 2021. They received their BFA in Art Education from MassArt and have prior experience working with middle and high school. They want to help create a safe space for all students that focuses on diversity, respect, acceptance, and growth!

Educator

Tricia Cerqua

Tricia joined BASEC in 2021. She is excited to be part of the team at Fowler Middle School. She has previously worked as an ESP in the Maynard School System for twenty years. She was also a staff member for the EXCEL/FASC after school program for 10 years. She holds certification in Northeast Foundation for Children Responsive Classroom, Scott Foresman E.R.I. Reading Program, and Wilsons Language Foundation Reading Program. She looks forward to continuing to provide a positive, safe, nurturing environment to encourage the children to be the best version of themselves and have fun!

Educator

Valerie Warren

Valerie joined BASEC in 2021 after previously working for EXCEL FASC Program as a third grade head teacher. Valerie holds a degree in Classical Arts from Rhode Island School of Design. Valerie has taken endless courses in Art History from Harvard University and many trainings in all forms of Art over her life. Valerie loves many mediums, living an Artist’s life that builds on various art experiences. She especially loves to see free flow art from children.

Educator

Josh Camara

Josh joined the BASEC @ Chenery team in 2021. He is from Cambridge and earned his Bachelors degree in journalism from Salem State University.

Educator

Andrew McLean

Andrew joined BASEC in 2021. He has degrees in sociology and teaching from Haverford College, UCLA and Tufts University. Having taught in middle and high schools, he is especially interested in supporting the growth and learning of the whole child. 

Operations Specialist, BASEC @ Chenery

Ashley Smith

Ashley joined the BASEC @ Chenery team in 2022. She graduated from the University of Rochester with a Bachelor’s Degree in Neuroscience and a Minor in Psychology. Ashley is eager to meet and connect with the students and families of the BASEC community throughout the school year.

Educator

Brandon Fink

Educator

Jaime Chernoch

Jaime has been working with BASEC since 2021. She got her MFA in poetry and education at UMass Boston. Jaime enjoys hearing about the individual interests of all the students at Chenery and encouraging them to try new things.

Educator, BASEC @ Chenery

Erin Pelham

Educator, BASEC @ Chenery

Melissa Moran

Melissa, a Belmont Native, has been a part of the BASEC @ Chenery team since 2008 and is an important part of programming each and every day! She has held the position of head cook at Chenery Middle School for many years and has created strong relationships with many parents, students and staff alike. She looks forward to continuing to foster more relationships within the BASEC community!

Educator, BASEC @ Chenery

Sydney Padgett

Educator, BASEC @ Chenery

Mica Rich

Mica graduated with a BA in English and a minor in psychology in 2021. They have worked as a dance teacher and an academic tutor for many years. New to BASEC as of 2023, Mica is excited for the opportunity to engage students in new ways of learning and to create an environment where students feel safe to express themselves and to challenge themselves.

Family Engagement Specialist

Ciara McCarthy

Ciara is proud to have joined the BASEC team in 2023 as the Family Engagement Specialist. She holds degrees in Kinesiology and Spanish from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her passion for education began in college through volunteering at a school for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and she has since taught english at an elementary school in Madrid, Spain. Ciara is thrilled to be a part of the BASEC team!

Educator

Lan Huynh

Lan joined the BASEC team in 2023. She completed her undergraduate degree from UMass Boston in 2017 and majored in Early Childhood Education. She has been working with children for over 9 years. Lan is an avid reader, enjoys playing video games and likes to explore new restaurants and try new foods.

Educator

Vivian Chiang

Vivian joined the BASEC team in 2023 after completing a master’s degree in music from Boston University. As a musician, she has several years of experience in teaching and performing within the music industry and guiding students to succeed in music competitions. Her professional interests include early education and music performance.

Educator

Massimo Francucci

Educator

Rachel Clancy

Rachel, a Watertown, MA native, joined BASEC in 2023 as a Kindergarten Specialist. She has over 12 years of experience working in Early Childhood Education. She is EEC accredited and has a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University.

Educator

Chenda Kaplan

Chenda, a Belmont Native, joined BASEC in 2023. She graduated from Curry College with a B.A. in Sociology.

BASEC @ BMHS Assistant Director

Beck Govoni

Beck joined the BASEC team in 2023 as the Assistant Director for BASEC @ BMHS. Beck has spent the last four years working at the Cambridge YMCA after school as site coordinator. She holds a bachelors in Sociology with a minor in Gender Studies from Lesley University. Beck is currently pursuing her masters in Developmental Psychology. Beck hopes to create a safe and fun environment where all kids feel they belong.

Educator

Emma Kuper

Emma graduated from Holy Cross in 2018 with a degree in English. She loves all things creative, and has just moved from Los Angeles, where she was teaching art in an elementary school. She is excited to share her love of art, nature, and creativity with BASEC students, and to support students as they learn and grow!

Educator

Emily Olsen

Emily joined BASEC in 2023 as an educator at Green Meadow and Fowler. As a Maynard resident, she’s excited to get the chance to work in the school system she once went through! She’s currently taking classes in Elementary Education and Childhood Development at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

Educator

Meg Mayfield

Sports Specialist

Maggie Ford

Maggie joined BASEC in March 2021 as our Sports Specialist for Maynard programs at Fowler and Green Meadow. She holds a degree from University of Massachusetts – Lowell in Health Studies and Psychology. Previously she worked as a youth rowing coach. In her spare time, she enjoys rowing, running, hiking and yoga.  Maggie has always had a passion for health and fitness and is excited to share that passion with the students at BASEC.

STEM Specialist

Peter Liffers

Peter joined BASEC in July 2022 as the STEM Specialist for the Maynard programs at Fowler and Green Meadow. He has developed and run STEAM based programming, summer camps, and workshops with the Berkshire Museum and Boston Children’s Museum on topics ranging from bubbles to robotics! Peter holds a Masters in Public History from UMass Boston, focusing on the history of science and education outside of the classroom.

Educator

Betsy Poulson

Educator

Lois Cohen

Educator

Ciao Fernandes

Educator

Zhen Wang

Zhen is thrilled to join BASEC, bringing her rich background in education. Starting as an ESL TA in 2014, she excelled in tutoring Statistics, Music Theory, and Chinese while pursuing her undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Music. Post-graduation in 2020, Zhen facilitated the transition to hybrid teaching for professors and supported international students. Her experience extends to student teaching in Cambridge and Boston Public Schools, complementing her Master’s degree, after which she tutored at Kumon. Zhen‘s passion lies in celebrating the growth of children and cherishing the trust they place in her. She values these connections over her academic interests in Math and her majors, striving to share each student her knowledge with empathy and recognition.