Our Team

B.A. in Psychology, Washington University in St. Louis M.A. in Child and Adolescent Development, Tufts University Amee joined Breakthrough Greater Boston in 2009. As the Senior Director of High School Programs, Amee oversees all aspects of BTGB’s 9th-12th grade work at our Cambridge and Dorchester campuses to ensure that all students receive the support and resources needed to help them apply for — and be ready for — college. Prior to joining Breakthrough, Amee was an Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Washington University in St. Louis. Amee has amassed quite a few favorite memories during her time at Breakthrough — everything from seeing student alums return to Breakthrough as Teaching Fellows to indulging her love for trivia by playing Jeopardy after school with Breakthrough high school students (and staff). Email: anaik@btgbmail.org

B.A. in History, Macalester College

Evan joined Breakthrough Greater Boston in 2017.  As Director of College Access Programs, Evan oversees all supports and programming for 11th and 12th grade students and families in Boston and Cambridge. Through workshops, individual meetings, and connections to academic and test preparation resources, he ensures that Breakthrough students reach their goal of attending college. Prior to joining Breakthrough, he worked as a Senior Access Counselor at Bottom Line, coaching high school seniors through the college application and financial aid processes. Outside of the office, you can find Evan exploring Massachusetts on his bike, hunting for new music, or cooking.

Email: esoken@btgbmail.org

B.A. in Psychology, Northeastern University

Jocelyn joined the Breakthrough team in June of 2016. She had her first experience working with students while in college, volunteering with programs such as Jumpstart and Peace Through Play. While hoping to find a summer internship after her freshman year, she stumbled across Breakthrough in Manchester, New Hampshire. She taught throughout the summers of 2008 and 2009 at Breakthrough Manchester teaching English, Geography and Civil Rights. After graduating from college, she returned to Breakthrough Manchester as their Operations Manager. Jocelyn’s first year after graduating was spent as a MATCH Corps member at MATCH Middle School in Jamaica Plain. Jocelyn has been teaching at UPAcademy Boston for the past four years as a 6th grade ELA teacher.

In her free time, she enjoys photography, reading, spending time with friends and attending events in the Boston area such as spoken word competitions and seasonal festivals. Email: jcoo@btgbmail.org

B.A. in American Studies: Education and International Studies, American University

M.A.T. in Secondary Education, University of North Carolina Charlotte

Lyndsea joined Breakthrough Greater Boston team in 2016. As Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Lyndsea oversees all aspects of teaching and learning for our middle school summer and school-year programs at the Boston campus. Lyndsea is responsible for hiring, training, and supervising Teaching Fellows and Instructional Coaches; ensuring high-quality curriculum and classroom instruction; and evaluating student learning and teacher performance.

Prior to joining Breakthrough, Lyndsea taught middle school English in India on a yearlong Fulbright grant, and was a high school Social Studies teacher for four years in Charlotte, North Carolina. Lyndsea’s hobbies include yoga, movie trivia, escape rooms, and her cat Doodlebug.

Email: larikian@btgbmail.org

B.A. in Philosophy and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston

Nicole Eduwensuyi is participating in a service year with the AmeriCorps Massachusetts Promise Fellowship. She earned her undergraduate degree in 2016, and is currently furthering her education at Northeastern University, where she is pursuing a M.A. in Leadership. Prior to joining the Breakthrough Greater Boston team in August 2016, Nicole interned with Families for Excellent Schools and Democrats for Education Reform. She has also actively volunteered with Brooke Charter Schools as a member of their Alumni Affairs Committee.

Email: neduwensuyi@btgbmail.org

B.A. in Sociology, Boston College

Email: cdalton@btgbmail.org

B.A.in African-American Studies and English, Rollins College M.S.W., Boston College Graduate School of Social Work M.Ed., Harvard Graduate School of Education Jennie originally joined Breakthrough Greater Boston in 2007 as a Program Intern. She spent four years at Breakthrough before leaving for graduate school. After completing the School Leadership Program at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, she became the Founding Assistant Principal at the Dudley Street Neighborhood Charter School in Roxbury. After four years at Dudley Street, Jennie transitioned to the Taylor Elementary School in Mattapan where she continued in the role of Assistant Principal. She rejoined the BTGB team in 2017 to lead the expansion into Somerville. As the Somerville Site Director, Jennie oversees all aspects of Breakthrough’s third campus. One of Jennie’s favorite Breakthrough memories is watching the 6th graders her team recruited back in 2008 and 2009 stand in front of the classroom as Teaching Fellows in 2017. Outside of Breakthrough, Jennie spends time cooking and mastering nuanced character voices during story time with her son. Email: jmcdonaldbrown@btgbmail.org

B.A. in Music, Tufts University

M.M. in Music Composition, Rice University, Shepherd School of Music

Josh joined Breakthrough Greater Boston in 2017. As Development Manager, Josh writes grants to provide critical funding for the organization, and works to deepen relationships with a wide variety of funders. Prior to joining BTGB, Josh served in the role of General Manager at Symphony Nova, where he grew the organization’s board of directors, developed sustainable fundraising practices, and increased audience attendance.

Josh is also a composer and flutist, whose music has been presented by Boston Musica Viva, Juventas, Nonevent, Foundation for Modern Music, and others. His piece, Lullaby, for solo guitar, was awarded first prize for solo string composition by Massachusetts String Teachers Association in 2015.

Email: jhahn@btgbmail.org

B.A. in American Literature, Middlebury College

M.A.T., Brown University

Paulina joined Breakthrough Greater Boston in 2014. As Senior Director of Middle School Programs, Paulina oversees Breakthrough’s academic programming for 7th and 8th grade students at our Cambridge and Dorchester campuses, ensuring that students develop a love for learning as well as the skills necessary to be successful in college and beyond. She also supports Breakthrough’s Teacher Training program, working to ensure our young teachers are prepared and inspired to enter the field of education. Prior to joining the Breakthrough Greater Boston team, Paulina worked as a director at Breakthrough Austin as well as a high school English teacher.

Paulina’s favorite Breakthrough memories often center around the amazing end of summer celebration event — the student work showcase, the testimonials, the cheers, the proud families and the clear bond between students and Teaching Fellows make it an unforgettable night each summer!

Email: pmurton@btgbmail.org

B.A. in Political Science and International Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Shoko first became involved with the Breakthrough Collaborative as a teacher at Breakthrough Manchester in the summers of 2006 and 2007. Her experience there led her to pursue a career in education, first at the Teacher Residency program at the MATCH School in Boston, and later as a 7th grade teacher at KIPP DC, a public charter school in Washington DC, where she taught math and science for four years. She is thrilled to be a part of the Breakthrough family again as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction. In this role, Shoko oversees academic programming for our 7th-9th grade students and our Teacher Training Program. She ensures that all students benefit from rigorous, engaging curriculum and effective, differentiated instruction while our teachers are provided the best possible introduction to the field of education.

Outside of Breakthrough, Shoko enjoys cooking, traveling, and taking long walks to explore Boston with her husband and dog.

Email: sfox@btgbmail.org