Our Team

B.A. in Elementary Education and Moderate Special Education from Fitchburg State University

David joined the Breakthrough Greater Boston team in 2019 as Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Cambridge campus. In this role, David oversees all aspects of teaching and learning for our middle school students over the summer and throughout the school year. David works closely with Teaching Fellows and Instructional Coaches to ensure that students receive high-quality curriculum and classroom instruction.

Prior to joining Breakthrough, David taught 5th grade math and science in Cleveland, Ohio with Teach for America. After a few years in Cleveland, David taught 6th and 4th grade math and science at Brooke Charter Schools and Boston Public Schools.

In David’s free time, he enjoys playing basketball, running outside, and playing board games with friends.

Email: drobinson@btgbmail.org

B.S. in Elementary and Special Education, Boston College; M.Ed., Harvard Graduate School of Education

Elissa first joined Breakthrough Greater Boston as a Board Member, working actively on the Strategic Planning and Program Committees. She became the Executive Director in 2009 and has since set the vision and guided Breakthrough’s strategic growth into Boston and Somerville (summer 2018). Prior to joining Breakthrough, Elissa was the first Director of the Wellington Management Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting education programs for low-income youth, including some of the affiliate sites of the Breakthrough Collaborative. Elissa has broad experience in the field of education and has also worked with nonprofits focused on foster care, adoption and domestic violence. Elissa began her career as a third grade teacher at the Neighborhood House Charter School in Dorchester, MA and has taught in a variety of settings.

When not busy at Breakthrough, Elissa spends time with family and friends, enjoys food of all kinds, and volunteers regularly. Her favorite Breakthrough memory is watching our inaugural class of students in Boston fall in love with the Breakthrough traditions, culture, and spirit.

Email: espelman@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 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

M.A.T. in Secondary Education, Emmanuel College, M. Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, The University of Texas at Austin

Tiye first became involved with the Breakthrough Collaborative as a university field supervisor at Breakthrough Austin in the summer of 2018. Tiye has taught high school and university-level English and literacy courses in Boston, MA, Dublin, NH, and Austin, TX. There, she mentored, advised, and assessed teaching fellows during their first classroom experiences working with middle school students. Following that summer and after completing her graduate coursework, Tiye relocated home to Boston as an adjunct professor of English at Bunker Hill Community College and Emmanuel College. As the Boston campus Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Tiye oversees all aspects of teaching and learning for our middle school students over the summer and throughout the school year. She works closely with Teaching Fellows and Instructional Coaches to ensure that students receive high-quality curriculum and classroom instruction. Outside of the office, Tiye is the founder and global editor-in-chief of Feminessay, the premier writing, storytelling, and creative destination for Black women to share their literary works with a global audience. Tiye also serves on the Young Professionals Board for Scholar Athletes. Her free time is spent playing with her dog (Arthur), writing, reading, painting, and traveling to different places around the world.Email: tcort@btgbmail.org

B.A. in Ethnic Studies and Spanish & Portuguese, Vanderbilt University; M.S. in Education, Johns Hopkins University

Valerie (she/her/hers) joined the Breakthrough Greater Boston team in 2019. As the Director of Student Services in Cambridge, she oversees all recruitment and admissions, student advocacy, and family engagement work. Prior to Breakthrough, Valerie taught high school in Atlanta for a few years before moving back home to Boston and working with Teach For America and Boston Public Schools.

Outside of the office, she serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Boston City Singers, is a member of the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council, and is the Vice-Chair of The Collective-Massachusetts, a group that serves educators of color in Massachusetts. Her free time is spent reading as much YA as possible!Email: vcoimbra@btgbmail.org