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About Us

Our values of equity, resilience, inclusivity, innovation and strengths-based approach always informs our work supporting English learners in schools.

Our Mission

Our mission is to support English learners in Massachusetts public schools by raising academic achievement and post-secondary educational attainment. The MEL Community Foundation hopes to create and support equitable and inclusive school communities where all students are exposed to rigorous curricula and expectations and the opportunity for post-secondary educational and career opportunities are the norm and not the exception for English learners.

Our Approach

Our plan for development and growth focuses on building and strengthening our relationships with school districts, and nonprofits supporting English learners in public schools. Our ability to develop program design and assess effectiveness will enable us to deepen our impact community by community. We’re excited with the opportunities and challenges that await and look forward, with great excitement, to making an impact through literacy, mentorship and college access supports for English learners in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and nationally.

Leadership Team

John Maynard

John Maynard

Founder and Executive Director

John Maynard has dedicated much of his thirty-year educational career to providing academic opportunities, raising academic achievement and seeking equitable learning outcomes for English learners in public schools.

John’s teaching career began in Massachusetts and included seven years in Brazil as a fifth-grade teacher at the American School of Campinas, São Paulo. In Brazil, John witnessed first hand the need for high expectations, rigorous curricula, and mentoring for English learners.

Following his return to the U.S., John served as an assistant principal and principal in public middle and elementary schools in Melrose and Framingham, Massachusetts, supporting English learners and their families.

Fluent in Portuguese, Mr. Maynard holds master’s degrees in history, curriculum and instruction, and educational administration from Northeastern and Harvard University, respectively. He completed his Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership and Policy in 2021 at Boston University.

He is currently pursuing his doctorate of education at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. John is also an adjunct lecturer at Merrimack College’s Winston School of Education and Social Policy, leading and supervising student teacher cohorts. He serves on several nonprofit boards in Massachusetts supporting education, equitable housing, and solar energy initiatives throughout the United States.

John Maynard

Founder & Executive Director

Veronica Montanez

Veronica Montanez

Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Veronica Montanez has over twenty years’ experience in real estate management and development in Greater Boston. Fluent in Spanish and English, Ms. Montanez earned her bachelor’s degree at The Sacred Heart University in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Ms. Montanez has lived in Canada, Portugal and currently resides in Washington, DC. She is committed to equitable outcomes in Massachusetts for English learners and their families.

Veronica Montanez

Board of Directors

Samuel Caulfield

Samuel Caulfield

Sam Caulfield is Director of Tax Accounting with Sempra Energy in San Diego. He holds law degrees from the University of Connecticut and New York University and is licensed to practice law in New York (retired) and Connecticut. Mr. Caulfield has dedicated his time to various non-profit organizations. He currently serves on the San Diego Diplomacy Council as Treasurer. Previously, Mr. Caulfield served on the board of trustees for the New Canaan Country School. He also served as co-president (with wife Christine) of the Parent Annual Fund for the Loomis Chaffee School.

Samuel Caulfield

Board of Directors

Robin Welch

Robin Welch

Robin Welch has served as an assistant principal and principal in Massachusetts public schools for over twenty-five years. A graduate of Framingham South High School and longtime resident of Framingham, Mr. Welch served as principal of the Woodrow Wilson School in Framingham for thirteen years supporting a predominately Brazilian-American student population. In 2005, he was named Massachusetts Elementary Principal of the Year. Mr. Welch has served on various nonprofit boards in Greater Boston including the MetroWest Jewish Family Services. Mr. Welch earned his bachelor’s degree from Framingham State University and his master’s degree in Technology Education from Lesley University.

Robin Welch

Board of Directors

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