About Us
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 currently 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.
Our Board of Directors
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.
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.
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.