Leadership

Paul Stein

Executive Director

 

Dr. Paul Stein joined Schools for Children in July 2017. His career includes varied roles in teaching and educational administration. He served as the superintendent of Wayland (Mass.) Public Schools and as the deputy superintendent of Newton Public Schools. He is the past principal of Day Middle School in Newton and past house administrator of Pollard Middle School in Needham. He began his career as a math teacher in alternative, special education school settings and served for several years as the director of Full Circle High School in Somerville. 

 

Dr. Stein earned his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, an M.Ed. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, a second master’s in special education from Lesley University, and a doctorate in educational administration from Boston University. 

 

Rebecca Altepeter

Head of School, Dearborn Academy

 

After her first visit to Dearborn Academy in the mid-1990s, Rebecca Altepeter left and told her friends and family, “Someday I will work there. They are doing incredible work and it feels like family.” Rebecca finally realized her dream when she became the director in 2016 after building her leadership skills as the principal at a therapeutic residential and day school for adolescent girls and as a coordinator in the Office of Student Services for Cambridge Public Schools. Rebecca earned her B.S. with a dual major in Slavic and environmental studies from Indiana University and her M.S. in Moderate Special Needs from Wheelock College. She holds certifications as a Special Education Administrator, Moderate Special Needs teacher, and General Educator. ​

 

 

Bev Beno

Chief Financial Officer

 

Bev Beno joined Schools for Children in 2018. As Chief Financial Officer, she manages the accounting, finance, audit, financial reporting, human resources, investment and budgeting functions for the nonprofit. She is responsible also for fiscal analysis, financial services development, and the physical plant and facilities of our five Boston-area schools and programs as well as our headquarters in Winchester, Mass. Bev brings a strong knowledge of special education programming and over 20 years of experience working in the business offices of educational nonprofits and collaboratives. She is a graduate of Duke University and is licensed in Massachusetts as a school business administrator.

 

 

Rhiannon McElwee

Head of School, Lesley Ellis School

 

Rhiannon brings years of experience as a teacher, curriculum leader, and administrator. For the past 14 years, she has been at the Stevens Cooperative School in New Jersey, a school akin in philosophy and values to those at Lesley Ellis. She holds a Master of Arts from the University of Glasgow and a Professional Graduate Diploma of Education from the University of Strathclyde in Scotland. Rhiannon is uniquely suited to be the next Head of School because of her ability to make genuine connections with students, her teaching expertise, her leadership abilities, and her passion for progressive education.

She exudes a sense of joy and excitement for her work and for Lesley Ellis in particular. She was described by those who work with her as a dynamic and innovative teacher who sets a high bar. She is a big picture thinker who offers fresh perspectives and routinely elevates conversations.

 

 

Scott McGinn

Program Director, STEP Program

 

Scott graduated from Saint Anselm College with a Bachelor’s degree in English and obtained a Master’s degree in Secondary Education from American International College.

He began his career working with at-risk youth as a teacher and coordinator for Quincy Public Schools. Scott then moved to Maine, where he spent several years working in home settings to support families with children on the autism spectrum. Upon moving back to Massachusetts, he worked for ten years as an administrator at a therapeutic day school in Braintree, MA.

Scott comes to STEP with two core beliefs: all students want to be seen and all students can be successful. When educators show genuine care and curiosity toward their students and help them feel understood, they can truly make a difference. STEP’s mission is to provide guidance for districts and hope for caregivers and students who are facing barriers in their school experience.

 

 

Ashley Quan

Director, Winn Brook Extended Learning 

 

Ashley earned her Bachelor’s degree from Wheelock College. She joins WBExL after having previously worked for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston for ten years. Her many roles included Art Director and Summer Camp Director in Dorchester. Most recently, she served as the Club Director through the Boys & Girls Club at the Condon School in South Boston.

Ashley’s Winn Brook roots run deep. Raised in Belmont, she attended Winn Brook as a child.

 

 

Alex Tsonas

Director, Seaport Academy

 

Alex Tsonas joined Seaport Academy as a school counselor in 1998. Two years later, he became Seaport’s director. Alex’s experience includes working as an assistant director in a residential program, a therapist for a home-based individual and family treatment agency, and a counselor running substance abuse and anger management groups serving youths in Lynn, Massachusetts. Alex has managed Seaport Academy’s evolution from a small, 12-student program to a successful all-boys, state-approved alternative high school serving 28+ students in Grades 8-12. An avid hiker and runner, Alex earned his LICSW license in 2016. He has a B.A. from Colgate University and an M.A. from Salem State College.

 

 

Jorge Gonzalez

Chief Information Officer

 

Jorge Gonzalez joined Schools for Children in 2015. Jorge’s professional experience includes Clinical, Educational, and Technology backgrounds with over 30 years of managing different types of programs. He obtained a Master’s degree in Experimental Psychology and a second Master’s degree in Information Technology. He completed his Chief Technology Officer certificate from the Massachusetts Educational Technology Administrators Association in 2020.