Meet the Team | Educators & District Leaders - TLA

MEET THE TEAM

Grounded in Research.

Informed by Context.

Experienced in Practice.

Inspired by Possibility.

Like our services, TLA’s expertise spans the full continuum of PreK-12 education, from classrooms to central offices. Our team includes former teachers, instructional coaches, school leaders, district administrators, and superintendents who bring firsthand experience to every partnership.

Meet the educators behind the expertise.

Like our services, TLA’s expertise spans the full continuum of PreK-12 education, from classrooms to central offices. Our team includes former teachers, instructional coaches, school leaders, district administrators, and superintendents who bring firsthand experience to every partnership.

Meet the educators behind the expertise.

Dr. Rebecca Gosselin

Dr. Rebecca Gosselin

Executive Director

Zeffro Gianetti

Zeffro Gianetti

Director, System Strategy

Ed Lee

Ed Lee

Associate Director, System Strategy

Cynthia Smith

Cynthia Smith

Director, Literacies & Learning Experiences in Early Childhood and Secondary

Jennifer Arenson Yaeger

Jennifer Arenson Yaeger

Director, Educator Preparation & Elementary Programs

Cindy Stephens

Cindy Stephens

Business Manager

Dr. Gary Maestas

Dr. Gary Maestas

Senior Strategist

Rachele Karlovetz

Rachele Karlovetz

Associate Director, Engagement & Communications

Michael Hejducek

Michael Hejducek

Leadership Coach

David Yaffie

David Yaffie

Leadership Coach

Lisa Padron

Lisa Padron

Leadership Coach

Dr. Pam Gould

Dr. Pam Gould

System Strategy Consultant

MEET THE TEAM

Grounded in Research.

Informed by Context.

Experienced in Practice.

Inspired by Possibility.

Like our services, TLA’s expertise spans the full continuum of PreK-12 education, from classrooms to central offices. Our team includes former teachers, instructional coaches, school leaders, district administrators, and superintendents who bring firsthand experience to every partnership.

Meet the educators behind the expertise.

Like our services, TLA’s expertise spans the full continuum of PreK-12 education, from classrooms to central offices. Our team includes former teachers, instructional coaches, school leaders, district administrators, and superintendents who bring firsthand experience to every partnership.

Meet the educators behind the expertise.

Dr. Rebecca Gosselin

Dr. Rebecca Gosselin

Executive Director

Zeffro Gianetti

Zeffro Gianetti

Director, System Strategy

Ed Lee

Ed Lee

Associate Director, Leadership

Cynthia Smith

Cynthia Smith

Director, Literacies & Learning Experiences in Early Childhood and Secondary

Jennifer Arenson Yaeger

Jennifer Arenson Yaeger

Director, Educator Preparation & Elementary Programs

Cindy Stephens

Cindy Stephens

Business Manager

Dr. Gary Maestas

Dr. Gary Maestas

Senior Strategist

Rachele Karlovetz

Rachele Karlovetz

Associate Director, Engagement & Communications

Michael Hejducek

Michael Hejducek

Leadership Coach

David Yaffie

David Yaffie

Leadership Coach

Lisa Padron

Lisa Padron

Leadership Coach

Dr. Pam Gould

Dr. Pam Gould

System Strategy Consultant

Join Our Team

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Teaching & Learning Alliance, Inc. is an equal opportunity organization and will not allow discrimination based upon age, ethnicity, ancestry, gender, national origin, (dis)ability, race, size, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or any other status prohibited by applicable law.

Dr. Rebecca Gosselin

Dr. Rebecca Gosselin

Executive Director

Dr. Rebecca Gosselin is Executive Director of Teaching & Learning Alliance. With more than 20 years of experience in classrooms, curriculum development, nonprofit leadership, and education strategy, she has worked at every level of the PreK-12 education ecosystem. Prior to joining TLA, Rebecca led national growth and partnership strategy at EL Education as a member of the organization’s senior leadership team and oversaw the development of supplemental language arts programs at Curriculum Associates. Today, she leads TLA’s work with districts and partner organizations to align leadership, strategy, and professional learning so that every learner can flourish.

Dr. Rebecca Gosselin is Executive Director of Teaching & Learning Alliance. With more than 20 years of experience in classrooms, curriculum development, nonprofit leadership, and education strategy, she has worked at every level of the PreK-12 education ecosystem. Prior to joining TLA, Rebecca led national growth and partnership strategy at EL Education as a member of the organization’s senior leadership team and oversaw the development of supplemental language arts programs at Curriculum Associates. Today, she leads TLA’s work with districts and partner organizations to align leadership, strategy, and professional learning so that every learner can flourish.

Zeffro Gianetti

Zeffro Gianetti

Director, System Strategy

Zeff Gianetti brings over 35 years of experience in public education across seven diverse school systems. Having served as a teacher, K–12 Department Director, assistant principal, middle school principal, and Superintendent of Schools in Mansfield, MA, Zeff developed specific expertise in guiding middle schools through major restructuring and building staff capacity to innovate. Zeff continues to support districts in the areas of strategic planning, organizational leadership, and system design that enables continuous improvement.

Zeff Gianetti brings over 35 years of experience in public education across seven diverse school systems. Having served as a teacher, K–12 Department Director, assistant principal, middle school principal, and Superintendent of Schools in Mansfield, MA, Zeff developed specific expertise in guiding middle schools through major restructuring and building staff capacity to innovate. Zeff continues to support districts in the areas of strategic planning, organizational leadership, and system design that enables continuous improvement.

Ed Lee

Ed Lee

Associate Director, System Strategy

Edward Lee is the Associate Director, System Strategy at TLA. Ed brings more than 30 years of experience as a principal and district leader, including serving first as a Network Superintendent in Boston Public Schools then as Operational Superintendent for the district. His work focuses on leadership development, strategic planning, and coaching school and district leaders to strengthen instructional practice and organizational effectiveness.

Edward Lee is the Associate Director, System Strategy at TLA. Ed brings more than 30 years of experience as a principal and district leader, including serving first as a Network Superintendent in Boston Public Schools then as Operational Superintendent for the district. His work focuses on leadership development, strategic planning, and coaching school and district leaders to strengthen instructional practice and organizational effectiveness.

Cynthia Smith

Cynthia Smith

Director, Literacies & Learning Experiences in Early Childhood and Secondary

Cynthia Smith is Director of Literacies & Learning Experiences at TLA, with a focus on early childhood and secondary. She brings extensive experience as an educator, art therapist, and literacy leader in community and PreK-12 settings as well as in higher education, as a longtime lecturer at Tufts University. Cynthia’s work infuses professional learning with culturally sustaining practices and visual literacies to create engaging, inclusive learning experiences for students, teachers, and administrators.

Cynthia Smith is Director of Literacies & Learning Experiences at TLA, with a focus on early childhood and secondary. She brings extensive experience as an educator, art therapist, and literacy leader in community and PreK-12 settings as well as in higher education, as a longtime lecturer at Tufts University. Cynthia’s work infuses professional learning with culturally sustaining practices and visual literacies to create engaging, inclusive learning experiences for students, teachers, and administrators.

Jennifer Arenson Yaeger

Jennifer Arenson Yaeger

Director, Educator Preparation & Elementary Programs

Jennifer Arenson Yaeger is the Director of Educator Preparation & Elementary Programs at TLA. Jen leads the design and growth of TLA’s elementary professional learning services, including a nationally-utilized Foundations of Reading preparation program that authentically links certification requirements to evidence-based instructional practice. Jen’s work with districts, universities, and teacher residencies is informed by her early professional experience in policy and research and her career-long commitment to advancing literacy as a driver of educational equity.

Jennifer Arenson Yaeger is the Director of Educator Preparation & Elementary Programs at TLA. Jen leads the design and growth of TLA’s elementary professional learning services, including a nationally-utilized Foundations of Reading preparation program that authentically links certification requirements to evidence-based instructional practice. Jen’s work with districts, universities, and teacher residencies is informed by her early professional experience in policy and research and her career-long commitment to advancing literacy as a driver of educational equity.

Cindy Stephens

Cindy Stephens

Business Manager

Cindy Stephens is the Business Manager for TLA and brings more than a decade of experience leading financial and operational management for nonprofit and education organizations. She oversees the organization’s financial operations, bringing a thoughtful, steady approach to budgeting, compliance, and organizational effectiveness.

Cindy Stephens is the Business Manager for TLA and brings more than a decade of experience leading financial and operational management for nonprofit and education organizations. She oversees the organization’s financial operations, bringing a thoughtful, steady approach to budgeting, compliance, and organizational effectiveness.

Dr. Gary Maestas

Dr. Gary Maestas

Senior Strategist

Dr. Gary Maestas is a Senior Strategist for Educational Leadership with TLA. Gary formerly served as the Superintendent of Plymouth Public Schools (MA) and Interim Superintendent of Hingham Public Schools (MA). His more than 30 years of experience in public education also include 13 years as Commissioner for New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Gary now partners with districts to support strategic planning, executive leadership, governance, safety, and long-term organizational growth.

Dr. Gary Maestas is a Senior Strategist for Educational Leadership with TLA. Gary formerly served as the Superintendent of Plymouth Public Schools (MA) and Interim Superintendent of Hingham Public Schools (MA). His more than 30 years of experience in public education also include 13 years as Commissioner for New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Gary now partners with districts to support strategic planning, executive leadership, governance, safety, and long-term organizational growth.

Rachele Karlovetz

Rachele Karlovetz

Associate Director, Engagement & Communications

Rachele Karlovetz is the Associate Director, Engagement & Communications at TLA. Rachele joined TLA from the U.S. Department of Education, bringing expertise in design, leadership, implementation, and evaluation of large-scale programs serving multiple sectors. Rachele previously led community engagement and volunteer programming with the National Park Service. She now develops strategic communications to highlight TLA’s services, build partnerships, and illustrate how education and professional learning can serve as a bridge to community connection and civic engagement.

Rachele Karlovetz is the Associate Director, Engagement & Communications at TLA. Rachele joined TLA from the U.S. Department of Education, bringing expertise in design, leadership, implementation, and evaluation of large-scale programs serving multiple sectors. Rachele previously led community engagement and volunteer programming with the National Park Service. She now develops strategic communications to highlight TLA’s services, build partnerships, and illustrate how education and professional learning can serve as a bridge to community connection and civic engagement.

Michael Hejducek

Michael Hejducek

Leadership Coach

Michael Hejducek is a former principal who brings 38 years of experience to his practice as a Leadership Coach. As a principal, Michael served across elementary, middle, and high school settings in Texas and New Hampshire, guiding campuses to National School of Character and National School to Watch distinctions. He has mentored dozens of new principals, and currently partners with Texas districts to build strong instructional communities that drive lasting, data-informed school improvement.

Michael Hejducek is a former principal who brings 38 years of experience to his practice as a Leadership Coach. As a principal, Michael served across elementary, middle, and high school settings in Texas and New Hampshire, guiding campuses to National School of Character and National School to Watch distinctions. He has mentored dozens of new principals, and currently partners with Texas districts to build strong instructional communities that drive lasting, data-informed school improvement.

David Yaffie

David Yaffie

Leadership Coach

David Yaffie is a Leadership Coach with TLA and brings more than 40 years of experience in Texas public education, including 27 years as a campus administrator. David serving as founding principal of a new middle school and lead one of the most ethnically diverse and top-ranked high schools in Texas to four State Academic Championships. Twice named Fort Bend ISD’s Secondary Principal of the Year, David remains passionate about coaching campus and classroom leaders.

David Yaffie is a Leadership Coach with TLA and brings more than 40 years of experience in Texas public education, including 27 years as a campus administrator. David serving as founding principal of a new middle school and lead one of the most ethnically diverse and top-ranked high schools in Texas to four State Academic Championships. Twice named Fort Bend ISD’s Secondary Principal of the Year, David remains passionate about coaching campus and classroom leaders.

Lisa Padron

Lisa Padron

Leadership Coach

Lisa Padron brings 44 years of experience in education, having taught for nearly two decades before serving as Principal of Sugar Land Middle School in TX, where she led the campus from an academically acceptable rating to a Recognized status and earned statewide recognition as a Texas Monthly “Top Public School.” As a Leadership Consultant with TLA, Lisa continues to coach school administrators and mentor new teachers, drawing on her deep expertise in curriculum, school climate, and community engagement.

Lisa Padron brings 44 years of experience in education, having taught for nearly two decades before serving as Principal of Sugar Land Middle School in TX, where she led the campus from an academically acceptable rating to a Recognized status and earned statewide recognition as a Texas Monthly “Top Public School.” As a Leadership Consultant with TLA, Lisa continues to coach school administrators and mentor new teachers, drawing on her deep expertise in curriculum, school climate, and community engagement.

Dr. Pam Gould

Dr. Pam Gould

System Strategy Consultant

Dr. Pamela Gould brings more than 30 years of experience as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent in Massachusetts public schools. Throughout her career, she has led school and district improvement efforts, supported leadership development, and guided organizational change. She has extensive experience with NEASC school accreditation, serving as a team member, assistant chair, and chair on review visits across New England. She also teaches aspiring school leaders at Curry College and Bridgewater State University and serves on the Board of Cape Kid Meals, supporting children on Cape Cod who are experiencing food insecurity.

Dr. Pamela Gould brings more than 30 years of experience as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent in Massachusetts public schools. Throughout her career, she has led school and district improvement efforts, supported leadership development, and guided organizational change. She has extensive experience with NEASC school accreditation, serving as a team member, assistant chair, and chair on review visits across New England. She also teaches aspiring school leaders at Curry College and Bridgewater State University and serves on the Board of Cape Kid Meals, supporting children on Cape Cod who are experiencing food insecurity.