Bio
Melissa Araujo was born and raised in Puerto Rico and is bilingual. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 2004 and in 2010 she received a master’s degree in School Psychology. Melissa worked as a school psychologist for five years, providing therapy services to students receiving special education in public schools. She moved to the United States after Hurricane Maria passed through Puerto Rico and worked for two years with the Seven Hills Foundation as a Direct Support at Stetson School in Barre, MA. In 2020, Melissa moved to Cape Cod and worked for Cape Abilities as a Developmental Specialist for four years, providing independent life skills to people with disabilities. She joined the Nantucket Community School team in 2024 as a bilingual teacher. Melissa has a daughter and grandson.
Bio
Diana Almarante Arias was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to Nantucket in 2022. She started working for the Nantucket Community School in 2024 in the Extended Day, GED, and Summer Boost programs. She speaks English and Spanish and has an associate of applied science degree in Office Technology- Medical Manager. Diana enjoys working with the Nantucket Community School facility and children and loves to go to the beach with her family during her free time.
Bio
Born in Scotland, Pauline has lived on Nantucket for 29 years. She began working with the Nantucket Community School as a playgroup facilitator when her son James, a 2023 Nantucket High School graduate, was a year old. She has held many roles within the Early Childhood department. Pauline said she enjoys being part of a dedicated team of program facilitators and outreach personnel.
Bio
Alicia is an island native who joined the Community School in 2022 after more than a decade of working as a teacher and administrator at Nantucket New School. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Boston University (’08) and a master’s degree in education from Northeastern University (’17). Her husband, Jason Graziadei, is the editor-in-chief for Nantucket Current. Together, they have two sons, Emmett and Owen.
Bio
Jazmine was born and raised in Connecticut. She relocated to Nantucket and joined the Nantucket Community School team in 2021. Jazmine started as the Gymnastics Lead Instructor and Dance Instructor and was hired full-time as the Sports and Wellness Coordinator in May 2023. She is responsible for organizing year-round wellness programs across all NCS departments.
Bio
Brian moved to Nantucket permanently in March of 2019. He and his family have been coming to Nantucket since the late 70’s. Prior to joining the Nantucket Community School as the Adult Education Coordinator, Brian held a variety of leadership positions in management and IT consulting organizations serving the US federal government and public utilities market. Early in his career, he was Academic Dean at the Governor’s Academy in Byfield, MA. He and his wife Susan have two children and four grandchildren.
Bio
Denise began as the Driver’s Education Coordinator with the Community School in 2022 after working at the RMV on the island for several years. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in counselor education, both from Penn State University. Denise has two sons (whom she taught to drive!) and enjoys gardening, reading, and traveling.
Bio
Lindsay was born and raised on Nantucket and joined the Nantucket Community School team in late 2016 after nearly seven years of working as a journalist on the island. She graduated from Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT (‘09) with a bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in journalism. Her role at NCS as the Director of Communications combines her love of writing and being creative while also working with members of the public, many of whom she has grown to know over her years of working and living here.
Bio
Susan began working as an Early Childhood Educator soon after completing her education at Boston University in the mid-1970’s. She worked in a wide variety of teaching jobs before moving to Nantucket in 2011 where she quickly connected with the Nantucket Community School and became a Family Educator and Outreach Specialist. She also works at the island animal shelter, NiSHA, as a Humane Educator. Susan lives in Madaket with her husband Peter and her three rescue animals. She and Peter have a son, Parker, who currently lives in Brooklyn and works as a staff editor at the New York Times.
Bio
James joined the NCS team in 2022. He grew up in Fairfield County, Connecticut, but has been coming to Nantucket his whole life. After graduating from Virginia Tech, he joined the Chelsea Piers Aquatics Club coaching staff in Stamford, Connecticut. He also ran the aquatics department at two elite country clubs in Fairfield County: Tokeneke Beach Club in Darien and the Greenwich Country Club.
James lives on Nantucket with his wife Abby and their daughter Anna. He said he looks forward to bringing an energetic and fun-filled culture to Nantucket’s swimming program.
Bio
Kerrie Willis was born and raised in Foxborough, MA. She moved to Nantucket in 2006 and started attending playgroups at the Nantucket Community School with her then 6-month-old daughter. She began facilitating playgroups for NCS at that time and came on staff part-time five years ago. Kerrie lives on the island with her husband, Chuck, and two daughters, Aubrey and Charlotte. She said she loves living on Nantucket because of the wonderful community and beautiful nature surrounding us.
Bio
Andrea came to the Community School in 2022 with over twenty years of experience working with non-profit organizations, most recently as Director of Operations at the Nantucket Community Music Center. She holds a BA in History from Smith College and a MA in American Studies from Trinity College in Hartford. Andrea moved to Nantucket in 2017 with her husband, Jim, three children, Henry, Emmeline, and Charlie, and a variety of cats and chickens.