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
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
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
Agustin (Gus) is the Office Manager and Program Assistant at the Nantucket Community School. He works with early childhood, and adult education; including Extended day, playgroups and the ESOL program. He provides Spanish Translation and interpretation. Agustin hopes to facilitate communication with all our denizens on-island and help them and their children find the right program on our island. Gus has been on Nantucket for more than a decade, and graduated from Nantucket High School in 2017. His hobbies include playing video games, long walks and lot of eating at places he can barely afford; which includes most places on-island.
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
Isabelle joined the team as Aquatics Coordinator in June 2025, but her work at the Nantucket Community Pool began 20 years earlier. Isabelle tried out for the Nantucket Dolphins Swim Team back in 2005, and from there, her passion for swimming only grew. Isabelle started to get more involved at the pool when she hit her high school years. In addition to competing herself, she began teaching children’s swim lessons, and coaching the Junior Dolphins Swim Team. Isabelle then swam on the Whaler’s Varsity Swim Team, and got a scholarship to swim Division II at Assumption University. At school, Isabelle majored in Biology and minored in Psychology. After graduation, Isabelle traveled to several Central American countries, as well as Morocco, Portugal, and Hawaii to surf. Now, being back at her home pool, Isabelle enjoys creating the programs she grew up with well as new program opportunities for all to enjoy.
A fun fact about Isabelle is that she is 10th generation on Nantucket. Also, she has never been stung by a bee.
Bio
Amy is a 35 year resident of Nantucket, moving here after graduating college at UMass Amherst. Amy’s teacher training brought her to NES where she began in the extended day program. She then taught preschool privately for many years. Amy has coached youth sports and worked with the Nantucket S.T.A.R. program. Amy said being back in the office at NES is like a “homecoming!” She loves the electric atmosphere. Facilitating students and adults in achieving a driver’s license and added independence is really satisfying. When she’s not entering data or driving around Nantucket, Amy can be found playing disc golf in the state forest!
Bio
Kerrie Willis was born and raised in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and has called Nantucket home since 2006. Shortly after moving to the island, Kerrie began attending playgroups at the Nantucket Community School with her then six-month-old daughter. Her experience with the program inspired her to become more involved, and last year she began facilitating playgroups full-time for NCS, creating meaningful connections and engaging experiences for local children and families. Kerrie lives on Nantucket with her two daughters, Aubrey and Charlotte. She feels fortunate to call the island home and especially loves its wonderful community, natural beauty, and the many opportunities to connect with the people who make Nantucket such a special place.
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.