Our Staff
Maria Hagopian, Director of Finance and Administration
Maria (she/her/ella) supports all TWM business operations including procurement, human resources, and financial operations. Prior to joining the Teach Western Mass team, Maria provided bookkeeping services to TWM as a contractor. Before becoming a bookkeeper she worked for five years as an English/Language Arts Teacher in a private, junior high school, then four years as a Literacy Teacher in a public charter school, and two years in education administration as an Academic Data Specialist. Maria earned her undergraduate degree from Williams College. Maria believes the opportunity to receive a high-quality education is a basic right and the key to a better life for everyone. She enjoys being by the ocean, studying, and spending time with friends and family. Maria lives in Springfield with her husband and daughter.
Alejandro Alfaro, Communications and Development Manager
Alejandro (he/him/his) brings over a decade of expertise in international non-profit development, communications, and marketing strategy. Leveraging his background in media administration, he excels at creating strategic content that advances organizational goals and enhances web presence. Alejandro has played a key role in international education programming, including recruitment, growth, and administration for numerous U.S. State Department-sponsored academic and non-academic global exchange programs. He has collaborated with universities, colleges, businesses, and non-profits both locally in Massachusetts and internationally. Originally from El Salvador, Alejandro has substantial experience working with students and educators from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. He holds a B.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications with a specialization in Business Planning from Escuela Mónica Herrera and has served as a Visiting Scholar at the Center for International Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Residing in Northampton, Alejandro enjoys biking on the Norwottuck Rail Trail in his free time.
Melisa Grandison, Director of Residency
Melisa (she/her/ella) leads the TWM Residency program of study. She earned her B.A in K-12 Education and Applied Communication from McPherson College and later earned her M.A. in Spanish Literature from Wichita State University. Melisa has a decade of experience in education which includes curriculum development, K-12 teaching, instructional and leadership coaching, administration and advocacy and has done the majority of this work here in Western Massachusetts. Melisa is passionate about anti-racism and justice work and has spent 10 years on the board of directors for a national nonprofit doing this transformative work. She believes in the power of education as one of the most useful tools of change and is excited to help equip new educators with the necessary skills to provide area students with the education they deserve. Melisa lives in Holyoke where, in her free time, she enjoys reading, organizing, and frequenting community spaces and events with her family.
Emma Martin, Resident Faculty Member
Emma Martin (she/they) is a resident faculty member with TWM and has spent the last decade working to transform math teaching and learning. She earned her B.A. in Education and Child Study with a minor in Chemistry from Smith College, and later earned both a Master of Arts in Teaching and a second master’s degree in Math Teaching and Leadership from Mount Holyoke College. Emma began her career as an elementary and middle school math teacher before serving as a middle school math interventionist, supporting students in developing strong foundations and confidence in mathematics. She has also worked extensively as an instructional coach, partnering with educators to strengthen their math instruction and create classrooms where students lead in discovering patterns, developing concepts, and engaging deeply with challenging mathematics. Emma is deeply committed to advancing equity and access in math education and views conceptual learning as a critical step in ensuring all students can keep doors open to future educational and career opportunities. She believes every student is capable of success in mathematics. Emma lives in Western Massachusetts, where she enjoys coaching fitness classes at her gym, reading, knitting, and spending time with her two huskies.
Aly Kenney, AmeriCorps Administrator
Aly (she/her/ella) is the AmeriCorps Administrator at TWM, where she coordinates member enrollment, and ensures residents are in compliance with AmeriCorps program guidelines. Aly served as an AmeriCorps VISTA Leader with Campus Compact, and also served in the Peace Corps in Guyana, working on literacy and youth wellness initiatives. She earned her Master’s in International Development and Social Change from Clark University. Aly is a lifelong resident of Massachusetts who lives with her adopted Guyanese fur-babies: a cat named Bora (Guyanese for “string bean”) and a dog named Phoenix. She enjoys making pottery, painting, and adventuring to new places!
Board of Directors
Ali Mathias (MassMutual Foundation) - President & Chair
Tricia Canavan (TechFoundry) - Treasurer
Alexandra Steinhauer (Libertas Academy) - Clerk
Paul Belsito (Harvard Graduate School of Education)
Lydia Martinez (Community Partners)
Stephen Mahoney (Veritas Prep High School)
Modesto Montero (Libertas Academy)