Meet the Team

  • Judy Delucia Ed. D.

    Founder & President

    Dr. DeLucia, president of Seaside Educational Consultants, is a dedicated professional whose career has spanned from classroom to superintendent in both pre-K-12 comprehensive and vocational systems. She has provided consultant services for the evaluation of federal and state grants, grant writing, curriculum design, staff development related to inclusionary education, and special needs programs and policies. In addition, Dr. DeLucia has expertise in turning around underrepresented schools.

    A retired school superintendent in Massachusetts, she successfully launched Seaside Educational Consultants to foster her dedication to linking professional development directly to student learning. With her extensive background in workshops and courses for educational personnel, Dr. DeLucia has been the keynote speaker at state and national conferences.

  • Steve Chiara

    Chief Financial Officer

    As Chief Financial Officer at Seaside Educational Consultants, Steve joins the team with a broad range of knowledge and experience. Armed with degrees in Electrical Engineering and an MBA in financial management, his strengths include the ability to work independently, interpersonal communication skills, and a willingness to tackle responsibility and challenges. His vast experience runs from large corporations to school fiscal management with operating budgets and performing energy cost comparisons for a technical high school.

  • Wayne Simone Jr.

    Business Manager

    Wayne began his career as a middle school math specialist and is currently a middle school mathematics teacher. He received his B.S. from Westfield State University and went on to get a Master of Education with a concentration in leadership and curriculum development at Southern New Hampshire University. Over the years his strong passion for education has been focused on mathematics data collection and analysis for all middle school grade levels. His goal is to assist mathematics teachers of all levels in data analysis that results in student growth and development.

  • Patric Barbieri

    Consultant

    Patric has been in the field of special education for 31 years, working in myriad roles including special needs teacher, educational coordinator, and program director. He has been the executive director of LABBB Collaborative for the past 15 years. His strength is in developing specialized programs for students with special needs from pre-school through high school. He has also developed a college program in collaboration with Middlesex Community College for students with disabilities who attend LABBB.

  • Curtis Bates Ed.D.

    Consultant

    Curtis comes to Seaside Educational Consultants with vast experience in administration at both the principal and superintendent level. Armed with degrees from Fitchburg State University, University of Massachusetts–Lowell, and Boston College, he has mentored principals and other administrative leaders in more than 15 school districts. Curtis has facilitated numerous workshops on elementary literacy for the Mass. Elementary School Principals’ Association and the Rhode Island Principals’ Association as well as in many school districts including, but not limited to, Essex/Manchester, Foxborough, Whitman-Hanson, and Waltham. Curtis is our consultant on Restorative Justice and Restorative Practices for School Discipline, as well as Educator Evaluation, Strategic Planning, and Teacher Mentor Training.

  • Paula Bransfield

    Consultant

    With an extensive STEM background, Paula brings an important element to Seaside Educational Consultants. Her knowledge in creating and implementing STEM standards-based curriculum and creating and conducting STEM-infused professional development makes her an asset to any school district. In addition to modeling STEM inquiry best practices, she welcomes the opportunity to work with teachers, conducting classroom visits and providing feedback. Her work establishing partnerships with higher education institutions and other stakeholders has been invaluable to the districts she has worked with. Paula’s passion of all things science makes her a valued consultant for Seaside.

  • Tom Brow

    Consultant

    Thomas joins Seaside Educational Consultants with extensive experience as a principal, instructional coach, and teacher. His strong leadership skills and dedication are evident in his long list of awards and accomplishments. Thomas was a finalist for the Massachusetts Teacher of the Year award. In addition to several excellence in teaching and leadership awards, he has been involved in fostering in our students an appreciation and respect for our nation’s veterans. He has been recognized for these efforts by several veterans’ groups with special awards and citations and was presented the Key to the City of Melrose in 2014. He is the only nonresident to have ever received this honor.

  • Philip Conrad

    Consultant

    Philip joins Seaside Educational Consultants with a proven track record of effective leadership based on rational relational partnerships designed to have a positive impact on student learning, educator satisfaction, and community continuity. His leadership experience extends from the classroom to the superintendent level.

  • Michelle Costa - Pitts

    Consultant

    Michelle has been working in the field of education for over 20 years. She is presently in a doctoral program in Educational Leadership at Southern New Hampshire University. Her dissertation will highlight a leader’s impact on happiness within an organization. Michelle has been a finalist for Massachusetts Teacher of the Year, a guest speaker for the Massachusetts Elementary School Principals’ Association, written an article for the Massachusetts Department of Education, and taught graduate-level courses through Endicott College and Lesley University. Michelle’s passion for creating and fostering an accepting and positive learning environment that benefits all community stakeholders has been at the center of her work as a leader not only in the education field but also in the corporate world.

  • Emily Dean

    Consultant

    Emily joins Seaside with a strong background in programming, instruction, and regulations guiding the development and implementation of effective programming for culturally and linguistically diverse learners in Massachusetts. She has worked with multilingual learners at all grade levels as a teacher and administrator in the Massachusetts public schools. Emily brings a strong understanding of state and federal laws protecting students and families to her work, as well as experience working through district protocols and procedures to resolve challenges, always with an eye toward serving students and supporting educators. Emily has participated in extensive training in mediation and dispute resolution. In her free time, she volunteers for the Department of Children and Families, in Case Review, ensuring that the most vulnerable children receive the full spectrum of services they require across their communities.





  • Chris Dodge

    Consultant

    As lead learner in elementary school settings for 10 years and currently as the principal at the Clark St. Community School in Worcester, MA, Christopher works to create collaborative structures and systems that bring stakeholder voice into school-level decision making, as well as strategies that promote student success and achievement. Christopher’s schools utilize these systems to promote a vision of serving the whole child, ensuring that students’ social-emotional and academic needs are being met. Most notably, in 2024, Christopher led the Dexter Park School in Orange, MA, to become a Massachusetts Department of Education appointed Innovation School, awarded for its inclusionary practice work.







  • Valerie Ardie Flynn

    Consultant

    Valerie has worked in the field of special education for her entire career in education. Armed with degrees of B.S., M.Ed., and Ed.D. in the field, she has held numerous high-level positions in school districts in Massachusetts, including critical shortage positions. Valerie has also been a visiting professor at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, and the University of Manchester, Manchester, England, in addition to being an adjunct faculty member at Framingham State University and Cambridge College in Boston, Massachusetts.

  • Maureen Gilman

    Consultant

    Maureen is a motivated and talented elementary classroom teacher turned adjunct professor with classroom experience in grades 1 through 5. In addition to being a trained DESE mentor, she has worked for Merrimack College and Endicott College as a cooperating practitioner for their student teachers. Presently, she teaches a course for Endicott College titled “Integrating Technology in the Classroom,” which focuses on introducing research-based theories, practices, and curricula related to technology. Maureen demonstrates a proven ability to successfully integrate technology in differentiating instruction. She understands the importance of incorporating 21st-century skills that are needed for the future success of our students.

  • Julie Grimm

    Consultant

    Julie is trained as a scientist and taught briefly while living abroad. During her work as a scientist she began studying meditation. By incorporating meditation and other techniques into her life, Julie was able to create transformative changes and began eliminating stressful dreams drama. Since 2015 Julie has been teaching meditation and emotional awareness to teachers, C-suite executives, and any individual who would like to move from a space of stress to self-mastery. She supports teachers and students alike and individuals who want to clear the clutter of their mind, de-stress, and live with purpose and intention.

  • Bianca Harris Ed.D.

    Consultant

    Dr. Harris has devoted her life to leading with a commitment to creating positive outcomes for underrepresented communities through education, thought leadership, systemic change, mentorship, volunteerism, and philanthropic work. She has served on the Blue Ribbon Education Commission in Louisiana and has received a school leadership Woman of Excellence award in Florida. She is currently the Chief Program Officer for the Educational Foundation of Sarasota County, Florida, and oversees all existing direct student and teacher services.

  • Keven Hutchinson Ed.D.

    Consultant

    Kevin has spent his entire career in the field of education. His experiences have led him from the classroom to administrative positions as a principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent. With his involvement with the Annenberg National School Reform Coaching Faculty, doctoral focus at Boston College, and applied practice in schools and districts, Kevin has extensive experience in building collaborative cultures through examination of teacher practice and student achievement, coaching teachers and administrators in supporting the teaching and learning process, and applying the principles of standards-based assessment and grading. In addition, he developed a district application for the state Supervision and Evaluation model with a common essential focus on teaching practices that extended to professional development, district walk-throughs, and protocol design.

  • Francine Johnson Ph.D.

    Consultant

    With more than 20 years of experience in education, Francine specializes in the academic and literacy development of English Learners (ELs). Upon earning her Ph.D. in Culture, Literacy, and Language at the University of Texas at San Antonio, Francine aims to support educators as they teach culturally and linguistically diverse students in their own contexts with a focus on social justice and humanizing pedagogy. She has experience in K-12 urban and rural contexts, community college, universities, and professional development at the K-12 and university levels. Grounded in sociocultural notions of teaching and learning, Francine enjoys collaborating with and learning from fellow educators.

  • Elizabeth (Liz) Keroack Ed.D.

    Consultant

    Dr. Keroack was one of the first consultants to join Seaside Consultants. With her comprehensive and thorough expertise in all areas of curriculum development and design, she has directed every aspect of curriculum from planning through implementation and evaluation. She has worked district-wide in individual schools, ensuring compliance with state mandates and curriculum frameworks. In addition, Dr. Keroack has designed numerous professional development courses and workshops and has presented at many state and national conferences.

  • Ann Marie Krusell

    Consultant

    From an early age, Ann Marie has had a certain zeal for working with others. The secondary level was the area of her career for several decades, enjoying the craft of English teacher, mentor supervisor, NEASC chief, and English coordinator (grades 7-12). Ann Marie has vast experience in curriculum alignment and mentoring of new teachers and others. In addition, she mentors teachers in the co-teaching classrooms.

  • Robert J. McArdle

    Consultant

    Bob’s extensive background in special education has made him an invaluable resource at Seaside. Throughout his career he has been responsible for all aspects of student services. In addition, he has been responsible for supervision, policies, and procedures within pupil personnel departments. His background also includes preparation and oversight of multimillion-dollar budgets. As a graduate-level instructor for the Northeast Consortium and numerous colleges as well as a consultant for the Massachusetts Department of Education, Bob is a highly sought-after consultant in special education.

  • Bruce Michitson

    Consultant

    Bruce is a Fellow of the Lynch Leadership Academy, Boston College. He served as a trained literacy coach, lead math teacher, and primary evaluator as principal of Golden Hill School. Bruce served with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Principals’ Advisory Council during 2014 and 2015, focused on teacher evaluation and effectiveness and teacher leadership. He was a lead author of the “Building a School Culture that Supports Teacher Leadership” DESE resource. Bruce created an effective school redesign plan through intense examination of data- and building-based leadership, successfully implementing all four Department of Education Turnaround practices. Bruce offers experience and a depth of knowledge in creating effective building-based leadership and employing productive educator evaluation that supports effective teaching.

  • Sheila Muir

    Consultant

    Beginning her career in the classroom, Sheila has transitioned through leadership positions up to and including assistant superintendent and superintendent. She works with Seaside to promote her passion for helping students achieve their greatest potential. Sheila’s workshops include professional development for teachers and leaders, co-teaching, administrator mentoring, coaching, and teacher leadership. As a result, she is able to assist teachers and leaders in developing skills and to help develop their students’ learning abilities.

  • Nick Ely-Myers

    Social Media Manager

    Nick began managing Seaside’s social media presence in 2021 as an intern through Endicott College. Upon graduating in 2023, he joined the Seaside team and advanced to the role of Seaside’s Social Media Director. Alongside his responsibilities in developing graphics for clients and advertisements, Nick’s creativity and strategic acumen have been pivotal in the growth of Seaside’s social media platforms.

  • Lisa Pacillo

    Consultant

    Lisa has extensive experience ranging from the classroom to literacy consulting to schools and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. She has delivered schoolwide and statewide professional literacy workshops, advised school principals in the implementation of literacy blocks, and analyzed and utilized data with teachers to support student growth. Also, Lisa presently supports children and families as a school liaison and advocate.

  • Shannon Pirrello

    Consultant

    Shannon adds to the Seaside family a strong belief in the benefits of inclusive education and importance of effective differentiation practices in the classroom. Before making the switch to teaching kindergarten, Shannon taught as the lead teacher in an Autism classroom for early elementary-aged students. She holds her Autism Specialist Certification from Salem State University, as well as a master’s degree from Boston College in Severe Special Needs. Her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and Human Development is also from Boston College.

  • Jared Procopio

    Consultant

    Jared has been actively working in the field of education since graduating from Assumption College in 2002. He taught 7th and 8th grade Social Studies, in a middle school team model, for most of his career before assuming his current position in 8th grade Science. During his time in middle school, he helped enact several amazing programs and events that were made possible through consistent teamwork and collaboration. Jared is adept at motivating and fostering teamwork in others, skills he honed as head coach of the middle school cross-country team for over 15 years. He is always seeking new opportunities to mentor, work with other educators, and innovate in the classroom. As a consultant for Seaside, he looks forward to lending his expertise in parent communication, team leadership, and effective lesson development.

  • Kristen Roberts

    Consultant

    A wonderful addition to the Seaside family, Kristen brings a unique talent in the Special Education field. Her experience working with diverse needs has led her to focus on working directly with families. Kristen’s goal is to not only help every child reach full potential, but also that each family blossom and achieve their desired outcomes. She provides concrete solutions for families to incorporate into their daily routines and develop calmer, happier lives together. Kristen takes pride in the relationships and trust she has formed with the families she has worked with.

  • Sally Smith-Zagaga

    Consultant

    Sally joins Seaside Educational Consultants with over 35 years of education experience. Her impressive background in special education includes consulting, evaluating, and facilitating programs in a multitude of settings. In addition to her consulting and leadership roles, she has experience in public schools as a teacher, inclusion specialist, program director, and Director of Student Services.

    Sally’s commitment to students and education continues with her current consulting work for LABBB, SEEM, and North Shore Education Consortium. She currently facilitates monthly groups for early childhood coordinators and psychologists at the EDCO Collaborative.

  • Kathy Willis

    Consultant

    Kathy’s passion for education extends from the classroom to the superintendent’s office. Her expertise has grown through her experiences as teacher, assistant principal, principal, director of curriculum, assistant superintendent, and superintendent. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education and Elementary Education at Fitchburg State University, a Master’s Degree of Education in Administration at Salem State University, and a Certificate of Advanced Education Specialization in Educational Administration at Boston College. In 2003 she received the Outstanding Educator Award from Salem State University. Through her work as a school and district leader, Kathy has demonstrated her expertise in the areas of educational leadership, culture/core values, strategic planning for continuous improvement, team building, and administration induction. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Northeast Consortium for Staff Development and is a co-facilitator for the North Shore Women’s Education Leadership Network. She has presented at workshops and conferences and served as an adjunct educator for Salem State University through the Northeast Consortium for Staff Development.

  • Linda Zakas

    Consultant

    Linda became a Seaside Consultant with experience as a classroom teacher, department leader, and curriculum director. Her focus is on classroom instruction that results in improved learning for all students. Linda has worked with teachers in the classroom and in professional development workshops.

  • Gillian Crane

    Website Director

    After growing up in New Hampshire, Gillian relocated to North Carolina to attend UNCG for Arts Administration. While there, she was a part of curating a gallery and creating community art projects. Gillian found herself working at a local gallery and selling her artwork there, which included printmaking, paintings, resin designs, and terrariums. She now works as a media manager for Martha Composting and Bamboozle, a sustainable kitchenware brand out of Greensboro, NC. There she runs the social media account, creates unique trade booth designs, and dabbles in project development. Gillian also works for Seaside Educational Consultants as our website director.