Certificate in Early Education Leadership, Harvard Graduate School of Education

M.A. Curriculum and Instruction: Literacy Specialization, Lesley University

B.A. Sociology, Boston University

Orton Gillingham Certification, A/OGA

Teacher Certification: Massachusetts, Grades 1 - 6 and New Jersey, Grades K - 8

Since moving to the island at the age of five, Emily has called Nantucket home for most of her life and career. She first worked with the Nantucket Lighthouse School community in 2007, when she assisted the School with its development efforts. Since that time, Emily has had a long career as both an educator and administrator, both at the Nantucket Lighthouse School and off island. She is a passionate school leader with a demonstrated commitment to professional growth, particularly in the areas of teacher and child development, pedagogy, social emotional learning, literacy, organizational development, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging principles.

Over the past thirty years, Emily has served in a variety of roles in schools. She has had the unique experience of teaching children in all grades from preschool through eighth grade while also fulfilling the roles of head of school, board member, director of development, division head, learning specialist, support services coordinator, and parent of independent school children. While varied, she has enjoyed every one of these positions, each offering a new perspective and broadening her understanding of the dynamic and complex nature of schools.

“It is with great enthusiasm that I rejoin the Nantucket Lighthouse School community. Having worked in public and independent schools, both on and off the island, I have been fortunate enough to learn from a variety of experts in the field of education. I am excited to bring those experiences, as well as my certification in Orton Gillingham reading instruction and early education leadership through Harvard Graduate School of Education back to Nantucket Lighthouse School.

Having previously served as the School’s Head of School for seven years and lived on the island for most of my life, I feel an enduring connection to the Nantucket Lighthouse School, as well as the broader Nantucket community. What I have long admired about Nantucket Lighthouse School is its unfaltering commitment to developmental, whole child education and its ability to curate a learning environment that is simultaneously intentional and rigorous and beautiful and nurturing. Through an integrated, project-based curriculum, students are guided to delve deeply into their classroom studies, while also participating in weekly field trips and horticulture classes that allow them to form authentic connections with the natural world and their island community. Nantucket Lighthouse School students are the future stewards of our island, and of our precious Earth.”

B.A. English Communications and Anthropology, Salve Regina University, Newport RI

Relevant Experience:

Responsive Classroom Training

Eastern Region Association of Forest and Nature Training

Sunbridge Institute Intensive

Alana Cullen graduated from Salve Regina University with a B.A. in English Communications and Anthropology. She has worked with children for over 20 years. Becoming a Nantucket Lighthouse School parent in 2013, Alana fell in love with the Lighthouse school community and philosophy of educating the whole child, while weaving arts and nature into everyday life and learning. Alana immensely enjoys teaching Small School, and you'll often hear her proclaim, "They're the most important years!" She aims to "do small things with great love." Alana and her husband, Marcus, enjoy biking and swimming with their two sons. In her free time, Alana enjoys yoga, gardening, and reading.

B.S. Interdisciplinary Studies, James Madison University

Maggie has always been passionate about helping children to be their best selves. From a young age, she began volunteering at Giant Steps School for Autistic Children in Westport, Connecticut, serving as a one-on-one aid to children, ages 5 to 18, after school. This formative experience inspired Maggie to become a teacher. While spending her childhood summers on Nantucket, Maggie worked for local camps, including ACKventure Camp for five years, and as a soccer coach at Nantucket Soccer Academy.

Maggie graduated from James Madison University in 2018 with a degree in interdisciplinary studies and a focus on education. In 2020, Maggie moved to Nantucket full-time and was honored to join the Nantucket Lighthouse School community, beginning as a Kinderclass and Small School teaching assistant before becoming a lead Small School teacher.

“Nantucket Lighthouse School is truly a one-of-a-kind school. It has completely changed my way of thinking when it comes to teaching and learning. The school’s philosophy and mission have taught me more about myself than I ever imagined! We are a family, and my colleagues are people that I can go to for anything and everything. I am honored to be a part of such an amazing school and community.”

M.Ed. Special Education, Keene State College

B.A. Early Childhood Education, Keene State College

Jessica is a compassionate educator with ten years of teaching experience. She received her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and her master’s degree in special education from Keene State College in New Hampshire. Jessica continues to pursue professional development opportunities, most recently receiving Waldorf early childhood education certification from Sunbridge Institute.

Prior to joining Nantucket Lighthouse School in 2021, Jessica was the lead pre-kindergarten teacher at Happy Child Preschool in Newton, MA, for seven years. In addition to her classroom duties, Jessica directed the annual school play and was an active member of the Happy Child Preschool’s accreditation team.

With her background in special education, Jessica is devoted to creating an inclusive and safe classroom environment. She strives to provide all her Small School students with individualized support to ensure their emotional, developmental, and academic well-being. Jessica feels fortunate to be a part of the Nantucket Lighthouse School community.

“When I first walked through Nantucket Lighthouse School, I was in awe of the warmth in the classrooms, the dedication of the teachers, and the magical wonder of the students. As a Small School teacher, I get to watch young students flourish because of our play-based approach, thoughtful art projects, and respect for the world around us. Every day I feel fortunate to be a part of the Nantucket Lighthouse School community.”

B.S Journalism, Suffolk University

Certificate in Early Childhood Education, Fisher College

Emma was born and raised on Nantucket and is grateful to relive the magic of an island childhood through her students’ eyes. After graduating with her bachelor’s degree from Suffolk University, Emma obtained Early Childhood Education Certification from Fisher College and earned her Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certification from International TEFL Academy.

Emma enthusiastically joined Nantucket Lighthouse School in 2020, serving as a teaching assistant before becoming the Kinderclass teacher in 2022. Emma fosters a classroom environment where children love coming to school and are excited to learn. As a teacher, Emma strives to ensure that her students arrive at and leave school with smiles. Emma appreciates working at a school that allows her to share her passions for reading, baking, and the natural world.

“I love working at Nantucket Lighthouse School because of the supportive and collaborative community of faculty, teachers, and families. I appreciate that Nantucket Lighthouse School educates the whole child and is guided by the principle to provide every individual with what they need to learn and grow.”

M.Ed. Human Development and Psychology, Harvard University

B.A. Psychology & Spanish, Colgate University

Maggie is an inclusive and affirming educator with a strength-based approach that empowers and engages her students. Maggie began her teaching career in Myanmar in 2015 at the International Buddhist Education Center. She has traveled, studied, volunteered, and worked in over twenty countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. Maggie enthusiastically joined the Nantucket Lighthouse School community in 2021. As an educator, she strives to see individuals as they are, not as others expect them to be.

After graduating magna cum laude from Colgate University, Maggie earned a master’s degree in human development and psychology from Harvard University Graduate School of Education. During her time at Harvard, Maggie conducted research exploring contextual factors shaping adolescents’ ethnic-racial development. Additionally, Maggie has worked as a research assistant at the University of Colorado’s Clinical Research for Evidence-based Services and Training Lab, studying scalable and sustainable methods to promote self-esteem, compassion, leadership, and access for female-identifying adolescents.

Maggie holds Teaching English as a Foreign Language certification and is a certified yoga instructor, life coach, and Reiki Master. Maggie continues to pursue professional development opportunities, completing training at Sunbridge Institute, Responsive Classroom, Calming Kids Youth Yoga & Mindfulness, and Art Therapy Studio Methods.

“To me, Nantucket Lighthouse School- its community and its campus- is a place imbued with natural magic. It is a caring laboratory priming students to learn learning, to enjoy enjoyment, and to discover discovery. It is a time and place of transformation, recognizing what we all are and what we will be. It is a school where I am proud to be both a teacher and to remain a student.”

Ph.D. in Visual Art (In Progress), Institute for Doctoral Studies in Visual Arts

M.F.A. Vermont College of Fine Art

B.F.A. Montserrat College of Art

Nantucket Lighthouse School was delighted to welcome CJ as the third-grade teacher in 2022.

CJ is an artist-philosopher, educator, and researcher who has 28 years of teaching experience.  CJ spent many years in the New York public school system teaching learners from a variety of backgrounds. In addition, she has worked as an audio/visual librarian, a teaching assistant at the Institute for Doctoral Studies in Visual Arts, and spent ten years as an art teacher at a Montessori school in New Hampshire.

In addition to earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fine art, CJ is a Ph.D. candidate at the Institute for Doctoral Studies in Visual Arts. Her dissertation is entitled “For the Love of Nonsense: Toward an Ontology of the Non-Narrative.” Her essay, “A Psychological Journey into Otherness,” was published in the book Risk Change: Between Mobility Control and Social Transformation (2020).

CJ has three grown children and two amazing dogs.

"I love Nantucket Lighthouse School because with “head, heart, and hands” at the core of this community, our potential together grows and strengthens each day."

M.A. School Counseling, New York University

B.A. American Studies, Columbia University

Julia was born and raised on Nantucket and is a passionate educator with over a decade of experience advocating for island children. She first joined Nantucket Lighthouse School in 2010, where she taught for seven years. In addition, Julia has been a teacher at the Montessori Children’s House and worked in the counseling department at Nantucket Elementary School.

After graduating with her bachelor’s degree from Columbia University, Julia obtained lead teacher certification from the ECC and American Montessori Society certification from Northeast Montessori Institute. She earned her master’s in school counseling from NYU, where she gained experience in individual and group counseling, cross-cultural counseling, and the informal and formal assessment of children and adolescents in schools. Her experience with strength-based, solution-focused strategies and interventions helps support the social, emotional, and academic development of all Nantucket Lighthouse School students.

"When I became a parent, I knew Nantucket Lighthouse School would be the ideal environment for my own children to develop character, critical thinking, and an intrinsic love of learning. I am delighted to step into the position of Director of Admissions to introduce new families to Nantucket Lighthouse School’s engaging, joyful community.

I am also honored to collaborate with children, families, and teachers as the school counselor. It is a privilege to be a part of a school community that profoundly values the well-being of the whole child."

M.Ed. Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, University of Texas at Arlington

B.S. Human Environmental Sciences & Art History, University of Alabama

Cayla has almost a decade of experience as an elementary and intermediate school teacher and math interventionist, specialist, and coach in Texas and on Nantucket. Prior to moving to Nantucket, Cayla's involvement with The United Way of Metropolitan Dallas led to her becoming a member of the inaugural class of March Tocqueville Fellows; a social innovation experience designed to engage young professionals in fundraising, volunteering, and advocacy. Her nonprofit work has primarily been focused on educational equity.

Since graduating from The University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science, Cayla obtained an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from The University of Texas at Arlington. She has engaged in extensive professional development in curriculum writing; nonprofit success and community engagement; data-driven pedagogy; responsive classroom; and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

"As a parent to a Small Schooler, I have seen firsthand the impact of Nantucket Lighthouse School's whole-child approach and the student-centered learning that takes place every day. I am thrilled and honored to share the mission, vision, and philosophy of Nantucket Lighthouse School with the greater community as Director of Development."

B.A. Graphic Design, Mount Ida College

Jess was born and raised on Nantucket and has over ten years of experience as a seasoned graphic and website designer. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Mount Ida College, Jess founded Salt Air Designs. Since 2014, Salt Air Designs has been a leading island website company offering comprehensive services to help local businesses stand out in an increasingly competitive digital landscape. Through her company, Jess has established herself as an island expert in branding, print design, and web design. Additionally, Jess has been a long-term substitute teacher at Nantucket Public Schools and an office manager for a construction company with projects across Cape Cod and the Islands.

“As someone who is passionate about creating effective and beautiful designs, I appreciate how beauty and intention are incorporated into all aspects of a Nantucket Lighthouse School education.”