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Derrick Alfama
ELC Teacher
Jessica Barros
ELC Teacher
My name is Jessica Barros, and I have worked with children for 8 years. Caring with children has always been a passion of mine. Before I came to Epiphany, I was an assistant director of a Boys & Girls club while obtaining my BS in Early Childhood Education in Inclusive Settings from UMass Boston. I have worked with Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers and am excited to join Infant Room 1. I am thankful to be able to aid in the growth and development of each child that I come across. I look forward to being a part of this school.
Anabel Bautista
Administrative Assistant
Anabel brings over a decade of administrative experience to her role. She has previously worked as an Operations Manager at UP Academy Charter Middle School for three years. She is passionate about leveraging her skills to create efficient and welcoming environments in educational settings. She thrives in fast-paced roles that require attention to detail and strong interpersonal communication. Originally from New York City, she has been in the Boston Community for about 14 years. Recently, Anabel became a new mom to a six-month-old baby girl. In her free time, she loves spending time with her husband, daughter, and cooking. Bilingual in Spanish and English, Anabel is excited to be part of the Epiphany community.
Chanda Carvalho
ELC Teacher
Chanda is a passionate advocate for education, grounded in her love for psychology and her desire to empower young minds. As a proud Cape Verdean and bilingual individual, her background enriches her commitment to fostering inclusive educational environments. Recently completing her studies, Chanda has deepened her expertise in education and developmental psychology, focusing on child development and family involvement. When she’s not working, she enjoys watching the Celtics, traveling with loved ones, and embracing her flair for style. Through her dedication to education and her cultural roots, Chanda continues to inspire and uplift those around her.
Emily Centeio
Director of ELC Graduate Support and Co-Director of ELC
Ms. Centeio graduated from Epiphany in 2002. After high school at Rivers, Ms. Centeio went on to attain a B.A in Economics and Psychology at Smith College and returned to Epiphany as a Teaching Fellow in 2010 where she is now the Family Engagement Director. During her time as a Teaching Fellow, she was inspired to attain a master’s degree in School Counseling at Boston College with hopes to address the social emotional development of our students and the needs of families.
Corina Coleman
ELC Director of Admissions and Early Relational Support
Corina Coleman recently joined the Epiphany Early Learning Center community. She graduated from Temple University with a degree in African American History and Women’s Studies and began working in healthcare and non-profit administration in the Boston area. After working for a few years, Corina decided to pursue a career in education. She obtained her Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University and the Teacher Training Program at the Shady Hill School in Cambridge. Corina began her teaching career at The Little Red School House in NYC. She has taught in both independent and public schools. Since joining the Epiphany family she has been endorsed as an Infant/Child Mental Health Consultant, a registered Circle of Circle International classroom & caregiver facilitator, and has been trained in birth support. She brings her passion for early childhood education and working with families to her role at the ELC.
Corina lives with her husband and two children and is a native of the Boston area.
Keesha Barbosa Nunes DePina
Infant Teacher ELC
Keesha is currently a Lead Infant Teacher at the Epiphany Early Learning Center. She joined the school 3 years ago hoping to bring her Artistic background to teaching. Outside of teaching, she has her own Art Business and loves to create in her free time. She studied business management at Wentworth Institute of Technology and over 10 years experience with youth leadership development.
Sasha Feliciano
Family Navigator
Sasha recently started working at Epiphany Early Learning Center as the Family Navigator. Sasha graduated Regis College where she obtained her B.A in Liberal studies with a minor in Social Work. Sasha grew up in Roxbury, and found a passion for wanting to be part of her community and help others. Sasha started exploring her career as a residential counselor for youth in DCF, DYS, and DMH. Sasha's passion for helping families grew from her experience with her oldest son, the difficulty of navigating the mental health system and having to advocate for the support he needed to be successful in school. Sasha understands the importance of supporting families during the crucial ages of 0-5, her passion has led her to obtain her certificate in DC 0-5: Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood. Sasha has worked in the community of Dorchester and Roxbury throughout the past 10 years, during this time she learned the importance of providing wraparound services to the whole family with a focus on the identified client. Her passion has led her to the ELC with the goal of leaving no child behind.
Christii Hall Gil
ELC Teacher
Jadiayah Markland
ELC Teacher
Dana Hopkins McGill
Elizabeth Mendelewski
ELC Lead Teacher
Liz Mendelewski has known that she wanted to work with children ever since she was a child herself. She started volunteering with a younger girl scout troop when she was ten, was babysitting by 11, and she knew that teaching was her calling by the time she entered high school. In college, she did a work study at Head Start while pursuing her BA in teaching, and eventually her MA in early childhood education. After college she was a nanny for almost seven years, before working in an aftercare and extended day programs for two years. Outside of work, she lives in a log cabin north of the city with her husband John, their cat Space, and their dog Thyme. Liz loves to be outside and does a lot of hiking and kayaking. She is very into Boston sports and loves going to Sox games at Fenway, and B's games at The Garden.
Charo Mercedes
ELC Lead Teacher
Charo Mercedes is a licensed childhood director from the EEC department and a graduate of Urban College of Boston with an early childhood education degree working as a teacher at our learning center. She has a lot of experience with her, with around 20 years of working with different communities and helping children reach their full potential within their developmental growth. She also tends to teach children some of her curriculum in Spanish as well as English because it stimulates the brain and helps them be ahead of the curve. She has a passion for helping families and ran her own family daycare for three years. Charo’s motto is that an educator never stops learning, so she continues learning from families, children, coworkers, and the EEC community as part of this great team at Epiphany Learning Center.
Elica Teixeira
ELC Teacher
Elica Teixeira joined the Epiphany ELC family in the summer 2021. After spending a year teaching in China in 2016, she was excited to expand her role as a preschool teacher at the Transportation Children's Center for the past 5 years. Together with a team of amazing and creative teachers, she provides a nurturing and loving environment here at Epiphany. In her classroom, children can learn and experience new challenges that will help build their confidence while they play. She is a 2014 Northeastern University graduate with a major in Art and Design. Her background has allowed her to have the best job in the world teaching and inspiring children to learn about their world through the lens of art. She looks forward to continuing to have a positive impact on the children's growth and to new discoveries. Working with all the children at Epiphany brings her great joy, and she values her role supporting families on their parenting journey!
Anaiya Montgomery
ELC Teacher
My name is Anaiya Montgomery. I was born and raised in Boston, MA, where I attended the Dr. William Henderson K-12 Inclusion School. There, I learned the importance of treating others with respect, regardless of race, background, or ability. Knowing that I love being around people, I began working as a camp counselor at the Mildred Community Center and later joined The Croft School as an associate teacher. It was there that I truly fell in love with going to work each day to have fun and learn with the kids.
As I continue my education in child growth and development, I’m driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact in children’s lives. Teaching allows me to show love and understanding, which can make a real difference. That’s why I teach—to spread kindness and positivity. There’s nothing more rewarding than the hugs and cuddles from students with whom I’ve built strong connections.
In my free time, I enjoy going for walks, spending time with family and friends, and watching anime!