Experience:
Executive Director Tom McLaughlin (he/him) joined LearningWorks in June 2023. Tom grew up in Texas, but has spent time in Maine for decades with his family - he is thrilled to now call it home. Tom has more than 30 years of experience as a teacher and school leader. He has served as a Head of School at K-12 independent schools in Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Texas. He has extensive experience as a strategic consultant, presenter, and facilitator with a variety of non-profits, faith communities, and schools. He will draw heavily on his expertise in curricular development, programs design, fundraising, community relations, and financial and human resource management in his role. Tom is eager to collaborate with all LearningWorks’ staff, supporters, and community partners to empower every learner with the tools, resources, and confidence they need to realize their full potential. Tom earned his B.A. at Benedictine College and his M.A. at Boston College. When not at work, Tom engages in a variety of sports, explores the Maine outdoors, tends a garden, practices yoga, and treasures time with his family.
Favorite Ice Cream:
Peppermint from Kettle Cove
Favorite Song:
"On the Turning Away" by Pink Floyd
Experience:
Zoë is excited to be joining the LearningWorks team as the South Portland Afterschool Site Director. Zoë started out as an elementary public school teacher in New York and later transitioned to working internationally, serving as the Director of Education for organizations in Ghana—where she founded a new junior high school—and in Sierra Leone, where she was tasked with restarting the schools and education programming in the Bongema village in the wake of the Ebola epidemic. Since then, she’s had the opportunity to partner with a variety of schools, districts, and organizations, with the goal of strengthening multicultural communities and expanding high quality learning opportunities for all students. Zoë received a bachelor’s degree from Barnard College, majoring in sociology and education, and received her master’s degree from Columbia University’s Teachers College, where she became a Literacy Specialist through the school’s Curriculum and Teaching program. Zoë loves playing games and solving jigsaw puzzles. She’s also an avid fantasy baseball player and continues to participate in a league with colleagues she met at her first teaching job in Harlem.
Favorite Ice Cream:
Cookie Dough
Favorite Song:
Wavin’ Flag by K’NAAN
Favorite Learning Moment:
When Zoë took a college course, Young Children, Families, and Social Policy, her professor, Dr. Fennimore, taught her that once you develop a core conviction, your decisions should always align with that belief. Ever since, Zoë has kept a post-it taped on her office wall with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #4 written on it, as a daily reminder of her personal mission
Experience:
English Language and Literacy Director Amos Libby joined the LearningWorks team in January 2021. In his role at LearningWorks, Amos coordinates and oversees EL+LP’s mission to bring quality, no-cost English language education to new Mainers in the refugee, migrant, and asylum-seeker communities. A polyglot fluent in multiple languages who has a passion for language acquisition and education, Amos has worked as an educator and social worker both in Maine and internationally for over 15 years. Amos earned his B.A. in International Studies from Long Island University’s international programs in India and Central America and graduated from Middlebury College Arabic Language School as a recipient of the Kathryn Davis Fellowship for Peace. Amos has a long history of serving and building relationships with marginalized communities in Portland in his previous capacity as a case manager and human services counselor at the Preble Street Resource Center and the City of Portland Oxford St. Shelter, respectively. Amos has also worked as a music educator for almost a decade and half as an adjunct faculty member at Bates and Bowdoin Colleges (with a yearlong stint at Colby College, as well) where his work focused on the traditional music of South Asia and the Middle East. When he’s not working, Amos is dreaming of his next visit to Sicily to spend time with his relatives and playing the oud (an 11-stringed fretless Middle Eastern lute). You might also find him in the kitchen cooking new dishes from around the world and talking about much he loves dogs.
Favorite Ice Cream:
Millefoglie
Favorite Song:
“Ferma Zitella” by Ludovico Einaudi and Giancarlo Paglilunga
Experience:
LearningWorks YouthBuild Director Nate Snow (he/him/his) joined the LearningWorks team in March 2020. In his role at LW, Nate oversees all aspects of the LWYB program. Nate grew up mostly in New Hampshire, but has always spent time in Maine and is excited to be back in Vacationland full-time. Nate has spent more than 25 years working in various educational settings as a teacher, counselor, coach and administrator. He has also served as the director of a teen center, worked in court diversion programs and therapeutic recreation and volunteered as a guardian ad litem. Most recently, Nate spent 13 years as the Dean of Students and Associate Head of School at the White Mountain School in Bethlehem, NH. Nate graduated from Bowdoin College with degrees in Philosophy and French and earned his M.Ed in Counseling from the University of New Hampshire. Nate stumbled accidentally into teaching when, as a college student, he tagged along on a friend’s interview for a summer job. He credits much of his philosophy as an educator to his 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Bron, who cared deeply about her students while never missing an opportunity to have fun and laugh (especially at ourselves). Nate lives in Arundel with his family (wife Amy, sons Owen and Tyler, and overly enthusiastic golden retriever Lincoln). When not working, Nate enjoys all forms of human-powered recreation in the woods, on the water, at the beach, or in the mountains.
Favorite Ice Cream:
Ben and Jerry's Non-Dairy Chocolate Fudge Brownie
Favorite Song:
"Wonderful Day" by O.A.R.
Victoria Morrill
LearningWorks YouthBuild Academic & Program Coordinator
Experience:
Victoria (she/her/hers) has been with LearningWorks since 2014. She started in the Aim High program as an AmeriCorps member and continued on with the program as a site coordinator. She then switched roles with LearningWorks and became the Lead Teacher for LearningWorks YouthBuild. This lead to her current role as Academic & Program Coordinator. She earned a degree in Early Childhood Education from UMaine at Farmington. Other than a brief stint in Florida, she’s what you would consider a lifelong Mainah. The fact that, as a child, Victoria lined up her stuffed animals and gave them tests indicates that she was destined for a career in education. She credits her high school choir teacher for making her dreams of being a teacher a reality.
Experience:
Tim joined LearningWorks in May of 2012 and is the director of the Service Works program. A jack-of-all trades, Tim has worked as a farm hand, dj, photographer, delivery driver, cemetery attendant, dishwasher, landscaper, organic fertilizer manufacturer, waiter, flooring guy, promoter, saxophonist, grocery clerk, kayak guide, chicken slayer, apple picker, property manager, and construction laborer. In addition to his work adventures, Tim has completed epic cross-country road trips and spent time working in Ireland and Alaska. He has an innate curiosity for the world at large and directly around him, and loves hands-on, experiential learning. Tim holds a degree in Digital Media from The New England Institute of Art. He also studied at Southern Maine Community College and The University of Maine. When not engaged with wicked rad projects at LearningWorks, Tim can be found doing tinkering, gardening, cooking, or relaxing at the beach with his wife and daughters.
Favorite Ice Cream:
Anything with Chocolate
Favorite Song:
“Once in a Lifetime” by The Talking Heads
Experience:
Jasmine (she/her/hers) joined the LWYB team as case manager in September of 2019. Previously, she spent three years as an elementary school counselor, and before that, ten years as a homeless youth case worker at Preble Street Teen Center (four of those years with Day One). She received her bachelor's degree in childhood development and family relations at the University of Maine in Orono, and then a Master's in school counseling at the University of Southern Maine.
She loves music and could not live without it. She will listen to pretty much anything, but is currently really into the Lumineers.
Favorite Ice Cream:
Coffee Heath Bar
Favorite Song:
Depends on my mood, but generally anything I can sing to
Experience:
Rachel (she/her/hers) joined LearningWorks in the fall of 2022 as Development Director. She leads LearningWorks’ fundraising efforts including outreach to donors, foundations, and businesses. She brings more than a decade of experience as a frontline fundraiser working with nonprofits of all sizes. Prior to joining LearningWorks, she served as a Major Gift Officer at the University of New England. With a passion for personal connections, she believes the key to successful fundraising is building meaningful relationships with donors and matching their interests with relevant causes.
Prior to moving to Maine in 2013, Rachel lived and worked throughout Latin America including in Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Bolivia. She holds a Bachelor’s in Communications and a Master’s in International Community Development. When she isn’t raising money or volunteering with local nonprofits, you can find her visiting the library, practicing yoga, or exploring local trails. She resides in Portland with her family.
Favorite Ice Cream:
Anything from Sticky Sweet or Pineapple Dole Whip from Lib’s Dairy
Experience:
Gregory “Gus” Lyons joined LearningWorks at the end of March 2023 as Senior Accountant. Gus previously worked for Volunteers of America Northern New England, supporting senior housing, homeless veteran, community justice, and behavioral health programs. Gus enjoys a good spreadsheet and does bank reconciliations for fun. He also believes that a good sense of humor is vital for success. Gus comes from a family of education professionals, so the mission of LearningWorks is in his blood. Gus grew up on the coast of Maine and now lives in Portland with his partner, Ashley, and their two dogs, Flynn and Fay.
Favorite Ice Cream:
Nero d’Avola from Gelateria del Teatro in Rome, Italy
Favorite Song:
Gus previously worked as Bookkeeper for the Bull Moose stores and as such knows it is pointless to limit oneself to a single favorite song.
Experience:
Lauren Chisholm (she/her/hers) is the Afterschool Associate Site Director for the Portland program. She joined the LearningWorks team in April 2023. In her role at LW, Lauren collaborates with the Site Director to provide oversight and manage day-to-day functions of the LWAS program in Portland schools. Lauren came to Maine from New York, and she has lived in the Portland, Maine area for most of her life! Lauren has spent more than 10 years in education, working as a substitute teacher, a camp counselor, an Ed. Tech 3, and a high school and middle school teacher. Most recently, Lauren spent several years as an English teacher at Wiscasset Middle High School in Wiscasset, ME. Lauren has earned both her undergraduate and her Masters of Science in Education from the University of Southern Maine. She is currently working on a Certificate of Advanced Studies from USM with a focus on Curriculum and Educational Policy. Lauren has known she wanted to work in education since she read the book Matilda by Roald Dahl in school. It showed her what impact a caring and thoughtful teacher can have on a student’s life. Lauren lives in Portland with her husband Chris. When she’s not working, you can find Lauren either enjoying live music in downtown Portland, hiking or canoeing out on the water, or in her kitchen trying to create the perfect chocolate cake recipe.
Favorite Ice Cream:
A chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich from Lib’s Dairy Treats.
Experience:
Kayla (she/her) joined Service Works in October of 2021, taking on the role of Sanford Youth Coordinator. Kayla has a strong passion for helping others and comes from a background in medical esthetics and children’s mental and behavioral healthcare. Aside from her degree and work with children, Kayla has taken on a piercing apprenticeship and made donuts in the past. Outside of work, you can always find Kayla with her family (and their zoo of animals) expanding their antiques and crystal collections.
Experience:
Rebecca Cote became the LearningWorks Afterschool Site Director in Biddeford after serving as site coordinator at Biddeford Primary School from 2018-2020 and then again in 2021. Rebecca moved back to Maine after a 25 year trip to California where she operated a whitewater rafting and backcountry guide business. On her way home from California, she stopped off in Cambridge MA at Lesley University to obtain a Masters of Education in Community Art Education. When not volunteering in the Biddeford community, she is working in her art studio creating landscape paintings and making little art books.
Experience:
Roland Thibault joined the LW team in July 2020 as the Academics Teacher for the LearningWorks YouthBuild Program. Prior to joining LW, he worked as a Math Teacher for MSAD 6, working specifically with students from Day One, a substance abuse rehab program. Roland is also a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) and prior to working for MSAD 6, he worked for several years at local rehabilitation programs in Southern Maine (Day One, Milestone, and Catholic Charities). He attended school at USM and graduated with a degree in Secondary Math Education, with a minor in Computer Science. He has also completed several Masters Level courses in Special Education and is planning to return to school to finish his Masters Degree in this area. Teaching seems to be a part of his blood. When he was growing up, he spent a lot of time “playing” teacher with his younger brother. He would actually give him math and science homework to do and teach him how to do them. Years later, he is teaching Math and Science, and he is also teaching math at SMCC. He lives in Westbrook with his wife Carolyn and their daughter Daniella. They have a cat named Abednego who does his best to make sure they do not miss their morning alarm. When he is not at work, you will find Roland reading, watching webinars and taking online courses, running, or working on his favorite craft of sewing stuffed animals.
Favorite Ice Cream:
Coffee with copious amounts of butterscotch syrup
Favorite Song:
Jackson Browne, “Your Bright Baby Blues”
Experience:
Katie Bash (she/her/hers) joined the LearningWorks YouthBuild team as the Culinary & Hospitality Teacher during the summer of 2021. She brings to LearningWorks a background in Social Work, and years of experience working in commercial kitchens, and food and customer service. Katie grew up in the Philadelphia area, where she returned to complete her Master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Pennsylvania. Katie's love for Maine was planted during her time as an undergraduate student at Bates College and continued to grow while living and working in Portland over the past decade. She has worked for several years in a variety of settings including : a partial hospitalization program, school-based counseling, mental health, and more recently as a family-systems therapist. Before this, Katie worked in restaurants in many roles, and as a Chef Apprentice to the owner of a Spanish restaurant in Boston. Katie is excited to bring together years of diverse experience in her role at YouthBuild. Katie is especially interested in empowering and collaborating with young people to develop and pursue their goals. Katie is passionate about social justice, mental health, the outdoors, running, cooking, baking and local food-systems.
Experience:
Youth Build Construction Teacher Jacob Collins-Wilson (he/him/his) joined the LearningWorks team in January 2023. In his role at LW, Jacob helps members gain construction skills from planning, assessing, designing and building all aspects of a house in addition to more technical carpentry skills. Jacob has taught in a variety of settings from public middle and high school to a youth detention center and a university. He spent the first 25 years of his life in Oregon and has spent the rest moving all around the country, including two years in Alaska. He has a master’s in teaching and a master’s in creative writing. Outside of work, Jacob loves to read, write and build things. He built a tiny house on wheels by himself and lots of furniture. He also likes hiking and listening to music. When he was younger, he played drums in a metalcore band, touring and releasing records. His favorite memory was playing a show with The Chariot.
Experience:
Alex Tranchemontagne became the LearningWorks Afterschool Site Director in Saco after serving as a Learning Works Teacher in Waterboro for over six years. During those years, he also worked in public education in various roles from Librarian to Classroom Teacher. Alex graduated from the University of Southern Maine with a degree in Communications and a minor in Educational Studies. Alex is a lifelong learner and hopes to help students find their passion for learning as well. In his free time, Alex loves to travel with his family, whether it is driving to Canada or taking a plane to Japan. He also loves animals - especially his corgi, Pascal.
