About NATRI

Weetamu School teacher / Kansas University Masters

Alexyys Galvin (Mashpee Wampanoag) has a Master's degree in Special Education, is a Massachusetts state certified Early Childhood teacher, and is a graduate of the Early Childhood Education program with North American Montessori Center. Currently she is working on her Lower Elementary Montessori training. Sânushq Lexy is a teacher in the Wushkeenune8ak Weekuw at the Weetumuw School, and works with children with different abilities in both classrooms. 

Weetamu School teacher/Cape Cod CC

Jenaya Perry (Mashpee Wampanoag) is the former Powwow Princess who is interested in pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education and/or Elementary Education. Jenaya has worked with children in multiple capacities, including at the Boys and Girls Club and as a paraprofessional in the Mashpee Public School System. Now attending UMass Global in pursuit of her degree, Jenaya hopes to enter classroom spaces as a licensed teacher in the near future. 

Weetamu School teacher/Cape Cod CC

Cassie Averett (San Carlos Apache) is a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe residing in Massachusetts with her adoptive Wampanoag family. She has served on the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Youth Council as a Member and Secretary and has spent the last ten years working with children of all ages. After many years of serving the youth from her community, Cassie is returning to her second year as Co-Lead Teacher within the Primary Classroom at the Weetumuw School in Mashpee. 

Weetamu School teacher/Bridgewater State

Tia Pocknett (Mi’kmaq) Sânushq Tia (Mônâee Neesuhshâushq) was raised in Mashpee and is a certified Montessori Early Childhood Education Teacher through the Institute for Guided Studies (IGS) program and has completed the Upper Elementary Teacher training with the North American Montessori Center program (NAMC). Tia works with training staff in both classrooms in language, culture, and Montessori pedagogy. Sânushq Tia is an advanced speaker of Wôpanâak and the parent of a Weetumuw School graduate. 

Weetamu School teacher/Cape Cod CC

Stefani Lopez (Mashpee Wampanoag) Sânushq Stefani is the lead teacher of the lower elementary classroom. Sânushq Stefani is an intermediate speaker of Wôpanâak, a certified Montessori primary teacher through the Institute for Guided Studies (IGS), and has completed the Lower Elementary Teacher program through the North American Montessori Center. She is also the parent of a former Weetumuw School student. 

Weetamu School teacher

Sharman Brown (Mashpee Wampanoag) Sânushq Sharman (8nôusuwee anâhs) co-leads the Primary classroom and assists in fundraising for the Weetumuw School. She is a nationally certified Child Development Associate, and is a graduate of the Montessori Early Childhood Education Program from the North American Montessori Center. 

Quashnet School teacher Mashpee - Indian Education Coordinator for district

Jannel Carey (Mashpee Wampanoag) was born and raised in Mashpee and currently teaches 4th Grade Special Education at the Quashnet Elementary School. She has been teaching for the past six years, beginning in San Francisco, California. After many years of living in different places, she felt a calling to come back home and work with Wampanoag students. She feels that although teaching can have its challenges, it is a very rewarding job, one that becomes even more rewarding when working amongst your own people. 

Brockton High School teacher/Kansas U certificate

Darion Bartibogue (Eskɨnuopitijk/Burnt Church Mi’kmaw) formerly taught in the Falmouth Public School System and now in the Brockton Public School System, Darion works with students on social emotional learning, behavioral health, and well-being. Ever a champion for students and their own progress, Darion goes out of his way to provide supporting activities for students. Most recently he has been leading an effort to give students an opportunity to practice boxing and experience the health benefits first hand. Darion loves the Cape and hopes to return to Cape schools in the future. 

Hanover Middle School teacher/DESE licensure program

Shawna Newcomb (Mashpee Wampanoag) has been a middle school teacher for the last five years after switching careers as an NBC Television News reporter. Shawna felt she would have more of a positive and direct impact on future generations while working with children and young adults in the classroom setting. She has taught all academic subjects in grades 5-8 as well as grade 7 Special Education. Shawna hopes to help shape the future within her community (and beyond) by teaching students valuable life skills and reaching their academic potential. 

Mashpee Jr/Sr. High School teacher/Cambridge College

Clayton Oakley-Robbins Jr. (Mashpee Wampanoag) has been a science teacher at Mashpee Middle-High School for the past 4 years, teaching 7th, 8th, Anatomy & Physiology, as well as Ecology. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Sustainability Studies from Hofstra University and has been continuing his education working towards a Master's in Science Education from Cambridge College. He has served as Indian Education Coordinator and Tutor, as well as helping with the JV and Varsity Lacrosse teams. Clayton's goal is to continue to serve the Mashpee community in and out of the classroom to help develop the young adults of the future. 

Saint Joseph School teacher/Fairhaven MA/Bristol CC

Bethany Helme (Mashpee Wampanoag) is a Paraprofessional who currently works at St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Fairhaven, MA, providing support to many students. She is currently in pursuit of her teaching degree in Early Childhood Education. Bethany hopes to serve all students to have the most rewarding educational experience possible. 

Madison Park Technical High School teacher, Boston / DESE licensure program

Melanie Shea (Mashpee Wampanoag) has been a High School History Teacher at Boston Public Schools for the last five years. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Global Relations at UMass Amherst and her Master’s in Education at Harvard Graduate School of Education. Melanie comes from a long line of passionate, lifelong educators including her aunts and grandmother, and she is proud to be a part of the first NATRI cohort. 

Harvard Graduate School of Education / Master’s of Education / Teaching and Teacher Leadership

Sophia Armano (Mashpee Wampanoag) is a rising senior at Tufts University co-majoring in Japanese Language and Culture and Education! She strives to be a member of her community who provides comfort and support to everyone, and become a teacher who is ready to teach as well as learn from her students. Sophia hopes to use her experiences in college to bring back to Mashpee or one of the other surrounding communities that serve Mashpee Wampanoag students. 

Destiny Andrews (Mashpee Wampanoag)

Barnstable High School/Bridgewater State undergraduate

Curry College undergraduate

Cape Cod Community College

Barnstable High School paraprofessional

Mashpee Jr/Sr High School paraprofessional

Westfield State teacher certification program

Wetumu School