Our Staff

Blake Riley first became involved with The Learning Center when the board hired her as the new director and lead a reopening after the center was closed during Covid. A former Eliot School teacher, Blake was excited to bring her talent and passion for learning to this space. Blake and her oldest son, Warren, spent countless hours together cleaning and organizing the center as they prepared to re-open in the fall of 2022. Blake served as the director and face of the center in the first year of its reopening. 

After having her second son, Whit, in the spring of 2023, Blake and her husband Dan decided it was time to relocate closer to family and moved to Darien, CT. Blake now works remotely and still serves as the director of the Learning Center. She is the magic behind our instagram account and coordinates programs/special events, answers emails, brings in grants and so much more!! We miss having Blake and her family around town, but are very grateful that she has stayed on the team! 

Interested in working or volunteering at our learning center? Reach out to Blake!

  • Site Leader - Mairen Marshall

Mairen first met Blake when she signed her oldest son up for Book Club, in the spring of 2023. Almost due with baby number 2, Blake was looking for some support as she prepared to start her maternity leave. The two former teachers hit it off right away and love working together to bring fun and meaningful after school enrichment and educational programs to the Charlestown Community. 

Mairen has lived in Charlestown in 2009. She and her husband, Sean, have 3 children and love living here! Mairen taught elementary school in Billerica, MA for 16 years before taking a break to stay home and support her children through Covid learning. She now volunteers a lot of her time at her children's schools and loves being part of the Learning Center Team!

 

 

OUR HOMEWORK TUTORS 

 

Sarah Svatek - MISS SARAH (Homework Help - Monday, 4:30-6:00PM)

 

Miss Sarah is in her second year as a homework help tutor. Sarah bring 18+ years of education experience to our center and she currently works at a certified teacher in Chelsea, MA. You may recognize Ms. Sarah from our first ever virtual summer book club the year which was a huge success. Sarah is patient and kind, our students love her and so do we!! You can find her at the center on Monday afternoons for homework help/tutoring. 

 

Hannah Kelly - MISS HANNAH (Homework Help - Wednesday, 4:300-6:00PM)

 

 

A Massachusetts native, Hannah Kelly is a certified working teacher in the Lexington Public School. She currently teachers grade 5, but has experience with several different age groups and abilities. Hannah has lived-in Boston for many years and moved to our neighborhood in 2021. You can find Hannah at the center on Wednesdays for homework help or Thursday afternoons with our book club scholars. When she is not working, Miss Hannah loves read, run, spend time in Maine with her family and on occasion travel to visit her brother in Colorado and hit the slopes. You are likely to find her walking the Navy Yard Loop if the sun is out! 

 

Howie Tuttman - MR. HOWIE - (Early Opening Homework Help, Monday, 3:30-4:30)

 

 

Mr. Howie is a retired teacher and volunteers his time at The Learning Center on Mondays from 3:30-4:30. Howie worked as a Math Instructional Coach in the Everett Public Schools before retiring. Teaching was Mr. Howie's second career as he worked in the business world before transitioning to education. Mr. Howie loves working with our scholars especially with math. We are thrilled to have Mr. Howie on the team again this year, stop by and see him soon! 

 

 

Pat Lombard - Ms. Pat - (Early Opening Homework Help, Wednesdays 3:30-4:30PM)

 

Ms. Pat comes to us with over 30 years of teaching experience in all subject areas and across several grade levels. A resident of Charlestown, Pat is a retired public school teacher and is always giving back to the community. You are not likely to see her around town as her grandchildren on the south shore keep her very busy. Pat is also known to take amazing trips around the world with her husband Mike and spends much of her free time on the Cape. We are SO LUCKY to have Ms. Pat with us on Wednesdays!! 

 

 OUR PROGRAMS

 

The learning center contracts programs to run courses in our space. These are some of our most consistent partners. 

RENTALS AVAILABLE! 

You can rent our space to run a class, community meeting, course, etc. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT RENTALS

Our BOARD

The Learning Center Board is made up of hard-working individuals working together for a common goal. Those listed below volunteered to provide leadership this year. 

 

Interested in open board positions? Contact us!