Meet Our Staff

Amanda Brennen is the Lead Special Education Teacher at the Campus School at Boston College, where she has been teaching since July 2018. She creates accessible, engaging lessons for transition-aged students and plays an important role in supporting the IEP process and promoting collaboration across the school team.

Amanda holds two Master’s degrees from Boston College, one in Curriculum and Instruction and one in Educational Leadership. Her areas of expertise include supporting students with Extensive Support Needs, Deafblindness, and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

She received the Bernard A. Stotsky Thomas H. Browne Prize from Boston College in recognition of her excellence in the field of Special Education.

In addition to her work at the Campus School, Amanda serves as an adjunct professor in the Lynch School of Education and Human Development, where she recently taught Assessment for Students with Extensive Support Needs at the graduate level.

Hannah joined Campus School at Boston College in 2024 and is a classroom teacher. Prior to working at Campus School, Hannah taught second grade inclusion at Foxborough Regional Charter. She has been involved in Camp Arrowhead, a summer program for children and adults with various support needs, since 2015. At Camp Arrowhead, Hannah worked as a one to one aide and eventually became a program supervisor. She is also involved with Natick Recreation’s adaptive programming and PCAs for various members of the community. Hannah’s favorite part of teaching is building relationships with students and supporting them as they reach their goals. Outside of school, Hannah enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with her family, friends, and dogs. 

Nick Alvarez joined the Campus School at Boston College as a Special Education teacher in September 2025. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Massachusetts Boston and is currently completing his master’s degree in Special Education at Boston College. Before coming to the Campus School, Nick taught in a variety of special education programs for both elementary and secondary students in Brockton Public Schools. He is dedicated to creating a supportive, engaging, and meaningful learning experience for his students. Outside the classroom, Nick enjoys running, cheering on all Boston sports teams, and reading.

Michele has an extensive and versatile background in the field of education.  Her teaching background includes special education teacher in a private school for students with Autism, a residential children's counselor, and a public school special education teacher. Fun fact, Michele began teaching as an ELL classroom tutor! Michele received her undergraduate degree from Boston College, and holds a dual masters degree in special education - severe and applied behavior analysis from Endicott College.  The quickest way into Michele's heart is with a good pun. Living in the Merrimack valley, Michele enjoys hiking and other outdoor adventures with her husband and son. She is learning to play guitar, speaks multiple languages, none well, and is working towards earning a black belt in kempo karate.  

Matthew Contaldi is a physical therapist at the Campus School at Boston College, where he started in August 2022. Matt graduated from Northeastern University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Before that, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Psychology and Human Development at Boston College. Matt has experience working with pediatric populations at the Cambridge Public School district and the Kennedy Day School within the Franciscan Children’s Hospital. He is fully committed to helping his students reach their peak physical potentials. Outside of work, Matt enjoys all things basketball, running, and indoor planting.

Carina is a Physical Therapist at the Campus School at Boston College. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Franklin Pierce University, with minors in Psychology and Environmental Studies and a certificate in Women in Leadership, before completing her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at the MGH Institute of Health Professions.

She previously worked in acute care at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, as a physical therapy aide at South County Physical Therapy, and as a Residential Counselor at Open Sky Community Services. She also coordinated volunteer programs for Head Start, tutoring, and after-school initiatives through the Community Service Office at Franklin Pierce University.

Carina is passionate about working with the pediatric population and believes in child-led learning and play to help students find joy and independence through movement. Outside of the Campus School, she enjoys hiking, reading, doing puzzles, and spending time with loved ones.

Jessica van Hoff has worked as an Occupational Therapist at the Campus School since August 2013. She received her MS in occupational therapy from Boston University in 2012, and earned her BS from Penn State University in 2007. After  completing one of her full-time fieldwork experiences at the Campus School in 2011 and briefly working in outpatient neurorehab, Jess eagerly returned to the Campus School. She also works part-time with Deaf-Blind adults and is proficient in ASL. In her free time, Jess enjoys hiking, crafting, and spending time with her family and dog.  

Megan Macdonald is an Occupational Therapist at the Campus School at Boston College where she started in August 2023. Megan graduated with her MSOT from Salem State University in May 2018 and has since worked in Early Intervention, sensory outpatient, and most recently in intensive outpatient therapy. Prior to becoming an OT, Megan worked at Boston Children's Hospital for several years. She is passionate about play, relationship building, child-led learning and all things OT. When she's not at work, Megan loves spending time reading and enjoying her family, including her two dogs.

Tamar (Tammy) Jernigan is one of three Registered Nurses at the Campus School at Boston College. She is responsible for managing the medical needs of the students while they are at school. With almost 30 years of nursing experience, some of her prior positions include 10+ years of pediatric home healthcare, seven years of early intervention, and several years in community health. Tammy has a BSN from Endicott College, is bilingual/bicultural, and fluent in Spanish.

Sarah Murphy is one of three registered nurses at the Campus School at Boston College. She is responsible for providing nursing care to students throughout the school day. Prior to working at the Campus School, Sarah was a registered nurse on a bone marrow transplant unit at Tufts Medical Center. She graduated with a BSN from Boston College's Connell School of Nursing in 2020 and is very happy to be back at the Campus School, where she volunteered as an undergrad. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys hiking and crocheting.

Abby Litos is one of three Registered Nurses at the Campus School at Boston College. Prior to working at the Campus School, Abby was a registered nurse at Beth Israel on a transplant unit and also has experience as an outpatient OBGYN nurse at a local community health center. She graduated from Boston College's Connell School of Nursing in 2021. As an undergraduate, Abby volunteered at the Campus School and participated in the Creative Kids group. She is grateful to be back at the Campus School where it feels like home. Outside of work, Abby enjoy reading, traveling, and going to the movies. 

Shannon Connelly is the Life Skills Coordinator at Campus School at Boston College, teaching students ages 3-22 about necessary life skills such as relationships, advocacy, and vocational skills. Shannon earned a Special Education degree at Saint Joseph's College of Maine in 2021, a Masters of Education in Extensive Support Needs with Certifications in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Deafblindness in 2024 from Boston College, and will complete a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy from Boston College in 2026. Shannon works with students in both whole group and one to one settings. 

Meghan McGowan joined Campus School at Boston College as an Assistive Technology Professional in the fall of 2023. She is a certified ATP and a member of RESNA. Meghan enjoys working with students to incorporate their interests into their education and finding creative solutions for areas of growth. She received a B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Rhode Island and is also a licensed Speech Language Pathology Assistant in the state of Massachusetts. Meghan previously worked at Cardinal Cushing Centers and most recently at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Geoff Barnes is a music therapist (MT-BC) and Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) who has been working with, and learning from, children and adults with intellectual disabilities, autism, Alzheimer’s disease, and visual impairments for twenty years.  He currently offers music therapy at the Campus School at Boston College and is also an Assistant Professor at Lesley University in the Division of Psychology and Applied Therapies.

Paula Honzik joined the Campus School in 2017 as the teacher of students with visual impairments and certified instructor of orientation and mobility.  She previously worked in the same position with the Boston Public Schools for 35 years.  Paula holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master degree in education from Boston College. She holds an additional Master Degree in educational administration from the University of Massachusetts Boston. Paula is excited to be back at her alma mater and working with the Boston College community. 

Marc Maggiore is a licensed Teacher for Students with Visual Impairments and a certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist. Marc holds a Master's degree in Education in Vision Studies and a Graduate Certificate in Orientation & Mobility from the University of Massachusetts Boston, as well as a Bachelor's degree from Colgate University. As an adult with a visual impairment, Marc is passionate about supporting students in developing independence and confidence, and he strives to help each learner thrive and reach their full potential. When he isn’t teaching, Marc enjoys rollerblading through Boston, trying new recipes, and spending time with his wife and their pet rabbit, Moose.

Rachael Rainville is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst at Campus School at Boston College. Rachael graduated from Westfield State University with a degree in Special Education and then earned her Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Endicott College. Rachael works collaboratively with Campus School’s interdisciplinary team to embed appropriate ABA principles into students' days. Rachael has been working in the field of ABA for eight years and has prior experience working with students with extensive support needs, including medical complexities. Rachael is passionate about team collaboration and prioritizing student self-advocacy to ensure student success and respect.

Katie Sarno serves as the Director of Curriculum and Assessment at the Campus School at Boston College. She earned both her undergraduate and master’s degrees in Special Education from Bridgewater State University.

Before stepping into her current role, Katie taught for six years, developing a deep understanding of individualized instruction and student engagement. As Director, she collaborates closely with staff to strengthen connections that enhance student learning. Katie also coordinates the MCAS Alternative Assessment and develops supplemental curriculum resources aligned with the Massachusetts state frameworks.

She is dedicated to supporting students and staff by fostering meaningful, inclusive, and high-quality educational experiences.

coming soon

Amanda Nunan is a Dietitian at the Campus School at Boston College, where she collaborates with families and staff to support students’ growth and meet their complex nutritional needs. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Clinical Nutrition from the University of Tennessee, where she also completed her dietetic internship. Before joining the Campus School, Amanda worked as an inpatient pediatric dietitian, providing specialized nutrition care for neonates, children with genetic metabolic disorders, and patients in pediatric critical care and general pediatric settings. Outside of work, she enjoys running and spending time at the beach.