JFY Staff
Gary Kaplan
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Gary Kaplan has been executive director of JFYNetWorks since 1985. During his tenure, JFYNetWorks has addressed the issues of literacy and job skills among youth and adults with a series of innovative programs in competency-based GED curricula, entrepreneurship training, the alternative high school diploma, industry-based skill training in biotechnology, health care, financial services, environmental technology and green jobs, and the JFYNet blended learning program which creates and supports online academic instruction programs in schools throughout Massachusetts.
Mr. Kaplan’s career in education and training began with the Upward Bound program, where he counseled and taught urban youth. He served on Governor Patrick’s Workforce Development transition team and on the Workforce Accountability Task Force. He served on the National Commission on Energy Policy’s Task Force on America’s Future Energy Jobs. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University and master’s degree from the University of Chicago.
Paula Paris
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
Paula Paris has been with JFY since 1995 as Director of Development and Deputy Director. She has contributed to the growth and diversification of the funding portfolio and the management of organizational change. She has been adjunct faculty at Southern New Hampshire University where she also earned a Certificate in Online Instruction. Ms. Paris has prior experience in commercial banking, fundraising in education and the arts, and public policy research in workforce development. She earned degrees from the University of Hartford’s Hartt School of Music and from Brandeis University’s Heller School of Management and Social Policy, where she is now a member of the Board of Advisors.
Patricia Parisella
FISCAL DIRECTOR
Patricia Parisella is responsible for all financial management, forecasting and reporting, as well as for personnel and benefits administration. She has been with JFY since 1994, and the organization has enjoyed an unblemished record of unqualified audit opinions under her expert guidance. Ms. Parisella holds a bachelor’s degree from Emerson College and a Master’s in Public Administration from Suffolk University.
Joan Reissman
BLENDED LEARNING SPECIALIST
Joan Reissman joined JFY in 2000. Ms. Reissman is a skilled math teacher with 20+ years’ experience in adult basic education and computer-based learning. She is a JFYNet blended learning specialist and curriculum developer. She has contributed to the development of the science, math, and English curriculum content. Ms. Reissman earned a bachelor’s degree with distinction from the University of Wisconsin and a master’s degree from the University of Texas.
Cathie Maglio
BLENDED LEARNING SPECIALIST
Cathie Maglio comes to JFY with a unique blend of math teaching, instructional design, competency-based curriculum development, math textbook editing, and software content development. Ms. Maglio has been a math instructor at North Shore Community College for over 20 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Secondary Education from Salem State University and a Master of Education from Lesley University with a concentration in Technology in Education.
Greg Cunningham
BLENDED LEARNING SPECIALIST
Greg Cunningham joined JFY after teaching in the classroom and as an online educator at both the high school and college levels. He serves as an adjunct faculty member at Quincy College, Bridgewater State University, and Johnson and Wales University. He holds a B.A. in English from Stonehill College, an M.A. in Communication Studies from Suffolk University and Professional Certification in Online Education from Endicott College.
Eileen Wedegartner
BLENDED LEARNING SPECIALIST
Eileen Wedegartner brings 24 years of experience as a certified 9-12 English educator in schools and as an academic support liaison at DESE, as well as expertise in K-12 academic standards alignment and analysis of student performance data. At DESE, Eileen worked on grant programs designed to assist struggling populations with achieving the Competency Determination. She also served as DESE liaison to the Parent and Community Education and Involvement Council, and as an advisor to the Central Massachusetts Student Advisory Council. She was a member of the DESE team that revised the 2011 curriculum frameworks, establishing best practices alignment from high school to college standards. Ms. Wedegartner holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Educational Leadership from SNHU.
