nce adult programs - Needham Public Schools

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DIANA PARKHURST has a BS in Physical Education
and a MS in Teaching and Administration, both from
Springfield College. She has been a member of the
Needham High School Physical Education & Wellness
department since 2005, and before that taught physical
education at Newman Elementary School. She
received the 2009 Massachusetts Secondary Teacher
of the Year for Physical Education. Diana is also the
head coach for the NHS Boys Rugby Club, head coach
for the Northeastern Women’s Rugby Club, and serves
as coach, player, and captain of the Boston Women’s
Rugby Club.
WALTER PLANTE is a chocolate importer,
educator, world traveler and chief tasting officer at
NewLeaf Chocolates. Visit their website at www.
newleafchocolates.com
PEARL PRESSMAN, a Needham resident, is a
nationally certified exercise instructor by AFAA
(Aerobics and Fitness Association of America). Since
1996, she has taught exercise and muscle conditioning
classes in a variety of settings, including colleges,
health clubs, and corporations. She is currently on
staff at Newton Wellesley Hospital’s Wellness Center.
JAYNE RAPHAEL, a former editor, producer and
researcher at WCVB-TV, now uses her skills to
demystify the college admissions process and ease
the anxiety for students in their junior and senior years
of high school. She supplies families with crucial
information, support and advice, as well as direction
and balance when it is needed most.
MARY JO RICKETSON is a certified personal trainer
and yoga instructor. She holds a BS in nursing and a
MS in education from Northwestern University. She
founded the Center for MindBody Training, drawing on
her 28 years of experience in health and education,
and has been teaching yoga and MindBody training
since 1999.
SARAH ROBERTS has a Masters degree in Physical
Therapy and has worked as a physical therapist, most
INSTRUCTOR BIOS
recently as director of a rehab facility in Brockton. She
has taught Pilates in various settings, including a Yoga
studio, a clubhouse in Quincy, a staff development
course for Needham teachers, and for Needham Adult
Ed.
LYN SCHWARTZ, MS, RD, is a Registered Dietitian
who received a degree in nutritional sciences from
Cornell University. She is a part-time lecturer at the
University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth and has
a private practice in nutrition counseling. She is a
member of Eat Well, Be Fit, a group of Needham
professionals dedicated to improving the health and
well-being of Needham residents, and a regular
nutrition guest on New England Cable News live
morning show.
STEFFI SHAPIRO has both a MSW and is a R.Y.T.
(Registered Yoga Teacher), and is the founder and
director of The Well Street Station in Watertown. She
has combined her background in social work and yoga
to work in various settings for over 30 years. She
currently teaches at several senior centers and senior
facilities in the area. She is a member of both the
Mass Yoga Network and national Yoga Alliance, and
often presents workshops at national conferences.
JOHN SHEA has a BS in Mathematics from the
University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, an
MBA with a concentration in Management from
Bentley College and a MEd from the University of
Massachusetts at Boston. John has been a math
teacher for over 12 years, and is currently teaching
math and serving as the Math Department chair at
Needham High School. John has taught SAT Prep
classes for Needham Community Education since the
fall of 2008.
ANNA SIMON was born and raised in and around
Stockholm, Sweden but has spent most of her adult
life in the Boston area. She has a bachelor’s degree in
religion from Wellesley College, and a MFA in Creative
Writing from Lesley University, and has several years
NEEDHAM COMMUNITY EDUCATION • ADULT PROGRAMS • WINTER/SPRING 2012