Leadership Team
At Reach-Up Head Start, our leadership team is a dedicated and dynamic group of professionals committed to making a lasting impact on the lives of children and their families through high-quality early childhood education. Our visionary team of leaders combines a wealth of experience in early childhood education, social work, health and wellness, and community outreach. Each member of the Reach-Up team brings a passion for educational equity and a proven track record of implementing innovative programs that address the unique needs of our communities.
Our leadership team collaborates seamlessly to create a holistic approach to early childhood education, integrating academic, social, and emotional development. Through their collective expertise and unwavering dedication, they drive our mission to provide accessible, high-quality education to every child in our community.
What are your hobbies?
Baking, reading, golfing and especially spending time with Grandkids
What book had the most impact on your life?
Powerful Interactions; How to connect with Children to extend learning. Amy Laura Dombro, Judy Jablon and Charlotte Stetson.
Dare to Lead. Brene’ Brown
What is your favorite quote?
Assertive—telling someone what you need yet using kind words.
Don’t worry about failures, worry about the chances you miss when you don’t even try. –John Canfield
What is your go-to coffee shop order?
Black coffee with a ‘splash’ of french vanilla or pumpkin spice cappuccino
If you could have any super power, what would it be + why?
I’d be a duck and just let the ‘yucky’ stuff just roll off my back.
What are your hobbies?
I enjoy spending time with my family, going to their athletic games, and supporting them in any manner that I can. I also really enjoy doing outdoor activities: walking, biking, kayaking, camping, cross-country skiing, and connecting with nature. I love traveling and exploring new territories.
What book had the most impact on your life?
I cannot list one book as I love reading books and learning about history.
What is your favorite quote?
Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.
What is your go-to coffee shop order?
Cappuccino
If you could have any super power, what would it be + why?
I would like to have the super power of flying as I enjoy traveling!
What are your hobbies?
Gardening, hiking and being in nature.
What book had the most impact on your life?
Blue Zones of Happiness
What is your favorite quote?
Happiness is not having what you want, it’s wanting what you have.
What is your go-to coffee shop order?
Nothing, I like Folgers.
If you could have any super power, what would it be + why?
I’d be able to fill people’s hearts with gratitude because gratitude leads to happiness.
Martina
Juvera-Paul
Early Childhood Education & Professional Development Coordinator
What are your hobbies?
Photography, reading, traveling, attending sporting events & concerts.
What book had the most impact on your life?
No particular title, but any novel by Jodi Picoult. She is known for her fictional writing surrounding moral dilemmas. I love stories that lead to me to consider different perspectives.
What is your favorite quote?
“Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.”
What is your go-to coffee shop order?
Hoho Mint Mocha from Caribou (a seasonal favorite!) or White Chocolate Mocha from Starbucks
If you could have any super power, what would it be + why?
Thought manifestation because I could think about anything (ex: person, place, thing) and it would become real! I could use this superpower to make other powers happen like teleportation, invisibility, flight—the possibilities are endless!
What are your hobbies?
Camping, downhill skiing, kayaking, reading, spending time with family
What is your favorite quote?
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
What is your go-to coffee shop order?
Medium hot campfire mocha from Caribou – sometimes with an extra shot of espresso ☺
If you could have any super power, what would it be + why?
Mind reading – so you wouldn’t have to guess what people actually want or want to say OR Omnilingualism, the ability to perceive and communicate all languages – that way I could communicate with everyone!
What are your hobbies?
Camping, crafting, spending time w/family/friends, hiking & biking
What is your favorite quote?
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
—Oscar Wilde
What is your go-to coffee shop order?
I rarely go to coffee shops and when I do, I order something I haven’t tried before.
If you could have any super power, what would it be + why?
The ability to heal. I hate to see people hurting and would love to be able to do more to help them.
What are your hobbies?
Riding motorcycle, camping, boating, traveling
What is your favorite quote?
“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments”
What is your go-to coffee shop order?
Caramel Frappe
If you could have any super power, what would it be + why?
Super Speed – to get tasks done even faster and have more free time!
What are your hobbies?
Down Hill Skiing, Crafting, Gardening
What book has had the most impact on your life?
All I ever wanted to know I learned in Kindergarten.
What is your favorite quote?
“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”
– Soren Kierkegaard
What is your go-to coffee shop order?
Hot Chocolate with whip cream
If you could have any super power, what would it be + why?
To see what people really needed and be able to give them that support.
What are your hobbies?
I enjoy reading, golfing, baking, playing volleyball, and spending time with my husband and dog, Lucy!
What book had the most impact on your life?
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
What is your favorite quote?
“Dream big, work hard, stay humble” – Brad Meltzer
What is your go-to coffee shop order?
It’s a bit boring, but a light roast coffee with a splash of almond milk or a sparkling water.
If you could have any super power, what would it be + why?
Teleportation – how great would it be to travel the world without needing to hop on a flight?!
What are your hobbies?
Cookie decorating, reading books, furniture refurbishing, home remodeling, cleaning ☺
What book had the most impact on your life?
Marley and Me (first book I read for “fun” and discovered I loved reading and never stopped.)
What is your favorite quote?
“It is what it is…”
What is your go-to coffee shop order?
Iced non-fat chai with light ice.
If you could have any super power, what would it be + why?
Speed, I have no patience and want things done now!
What are your hobbies?
Movies, art, crafts, gardening and being outside, biking, pottery, Lego
What book had the most impact on your life?
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers and The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
What is your favorite quote?
"When we avoid hard conversations, we trade short-term discomfort for long-term dysfunction." –Peter Bromberg
What is your go-to coffee shop order?
Mocha
If you could have any super power, what would it be + why?
Invisibility to observe humanity without hindrance or fear of judgment.