Administration
Ellen Weiss – Director
Hello! My name is Ellen Weiss, and I am thrilled to be beginning my 32nd year with the BASCP family!
Over the years, I have had the incredible opportunity to grow alongside the children in our program, watching them learn, develop, and find joy in their time at BASCP. It has been such a privilege to be part of so many families’ lives, and I’m grateful for the relationships and memories I’ve built along the way.
Outside of BASCP, I enjoy reading, crocheting, visiting farmers’ markets, and spending time with my family. This summer brought a couple of exciting milestones in my family—my older niece, Michaela, headed off to college, while my younger niece, Mackenzie, started 8th grade. It’s a reminder of how quickly children grow, something I have certainly experienced throughout my many years at BASCP!
What I love most about BASCP is creating a warm and welcoming environment where every child feels safe, supported, and like a valued member of our BASCP family. I’m looking forward to another year of building relationships, creating memories, and watching our children grow.
I can’t wait to see all that this year brings and to share it with all of you!
William Chamberland – Assistant Director
Hello! My name is William Chamberland, and I am thrilled to return for my 19th year at Bowen After School. This year, I look forward to leading our Comets (Grades 2 & 3) and Ozone (Grades 4 & 5) teaching teams.
I remain deeply committed to BASCP’s mission and dedicated to serving our community. My core passion is fostering our students’ social-emotional growth and development. My goal every year is to design innovative, curiosity-driven educational adventures supported by high-quality learning resources.
Please feel free to reach out anytime with questions or insights regarding your child’s experience at BASCP.
Alan Pedersen – Program Coordinator
My name is Alan Pedersen, and I’m happy to be starting my 16th year at BASCP. In addition to my administrative duties, I will spend much of my time working with first graders and kindergarteners. This year, I have finally embraced being middle-aged as I have cut back on my days running and have started playing pickleball.
Colette Ming – Administrative Assistant
Hello, my name is Colette Ming.
I am truly grateful to have been part of the BASCP Family for the past 1-1/2 years. Having attended Bowen Elementary School many moons ago, it’s a joy to now be on the other side — watching and engaging with the young, kindhearted children who fill our days with laughter and light. Their smiles and innocence are the highlight of my world. I look forward to helping guide and nurture them as they grow into confident, compassionate young adults.
Stars (Kindergarten & 1st Grade Team)
Emma
Hello Newton Community,
I’m excited to begin my fifth school year with Bowen and my fourth year as the Kindergarten Specialist, overseeing the development of teaching techniques in OST settings. Over the years, I’ve worked to steadily and successfully integrate Social Emotional Learning and Responsive Classroom practices into both our daily curriculum and our staff culture. It’s been incredibly rewarding to be part of a team so deeply committed to the growth and development of children, and to our own growth as educators.
Outside of work, I write music, stay active through strength training and Pilates, and read plenty of poetry, politics, and romance books. My favorite author right now is Ijeoma Olau. I’m a strong advocate for equal education, and I hope to continue my career journey by expanding from education into the field of law.
Greg
Hi everyone, I’m Greg! This will be my 6th year working at BASCP and I am in the K1 Stars program. Outside of teaching, I like to play the Pokemon Trading Card Game and watch baseball. I’m excited for the school year ahead!
Imge
Hi I am Imge! This is my eighth year working at BASCP. I live in Needham with my family. My hobbies are singing, macrame, yoga and taking long walks on weekends. I can’t wait to teach Arts, Crafts and play games with kindergartners and first graders .
I hope this will be another fun and wonderful school year at BASCP !
Gabe
Hi everyone! My name is Gabe Rogovin, and this is my first year working as an afterschool educator. I’ll be working with the kindergarteners, which has been a lot of fun! What excites me most about this job is having the opportunity to make a positive difference in a child’s life and help create an environment where kids can have fun, grow, and be themselves.
Outside of work, I love movies, comics, and all things pop culture, especially superheroes. I’m also very passionate about writing and storytelling, and I love seeing creativity encouraged in others. I hope to bring that same creativity and enthusiasm to BASCP and help make afterschool something the kids can look forward to each day!
Comets & Satellites (2nd & 3rd Grade Team)
Lou
This year, October marks my 50th year in child care, with 44 of those years dedicated to Afterschool Programs! Throughout my career, I have worked with children ranging from 18 months to high school and feel comfortable with all ages, though elementary-aged children hold a special place in my heart. I have held virtually every role in a child care setting: Assistant Teacher, Preschool Teacher, Afterschool Teacher, Head Teacher, Coordinator, Mentor Teacher, Assistant Director, Director (for 32 years)
Through it all, my favorite part of the job has always been engaging in daily activities with the children. Some of my favorites include: Planting vegetable gardens and spring bulbs; Running a K–2nd grade learning basketball league and a 2nd–5th grade competitive league (March–April and November–February); Leading non-competitive group games; Hosting a BASCP Kids Marathon, where participants walk or run 26.2 miles over a two-month period; Teaching the recorder and harmonica; Facilitating science experiments (including rocket launches); and woodworking projects
On a personal note, I have three adult children—all of whom attended my preschool and afterschool program—and three grandchildren (a 6th grader, a 3rd grader, and a toddler). A highlight from this past summer was throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at a Red Sox game when they won their 15th straight game! I threw a strike!
Maggie
Hello, my name is Maggie Paganelli. I started with BASCP in May 2025 working with the K-1 Stars. I am thrilled to return this year and look forward to being with the children. My previous experience with children includes two years as a crossing guard for Bowen, and as a couple of families with children from infancy to high school freshman. I have two grown daughters and five grandchildren ranging in age from 7 to 13. Being around children and helping them to develop self-confidence and be their best selves is why I am at BASCP. When I am not at BASCP, I enjoy writing, helping with home projects, baking, playing the piano, needlepoint, and being around animals. My relaxation spot is anywhere near a lake or the ocean.
Seb
Hi, my name is Seb! This is my second year at BASCP and my first year working with the 2-3 Comets. Last year I worked with the K-1 Stars and it was a learning experience I enjoyed immensely. I can’t wait to apply my new knowledge and skills this year with the Comets. I’m passionate about creating a safe and supportive space that emphasizes inclusivity, community, and confidence for all children. My favorite activities to do with students are crocheting, playing tabletop games, and playing sports such as soccer or volleyball.
In my free time, I like to read, crochet, play games of all kinds, and listen to music. I am originally from New Jersey and I visit frequently to spend time with family and friends, including my cats Moona and Sora. My favorite thing to do in the summer is visit the Jersey Shore to watch the sunrise.
I’m looking forward to another fantastic year!
Allison
Hi, I’m Allison! I’m excited to be returning to BASCP for my second year with the 2–3 Comets. I’m especially looking forward to another year of STEAM activities and finding ways to combine art, science, engineering, movement, and social-emotional learning whenever possible. I enjoy creating a collaborative classroom culture where students can learn from each other, celebrate mistakes, and balance their individual needs with being part of a community.
Outside of BASCP, I’m interested in environmental neuroscience and how our surroundings shape us. In my free time I enjoy taking nature walks, identifying insects, and foraging plants to use in natural perfumery and skincare. I also enjoy creating digital tools and visual aids to help people with organization, self-reflection, and life skills, and I’m looking forward to bringing some of these tools into the classroom this year!
Ozone (4th & 5th Grade Team)
Myles
My name is Myles. I am the program’s Enrichment Specialist, and this is my fourth year working at BASCP! I’m super passionate about music, chemistry, and games of all sorts, and I love applying that passion to creating unique experiences for students. It my mission as Enrichment Specialist to organize and execute events that create opportunities for students form community. I hope that this year I can take our enrichment to the next level! Can’t wait to see you on the floor!
Julia
My name is Julia and this is my first year as an afterschool educator where I’ll be working with the fourth and fifth graders in the Ozone. I have almost twenty years experience of babysitting not just humans, but creatures of all shapes and sizes ranging from dogs and cats to geckos, and I’ve worked at many different jobs including three years as a library assistant focusing primarily on children’s services. My favorite thing about working with children is that there’s never a boring day, and there’s no reward I enjoy more than getting to watch them develop their independence, curiosity, and empathy. When not teaching at BASCP I’m a mom to two gerbils, an aunt to one human, and have just started my own illustration and crafts company, KozeMaus Studios.
Coleman
Hi everyone! My name is Coleman and I work with the 4-5 Ozone. This is my third year working at BASCP, and I also happen to be a former BASCP student and Bowen Elementary School Graduate. My focus as a teacher is to spread joy and seek out what brings joy to each of our students, as well as, to teach, instill and model positive values to take forward while at Bowen and beyond.
