Student Support Team (Full-Time)
Svetlana Goretaya, School Social Worker
Ms.Goretaya@TAPAprovidence.org
Svetlana is essentially a RI native; she was born in Russia and immigrated to the U.S. with her parents when she was one year old. Svetlana deeply cares about immigrant communities and their experiences acculturating to the United States. She has found that despite cultural differences, many immigrants and immigrant families have similar difficulties and strengths, including those around emotional health. Svetlana is passionate about working with youth to improve their mental health and wellness and believes creative expression is a vital component in being a healthy and happy human. Svetlana earned her Masters in Social Work from Rhode Island College, and a Bachelors in English from Providence College. In graduate school she worked at Dorcas International Institute, Blackstone Academy Charter School, and Providence Playcorps, a wonderful play based summer program. There, she realized she loves charter schools, working with youth, and the vital importance of play! She is thrilled to be working with the Artists and Scholars at TAPA. In her spare time Svetlana likes dancing, cooking, yoga, speaking Russian, singing, making art, and sending letters!
Ms.Goretaya@TAPAprovidence.org
Svetlana is essentially a RI native; she was born in Russia and immigrated to the U.S. with her parents when she was one year old. Svetlana deeply cares about immigrant communities and their experiences acculturating to the United States. She has found that despite cultural differences, many immigrants and immigrant families have similar difficulties and strengths, including those around emotional health. Svetlana is passionate about working with youth to improve their mental health and wellness and believes creative expression is a vital component in being a healthy and happy human. Svetlana earned her Masters in Social Work from Rhode Island College, and a Bachelors in English from Providence College. In graduate school she worked at Dorcas International Institute, Blackstone Academy Charter School, and Providence Playcorps, a wonderful play based summer program. There, she realized she loves charter schools, working with youth, and the vital importance of play! She is thrilled to be working with the Artists and Scholars at TAPA. In her spare time Svetlana likes dancing, cooking, yoga, speaking Russian, singing, making art, and sending letters!
Meghan Minuto, School Nurse
Ms.Minuto@TAPAprovidence.org
Meghan Minuto (she/her/hers) is proud to be TAPA’s dancing nurse. She is a performance artist/choreographer at heart, holding a B.A. in Dance and Performance from Roger Williams University. Meghan has performed alongside and trained with artists including Kelle Wicke Davis, Sean Curran, Michael Bolger, David Dorfman, and Jenny Rocha. She has had the privilege of performing in NY, and close to home at AS220. Following her passion for health and wellness, she then became a Registered Nurse. Meghan understands that the ensemble learns the best when they are healthy and brings her emergency nursing, and acute critical care experience to TAPA. Her job is to ensure the health and wellness of the ensemble in order to strengthen their academic and artistic success.
Ms.Minuto@TAPAprovidence.org
Meghan Minuto (she/her/hers) is proud to be TAPA’s dancing nurse. She is a performance artist/choreographer at heart, holding a B.A. in Dance and Performance from Roger Williams University. Meghan has performed alongside and trained with artists including Kelle Wicke Davis, Sean Curran, Michael Bolger, David Dorfman, and Jenny Rocha. She has had the privilege of performing in NY, and close to home at AS220. Following her passion for health and wellness, she then became a Registered Nurse. Meghan understands that the ensemble learns the best when they are healthy and brings her emergency nursing, and acute critical care experience to TAPA. Her job is to ensure the health and wellness of the ensemble in order to strengthen their academic and artistic success.
Sylvia Stipich, Director of Multilingual Learner Services.
Ms.Stipich@TAPprovidence.org
Sylvia Stipich (pronouns: she, her) is a lifelong Rhode Islander. Although she has set off to other destinations, she has always come back to the beaches and sights of little Rhody. She was born to immigrant parents who spoke only Croatian at home, so she learned English at school, and understands some of the struggles immigrant parents and children face. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Boston University, and a M.Ed TESOL from Rhode Island College. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her dog, as well as cooking, drawing, painting and providing affordable ESOL classes for community based programs in the Providence area.
Ms.Stipich@TAPprovidence.org
Sylvia Stipich (pronouns: she, her) is a lifelong Rhode Islander. Although she has set off to other destinations, she has always come back to the beaches and sights of little Rhody. She was born to immigrant parents who spoke only Croatian at home, so she learned English at school, and understands some of the struggles immigrant parents and children face. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Boston University, and a M.Ed TESOL from Rhode Island College. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her dog, as well as cooking, drawing, painting and providing affordable ESOL classes for community based programs in the Providence area.
Christina Tavarozzi, Special Educator
Ms.Tavarozzi@TAPAprovidence.org
Christina is a Providence, RI native with deep roots in the city’s vibrant arts and activism communities. Since her youth, she has been involved with organizations including AS220, City Arts!, Southside Community Land Trust, The Providence Black Repertory Company and Youth Pride. Christina joins TAPA with five years of experience working as a special educator at a charter school in Central Falls, RI. She holds an MAT from Roger Williams University as well as a BA in English from Rhode Island College. She began teaching to promote social justice, to create lasting, meaningful connections with students and to make education feel relevant for them. Christina believes in growing a culture of community and trust amongst her students. She encourages students to explore identity and build self-confidence through awareness of their own multiple intelligences as well as those of others. As the parent of a transgender teen, she is deeply commited to advocacy and allyship for queer and transgender youth
Ms.Tavarozzi@TAPAprovidence.org
Christina is a Providence, RI native with deep roots in the city’s vibrant arts and activism communities. Since her youth, she has been involved with organizations including AS220, City Arts!, Southside Community Land Trust, The Providence Black Repertory Company and Youth Pride. Christina joins TAPA with five years of experience working as a special educator at a charter school in Central Falls, RI. She holds an MAT from Roger Williams University as well as a BA in English from Rhode Island College. She began teaching to promote social justice, to create lasting, meaningful connections with students and to make education feel relevant for them. Christina believes in growing a culture of community and trust amongst her students. She encourages students to explore identity and build self-confidence through awareness of their own multiple intelligences as well as those of others. As the parent of a transgender teen, she is deeply commited to advocacy and allyship for queer and transgender youth
Student Support Team (Part-Time)
Ayla Ahlquist, Adjunct Film Artist in Residence and Paraprofessional
Ms.Ahlquist@TAPAprovidence.org
Ayla Ahlquist is a Providence native, who grew up in the public school system. She completed an Associates Degree as well as a Certificate in Film Production from the Community College of Rhode Island, before transferring to Emerson College in Boston, where she received her BA in Media Arts Production. Outside of her time in the classroom, Ayla is active in the comedy scene in Rhode Island, as well as working on independent film projects. She is so excited to join the TAPA team!
Ms.Ahlquist@TAPAprovidence.org
Ayla Ahlquist is a Providence native, who grew up in the public school system. She completed an Associates Degree as well as a Certificate in Film Production from the Community College of Rhode Island, before transferring to Emerson College in Boston, where she received her BA in Media Arts Production. Outside of her time in the classroom, Ayla is active in the comedy scene in Rhode Island, as well as working on independent film projects. She is so excited to join the TAPA team!
Paul Hoover, Orton-Gillingham Coach
Mr.Hoover@TAPAprovidence.org
Paul has worked with students in public, private and charter schools, ages 6 through 55. With a Bachelor’s in English Literature, a Master’s in Theology, and Ph.D studies in comparative literature at Stockholm University, he brings his unique background as an educator, professional actor and translator to guiding students to greater competency and confidence in reading and writing skills. He is a Fellow in Training of the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators. The Orton-Gillingham Approach to reading and writing is language-based, multi-sensory, cognitive, flexible and emotionally sound. As a professional NYC actor, Paul performed on stage, screen and television. He studied with Uta Hagen, Austin Pendleton and Rochelle Oliver. As an acting teacher he has taught musical theater and on-camera commercials.
Mr.Hoover@TAPAprovidence.org
Paul has worked with students in public, private and charter schools, ages 6 through 55. With a Bachelor’s in English Literature, a Master’s in Theology, and Ph.D studies in comparative literature at Stockholm University, he brings his unique background as an educator, professional actor and translator to guiding students to greater competency and confidence in reading and writing skills. He is a Fellow in Training of the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators. The Orton-Gillingham Approach to reading and writing is language-based, multi-sensory, cognitive, flexible and emotionally sound. As a professional NYC actor, Paul performed on stage, screen and television. He studied with Uta Hagen, Austin Pendleton and Rochelle Oliver. As an acting teacher he has taught musical theater and on-camera commercials.
Ricky Strickler, Paraprofessional
Mr.Strickler@TAPAprovidence.org
"Mr. Ricky" began his career at TAPA in 2020 after leaving his long-time home of Philadelphia for the wonderful city of Providence. Prior to arriving at TAPA, Ricky worked as a Career Counselor with High School seniors and was a Program Director and Co-Founder of Aspiring Young Artists Project, an afterschool songwriting and mentoring program. He is also a musician, producer, poet, and performing artist. In 2016, Ricky received his Master's in Urban Education from Temple University, where he focused on Culturally Responsive Teaching and racial equity practices for educators. Outside of school, he enjoys cooking, reading, basketball, spending time with family, and lots and lots of music.
Mr.Strickler@TAPAprovidence.org
"Mr. Ricky" began his career at TAPA in 2020 after leaving his long-time home of Philadelphia for the wonderful city of Providence. Prior to arriving at TAPA, Ricky worked as a Career Counselor with High School seniors and was a Program Director and Co-Founder of Aspiring Young Artists Project, an afterschool songwriting and mentoring program. He is also a musician, producer, poet, and performing artist. In 2016, Ricky received his Master's in Urban Education from Temple University, where he focused on Culturally Responsive Teaching and racial equity practices for educators. Outside of school, he enjoys cooking, reading, basketball, spending time with family, and lots and lots of music.
