Parker Professionals
David S. Parker
Founder/CEO
dparker@parkeracademy.com
David Parker founded Parker Education thirty years ago tutoring teenagers. Prior to that he had a variety of roles in educational settings. He is still actively involved in all aspects of the practice. “Serving the public is an honor. Concord has been and still is a great place to grow a family and a business. Community really means something here.” In his free time David likes to recreate by reading, skiing, fly fishing and playing music.
Educational Experience
- Antioch of New England, Keene, NH: Autism Certification Program
- Granite State College, Concord, NH: Special Ed. Certification
- Tufts University, MA & S.U.N.Y., NY: Graduate Studies
- University of New Hampshire: B.S., Environmental Education
- Teacher/Naturalist, Society for the Protection of NH Forests
- Activities Director, Simon’s Rock College, Great Barrington, MA
- Dean of Students, Bard College, NY
- Curriculum Director, Independent Educational Associates
- Director – Tutoring & Instructional Services, Inc. & Parker Academy
Danielle Krautmann
Director
dkrautmann@parkeracademy.com
Danielle Krautmann is the Director and Occupational Therapist at Parker Academy, bringing over 20 years of clinical and educational experience to her role. Having grown up immersed in the mission of Parker Academy, founded by her parents to serve non-traditional learners, Danielle’s commitment to fostering student growth and well-being is deeply personal as well as professional. Her philosophy emphasizes the capabilities of students rather than their challenges—a belief shaped by her occupational therapy background. Rather than asking if students can succeed, she asks how, working creatively and collaboratively to help each student achieve their dreams. Danielle also holds an additional certification in therapeutic horticulture and has introduced a school gardening program to enrich students’ learning through hands-on experiences with nature.
Danielle lives in Canterbury, NH, with her husband and children, where she enjoys family time and caring for her gardens, fruit trees, chickens, and honeybees.
Education
- Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
- University of New Hampshire, 2004
- Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy
- University of New Hampshire, 2003
Licensure
- Licensed Occupational Therapist, State of New Hampshire
- Registered Occupational Therapist, NBCOT
Memberships and Affiliations
- New Hampshire Occupational Therapy Association
- Concord Area Chamber of Commerce
- New Hampshire Private Special Education Association
- New Hampshire Association of Special Education Administrators
Rachael Lacy
Assistant Director
rlacy@parkeracademy.com
Rachael Lacy is the Assistant Director usually found in the front office. She had previously worked with students for three years as an academic advisor and recuiter for Liberty University before joining the Parker Academy Family.
Rachael has moved back to her roots in New Hampshire from Virginia where she went to school and met her husband. Since being back in New Hampshire Rachael has also added three children to her loving family. Rachael is always learning something new or chasing after her littles. She loves to travel, and one day hopes to travel internationally with her husband and children. Culture is a big part of her life, and she plans to explore as much as she can.
Education
- Masters of Education: Higher Education: Educational Leadership
- Bachelors in Business Administration
Memberships and Affiliations
- Concord Area Chamber of Commerce
- New Hampshire Private Special Education Association
- New Hampshire Association of Special Education Administrators
Ginelle Johnson
Principal
gjohnson@parkeracademy.com
Ginelle has been in education for over 15 years as a classroom teacher, special education teacher, and administrator. She has experience at all grade levels with a focus on social emotional responses and restorative practices. She holds her doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from Plymouth State University. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, boating, dancing, and completing house projects.
Education
- Plymouth State University, NH: (EdD) Doctorate in Educational Leadership, Learning, and Community
- Southern New Hampshire, NH: (MEd) Masters in Educational Leadership
- Southern New Hampshire, NH: (BA) Bachelor of Arts in Education
Chloe Carignan
Administrative Assistant
ccarignan@parkeracademy.com
Chloe Carignan is one of our administrative assistants found in the front office. She was born and raised in NH. She graduated from Pembroke Academy and New Hampshire Technical Institute (NHTI) College with her Associates Degree in Liberal Arts. Chloe is a big part of her community through sports and volunteering to help raise money for local veterans. She enjoys playing sports like basketball and softball and going on adventures with her friends and family.
Ken Bednars
Science Teacher
kbednars@parkeracademy.com
Ken has worked for Parker Academy and TAIS for a number of years, teaching science and math. He has a B.S. in Biology from the University of New Hampshire, and an M.S. in Biological Chemistry from the University of Connecticut. His interests include hiking in the woods, biking, swimming, and canoeing. He also does regular volunteer work for the Shoals Marine Lab on Appledore Island in the Gulf of Maine. He lives a rustic life in Weare in a couple of geodesic domes, with a wood stove for heat and a vintage composting toilet.
Educational Experience
- University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT: M.S., Biological Chemistry
- University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH: B.S., Biology
- Residential Rehabilitation Specialist, Riverbend Community Mental Health
- Specialties: Biology, Algebra, Chemistry
Hunter Bolduc
Music Teacher
hbolduc@parkeracademy.com
Hunter Bolduc is a former Parker student who was heavily involved in the music program from 2013-2017. He always loved music but Parker is where he was able to really hone his skills and fall in love with music even more. He went to UNH where he received his Bachelor's degree in Music Liberal Studies. During that time, he had done a couple of internships at Parker Academy to help with his studies. After graduating college, he decided to return and give back to where his musical journey began.
Brianna Chabot
Physical Education/Health
bchabot@parkeracademy.com
Brianna has her bachelors in educational communities with a science minor. Masters in curriculum and instruction. Both are from New England College in Henniker N.H.
She lives in Derry N.H. and went to Pinkerton Academy for high school.
Brianna has a processing disorder which influenced her to become a teacher, so she can help the younger generations with school and let them know they aren’t alone in this process. In her free time she enjoys playing basketball, softball, hiking, and being with family.
Michael Cochran
Social Studies Teacher
mcochran@parkeracademy.com
Michael Cochran has dedicated the last nine years to education, specializing in high school social studies. A graduate of the University of Vermont, Michael brings a diverse background to his current role, having previously taught at a private special education school in Massachusetts and at a public middle school in New Hampshire. Passionate about fostering a deep understanding of history and social studies, Michael works to connect students to both historical and current events, creating an engaging and enriching classroom experience.
Rose Garvin
Accountant/Human Resources
rgarvin@parkeracademy.com
Rose was a certified public accountant in the State of NH for twenty years. She has previously been employed as a business manager and controller. She has also worked in public accounting as well as a credit manager for a mobile home dealership in South Texas.
She is a grandmother to five grandchildren, one girl and four boys, and a mother to two sons. Family and friends are very important to her. She prides herself in a job well done both personally and professionally.
She enjoys watching the Patriots play, reading books and spending quality time with her grandchildren.
Education
- Southern NH University BA Accounting
- Endicott College AS Graphic Design
Gregory Heavey
English Teacher
gheavey@parkeracademy.com
Gregory has lived in NH all his life. He grew up in Salem, NH, but now resides in Derry, NH with his wife and four daughters. Gregory was an avid gamer when he was a child and spent a lot of time in the woods exploring nature and enjoying the many splendors of the outdoors. After graduating high school, Gregory worked for a bunch of retail jobs such as ToysRUs and JCPenney before deciding to go to college to study to be an English teacher. Gregory started out his journey at NECCO and received his associates degree in secondary education, where he then transferred to Southern New Hampshire University to continue his journey. He graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in English Language literature/ English Education in 2016.
From there Gregory started his teaching career at Pinkerton Academy where he worked teaching English for sophomores and juniors. He taught there for 5 years before the Covid pandemic started. Gregory decided to put his teaching career on hold and stayed home to homeschool two of his daughters for a year. Once things began to improve and everything began opening up, he took a job as an English teacher for Parker Academy where he currently teaches.
Jonathan Higgins
IT and Foreign Language Teacher
jhiggins@parkeracademy.com
Jonathan is a Concord, New Hampshire native who spent his childhood riding his bike around White's Park. Upon graduation from university, he taught English in China for nearly eight years, returning to the US after the first four years to earn his Masters in General Secondary Education and then returning for another three and half years. While in China, Jonathan became fluent in Chinese.
Since returning to the US in 2006, he has served as an Education Consultant for the New Hampshire Department of Education, the District Professional Development Coordinator for the Manchester School District, a Course Developer for the Office of Sponsored Research at UNH in Durham, and an Adjunct Professor at Plymouth State University, which he still does.
From 2011 to 2016, Jonathan established the Mandarin Chinese Program at Holderness School, which now boasts four levels.
Jonathan is in his 9th year at Parker Academy.
Educational Experience
- Capella University, Minneapolis, MN: Phd in Leadership for Higher Education
- Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA: Masters in General Secondary Education
- University of North Carolina, Asheville, NC: BA in Sociology, BA in Spanish
- Tutors: Mandarin Chinese, beginning Spanish, Math and English
Alex Kivikoski
Special Education Teacher and Case Manager
akivikoski@parkeracademy.com
Alex Kivikoski lives and was raised in Manchester, NH with his dog Jasmine. He graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a BA in elementary education and an endorsement in special education in grades K-12. Alex came to Parker after one year as a paraprofessional and two years as a clinical intern in a public school district. Outside of school Alex enjoys hanging out with friends and family, swimming, being outside, visiting amusement parks, walking on the beach and watching the sun set!
Marti Lawton
Special Education Teacher and Case Manager
mlawton@parkeracademy.com
Marti Lawton lives in Warner with her two cats and lots of gardens. She graduated from a small liberal arts college with majors in Psychology and History. After graduation realizing that waitressing was not the path to the future, she began to work in a school as a special education aide. From there, she realized that she was a teacher. Marti taught for over a quarter of a century in public schools as a special education teacher. She carries certifications in General Special Education, Learning Disabilities and Emotional Handicaps.
Educational Experience
- BS in history and psychology from Nasson College
- Teaching License in General Special Education, Learning Disabilities and Emotional Handicap.
- 24+ years as a teacher in special education
Ermira Nakuci
Math Teacher
enakuci@parkeracademy.com
Ermira Nakuci is in her 11th year of teaching at Parker Academy. She previously taught mathematics in the Manchester School District in Manchester, NH and at the High School of Fier in Albania.
Mira operates on the premise that all students can learn and be successful in their math studies and that a positive and respectful learning environment is the critical ingredient to maximizing student achievement. Mira holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Natural Science, Tirana-Albania in the study of Mathematics associated with a diploma as a Teacher of Mathematics for grades 9-12 and a Master of Mathematics Education Teaching for Secondary Mathematics, 7-12, from Plymouth State University in Plymouth, New Hampshire.
In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, coloring, cooking, reading, cleaning and decorating her house. If you wish to contact Mira, you can reach her by phone at 228-4209, extension 201, or by email at enakuci@parkeracademy.com.
Educational Experience
- Bachelor Degree, Mathematics: University of Natural Science- Tirana Albania
- Master in Ed Secondary Education; Plymouth State University
- High School Mathematics Teacher (9-12) Albania
- Certification in Russia,Tirana, Albania
- NH Secondary Mathematics (7-12)
- NH Member of National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
- Member of NH Association of Teachers: English as a Second Language, NH ESOL
- Friends of the Community Players of Concord NH
- Member of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church – Concord NH
Brynnalee Simmons
Art Teacher
bsimmons@parkeracademy.com
Brynnalee has an extensive educational background in the arts. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in Painting, a double major in Psychology, and a minor in Theatre from Emmanuel College. She also earned a Master of Education degree from American International College and completed a Mindfulness & Meditation course at the University of Massachusetts. Currently, she is a graduate student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Originally from Concord, NH, Brynnalee spent ten years living in the San Francisco Bay, where she pursued a professional performing career. She then taught art in the Worcester Public School system for eight years before returning home. Brynnalee is excited to share her passion for the arts with the Parker Students. In her free time, she enjoys practicing Hot Yoga, watching movies, creating art, capturing nature photos, and indulging in her all-time favorite activity, singing in a folk duo.
Educational Experience
- Emerson College – Theatre
- Emmanuel College – Bachelor of Arts: Concentration in Painting. Double Major in
- Psychology. Minor in Theatre
- American International College – MEd
- University of Massachusetts – Mindfulness & Meditation
- New England College - Graduate Student Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Jim Speigel
English Teacher
jspeigel@parkeracademy.com
Jim Speigel is a Theatre and English teacher and an academic support tutor. Jim taught for the past 28 years at the Derryfield School in Manchester and New Hampton School in New Hampton.
Jim has directed and performed in both Professional and Community theatre and was the Artistic Director and Founder of SandCastle Productions Theatre Company in Concord. He is also currently a director for RB Productions at the Capitol Center For The Arts in Concord.
As an educator Jim has taught Middle School, High School, and College classes that have ranged from English, Public Speaking, and Film Studies to Shakespeare, Script Writing, and Theatre.
Education
BS in Education with a Minor in Theatre from Plymouth State University
Amber Violette, LICSW, MLADC, CPS
School Counselor
aviolette@parkeracademy.com
Amber is our school counselor and psychotherapist at Parker Academy.
In the past she has worked with families and adolescents in community mental health, but has had the opportunity to spend the last 12 years working in school settings with middle and high school students.
She received her Masters Degree in Social Work from UNH she has obtained two clinical licensures; both her Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and Master Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (MLADC). Amber is also certified as a Prevention Specialist. She has been a licensed clinician for more than 15 years.
She lives in Epsom with her family and dog, and loves spending time outside and in her garden.
Jasper
Certified Therapy Dog
Jasper, Parker Academy’s newest addition, is a young yellow lab in training to become a certified therapy dog. Jasper eagerly joins in walking and running clubs, where he gets his daily exercise alongside students. Known for his love of Pup-peroni training treats and a good game of fetch, Jasper is as motivated as he is playful. With the guidance of students, who are helping him practice calmness and focus, Jasper is well on his way to becoming a steady, comforting presence in the Parker community.
Questions? Contact us today to schedule a tour or meeting with one of our team members.
Thank You!
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