CPI has assembled an accomplished educational team with extensive experience in all aspects of teaching, training and operating high-quality schools.



Sheila Balboni, M.Ed.
Executive Director of The Community Group

Sheila Balboni, Executive Director of The Community Group, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Newton College, a Master’s in Education from Framingham State College, and a Master’s in Education, Administration, Planning and Social Policy from Harvard University. As Executive Director, Sheila has overseen the continued growth of the agency and established a reputation as a leader in the field of education.  Sheila is an original founder of numerous non-profit education related programs including: preschool, after-school and workforce development initiatives.   She is also the founder and director of Community Day Charter Public School and a principal with the consulting group, Community Partners Initiative. Sheila has served on numerous state level task forces and planning committees concerning policies and programs in support of families, such as the Governor’s Commission on School Readiness (2000). 

In November 2000 Sheila received the Merrimack Valley Athena Award from the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce for her work helping professional women reach their leadership potential.  In November 2001, she was recognized by the Lawrence History Center and Immigrant City Archives for her commitment to the preservation of the physical and human assets of Lawrence.  Sheila is a member of the Massachusetts Cultural Council Board, past President of the Massachusetts Charter Public Schools Association, past president of the Massachusetts Association of Child Care Agencies and past trustee of Northern Essex Community College.



Bruce Bean, Ph.D
Data Manager

Bruce has been involved in various forms of data analysis for over thirty years and worked as an accountant, creating a complete custom software general ledger package and other software programs. As the founder of his own software company, Bruce created custom software that contained over 14,000 economic and financial time series that gained national acclaim. For the past eight years, Bruce has worked for The Community Group and Community Day Charter Public School in Lawrence, Mass. where he has been involved in creating the CPI TeachingWise™ Learning Solutions that presents curriculum and custom software test data to teachers and administrators in an easy-to-use form. Bruce earned a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of New Hampshire.

Laura Richane, M.Ed.
Program Director

Laura Richane has been active in education for over 10 years, including over six years of elementary and middle school classroom teaching in district and charter schools. She brings experience as an educator, curriculum specialist, curriculum coordinator, and volunteer coordinator to the CPI team. In addition, she has worked with educational nonprofit and research organizations in the areas of curriculum development, literacy, teacher training, and after-school programs. Laura's experience training and supporting teachers spans a number of educational programs, including Teach for America. She holds a Master's degree in Education with a concentration in Teaching and Learning from Harvard University.

Debra Goldman
Special Projects Coordinator

Debbie has extensive experience in education leadership, and training. Her past roles include classroom teacher, childcare center director, and coordinator of training programs. Debbie's expertise includes the design and delivery of workshops for educators on a variety of topics including education program management, school-age childcare, and leadership development.

Tricia Xavier, M.Ed.
Facilitator

Tricia brings to CPI a compassion for learning and experience working with children ranging from pre-school to eighth grade. Her role as an educator has taken many forms, including classroom teaching, tutoring, and therapeutic services for students with special needs. One of Tricia's areas of expertise is collecting, analyzing, and using data about her students. She received her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Human Development from Boston College and a Master's Degree in Education from Emmanuel College.

 Eileen Bond, Ed.D.
Facilitator

Eileen's work in education spans several grade levels and subjects. She brings a great deal of classroom experiences as well as educational research to her role at CPI. In addition, she has been a tutor, curriculum consultant, curriculum designer, and coach.  Among other areas, Eileen specializes in curriculum alignment and adolescents' academic achievement. She holds degrees from Nova Southeastern University, Wheelock College, and Harvard University.