ADULT PROGRAMS - Needham Public Schools

INSTRUCTOR BIOS
SHAKUR ABDUL-KHALLAQ has a BA in Psychology
from Boston University. He taught in the Boston
Public Schools for one year before joining the staff at
Needham High School as METCO Coordinator, and
has taught SAT Prep classes for Needham Community
Education since the fall of 2008.
BETH ACKROYD holds an undergraduate degree
from Colby College and a Masters in Reading Education
from Boston College. Beth has taught in Needham
for over 15 years, including many years in the early
elementary grades at Broadmeadow. For the last 4
years, she has been a K-5 literacy specialist at Mitchell,
and this year has taught Reading at High Rock.
She has also recently earned a Certificate in Parenting
Education from Wheelock College.
JOSEPHINE ANTONELLIS has over 15 years of experience
in data management. She is currently the Data
Manager for the Needham Public Schools. She enjoys
teaching users of all levels in a variety of computer
applications.
GEORGE ARBUCKLE is a self-taught Master Automotive
Technician, who is an ASE (non-profit National
Institute for Automobile Service Excellence) certified,
and an L1 Advanced Level Specialist in Engine
Performance. He also holds a BS in Business from
Babson College. George is the Service Manager and
lead technician at G.T. Arbuckle Inc., a family-owned
business in Needham established in 1984.
HILDI ARNOLD teaches physical education in Westwood
and has taught a variety of adult fitness classes
including spin, cardio kickboxing, muscle conditioning,
boot camp, step circuit, stability ball and beginning
yoga. She has many certifications including Aerobics
& Fitness Association of America Group Exercise Instructor,
Schwinn Cycling Instructor, Fitness Resource
Associates Level One Yoga Instructor, Resist-A-Ball
C.O.R.E. Level One Instructor, American Safety and
Health Institute CPR Pro, and First Aid. She earned
a B.A. in Sociology from Hamilton College and a Master’s
Degree in Education from Wheelock College.
INGRID GOLDBLOOM BLOCH has a MS in Counseling
Psychology and is a member of the ICC (Independent
Career Counselors), and the ACP (Association
of Career Management Professionals). Through her
business, Mosaic Careers, she provides personal
career counseling, coaching and assessment for
individuals facing a variety of career challenges. She
is also an artist who uses common objects in creative
and unusual ways to create her art. Her pieces have
been described as “innovative, ironic, and humorous.”
Her works have been featured in museums and galleries
throughout the United States, including two Bead
International: Best in Contemporary Beadwork touring
shows, the Fuller Craft Museum, and The Society for
Arts and Crafts in Boston, and Ripley’s Believe It or
Not! For more information go to www.ingridgoldbloombloch.com
LISA BORCHETTA, CMC, ACC, is a Certified Life
Coach and owner of Firebird Life Coaching. She also
has a Master’s Degree in Counseling, and worked as
a Mental Health Counselor before becoming a Life
Coach. Her desire to help her clients “be the best that
they can be” has been fueled by her interest and study
in the field of Positive Psychology. For more information,
visit www.firebirdlifecoaching.com
HEATHER BORKOWSKY is the farmer and educator
for the Needham Community Farm. She grew up helping
her family grow vegetables on their land in Maine,
and has since studied, farmed and taught in a wide variety
of environmental and agricultural settings, spending
time on both the East and West coasts, the UK,
Italy, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and British Columbia.
She has a degree in geology, her Permaculture
Design Certification, and has studied with a variety of
herbalists including an apprenticeship with Rosemary
Gladstar at Sage Mountain. When not in the garden,
she enjoys cooking, hiking, and sailing.
J. SCOTT BRUMIT has been studying various forms
of martial arts since 1983. He has studied and taught
Kung-Fu, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and numerous weapon
forms. He has performed as a martial artist in Sarah
Caldwell’s production of Puccini’s Turandot for the Opera
Company of Boston. Scott also has been performing,
directing and producing opera throughout the U.S.
for over 30 years, and currently serves as the General
Director of Needham’s Longwood Opera.
JOAN BUTLER AND JANA MILBOCKER own and
operate Enchanted Gardens, a landscape and design
company serving Metrowest Boston. Joan has been
a dedicated and enthusiastic gardener for over 25
years. The gardens that surround her home have been
included on two garden tours, and feature exciting
plant combinations, dramatic horticultural specimens
and surprisingly playful touches. Her professional
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NEEDHAM COMMUNITY EDUCATION