LAB Staff
Mary Tinucci, MSW, LICSW, has been a school social worker in Saint Paul Public Schools since 1991. She has worked with youth in a variety of settings. She has strong experience facilitating groups with urban youth. She developed her own interest in group work, writing, poetry and spoken word poetry into an innovative way to work with urban youth. She began by starting an after-school writing program at Ramsey Jr. High in 2000. She continued by founding and facilitating Lexicon, a community poetry group for high school students at Lexington Branch Outreach Library (now the Rondo Community Outreach Library) in St. Paul from 2001-2004. Throughout the last several years, she has consulted with several social service agencies to facilitate writing circles for GLBT youth, youth in foster care & other at-risk youth populations in the Twin Cities. Her own love of group work, poetry, journaling, and writing for emotional health led her to create The Poetry Lab (March 2004) for EBD students in St. Paul Public Schools. Under Mary’s leadership, the Poetry Lab has developed and transformed into The Lab to include additional creative modalities. Over the course of 7 years, Mary initiated and guided the Lab’s evolution and growth from a mobile program, to a field trip destination, to now being a program embedded in the school day of Journeys Secondary School. The LAB Staff this year includes a team of 13 (2 Vistas, 1 Americorps Promise Fellow, 3 St. Paul Schools staff and 7 interns). Contact Mary: mary.tinucci@spps.org (651) 744-1907.
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Tess Pease, MSW, LICSW has worked with youth for over 25 years, 11 of which have been in St. Paul Schools, as Team Lead in the PAS program at Central High School. Tess has returned to her work at The Lab this year, for her second year. Her passion is empowering youth, helping them identify their strengths and connect with these strengths in ways that move them toward their dreams. She is committed to learning and finding creative ways to encourage students’ engagement in high school and post-secondary education. She is passionate about health and wellness, and also loves travel, the outdoors and adventure. Tess was voted “Metro Area Cool Woman of the Year” in 2000 for her dedication to youth. Contact Tess: theresa.pease@spps.org, (651) 744-1908.
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Shay Glorius L. Martin, (aka Glo!), Creative Arts Specialist
Glo was born and raised in St. Paul within the very heart of the community. Writing and performing since he was 10 years old, Glo’s roots in and his impact on the Twin Cities music scene is recognized by his local peers, fellow musicians and media. He has received awards such as the Twin Cities Hip-Hop Legend award in 2008, and gained national recognition with mentions and reviews in such magazines as Vibe and The Source. Previously serving as a part-time Guest Artist/Mentor for two years with the Lab, Glo will not only continue in his role as a full time artist and one-on-one mentor for writing and recording with students, but he will also take a more active role in facilitating and coordinating those modalities. Above that, Glo’s overall focus will be to continue to embody and foster what the Lab is all about: Creating connections with youth that constitute confidence to be carried from the Lab into the classroom. By teaching and modeling healthy coping strategies and principles that can be used in every aspect of their lives through the arts, Glo hopes to achieve his dream of making a difference in the world through his music and the lives of youth. Contact Glo: shay.martin@spps.org, (651) 744-1921.
2011-2012 Americorps*VISTAs
VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) is a year-long, full-time commitment to serve on a specific project at a nonprofit organization or public agency. In return for their service, AmeriCorps VISTA members receive a modest living allowance and health benefits during their service, and have the option of receiving an education award or stipend after completing their service. VISTA members generally do not provide direct services. Instead, they focus their efforts on building the organizational, administrative, and financial capacity of organizations that fight illiteracy, improve health services, foster economic develop, and otherwise assist low-income communities.
Jason Rodney, BA. Jason is in his second year of service as an Americorps *VISTA for The Lab. He supports service-learning students, volunteers and interns and is excited to work with students through music, writing, cooking and probably all other modalities. Coming from work in community organizing, he is eager to develop the Leadership Lab further. Jason is thrilled to join this team and help The Lab flourish in its third year at Homecroft. Contact Jason: jason.rodney@spps.org, (651) 744-1923.
Kyle Johanson, BA. Kyle is also serving as an Americorps *VISTA for The Lab. His focus is on program development for the Visual Lab, Managing The Lab’s technological and visual media resources, and strengthening community partnerships through creative art events. Kyle is passionate about art, community advocacy, and holistic education serving the entirety of a human being. He sees these as society’s hope for liberation and justice. Contact Kyle: kyle.johanson@spps.org, (651) 744-1922.
2011-2012 Americorps Promise Fellow
AmeriCorps Promise Fellows focus their service on working with youth who are at risk of dropping out of school. Fellows serve youth in both school and community-based settings. Fellows provide researched- based interventions that focus on promoting and improving attendance, behavior, and school success.
Erin Weber, BA. Erin is in her first year of service as an AmeriCorps Promise Fellow for The Lab. She supports interventions for youth to get them back on track to graduate by connecting them to caring adults, high quality activities, meaningful service, and academic support. Erin is excited to work with students through service-learning experiences and the wellness lab, and probably some other modalities. Erin is passionate about service and helping youth and their families to lead healthier, more successful lives. Contact Erin at erin.weber@spps.org or 651-744-1894.
