Our Staff

Morton Orlov II

President, Mass Math + Science Initiative
Mort Orlov is the President of the Mass Math + Science Initiative, which is implementing the Advanced Placement Training and Award Program in the Commonwealth. Mort was formerly the Principal of Chelsea High School. During his tenure at Chelsea, he expanded the AP program and implemented an attendance incentive program. He previously served as Chairman of the Department of Military Science at Boston University. In addition to his academic background, Mort served for 23 years as an infantry officer in the United States Army in a variety of command and staff positions. Mort holds a B.A. from Tufts University, and a Masters of Military Arts from the School of Advanced Military Studies in Fort Leavenworth, KS.

Content Directors:

Gary Burdick

Assistant Director of Enrollment Services
Gary comes to the Mass Math + Science Initiative after six years of recruiting medical professionals as a government contractor for the Army National Guard. Gary was the CEO and president of Diamond Educational Services an education consulting and Management Company specializing in accelerated adult degree programs for several New England Colleges. Gary is retired Army 22 active service in the Massachusetts Army National Guard. Gary holds MBA from Anna Maria College.

Jeffrey Goodwin

Director of Science Services
Jeff is the Director of Science Services for the Mass Math + Science Initiative. Jeff brings 35 years of science teaching experience at Longmeadow High School to MMSI. Jeff taught AP Chemistry for the past 10 years, and was active in coaching students for the National Chemistry Olympiad, sponsored by the American Chemical Society. Jeff holds a B.A. in Biology from Westfield State College.

Sally Guadagno

Director of English Services
Sally is an experienced English teacher, with more than thirty years of teaching experience at both the high school and college levels. She introduced the AP Language and Composition course to Marshfield High School, and has served as the district representative to the Academic Assembly of the College Board.

Myra Morgan

Assistant Director of Science Services
As Asst. Director of Science Services for MMSI, Myra brings 30 years experience teaching AP Biology and Environmental Science at Miss Porter’s School (CT), The Ethel Walker School (CT), and the Sage Hill School (CA). She has also worked in research for the EPA and collaborated with UConn’s Undersea Research Center, the Bermuda Biological Station, and was honored with a teaching Fellowship at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. Myra is an AP College Board Consultant and has been an AP Reader for both AP Biology and APES. She holds a B.A. in Biology from Hanover College in Indiana, an M.S. in Science Education/Biological Oceanography from the University of Rhode Island and has been honored for her contributions to the sciences with a College Board AP Recognition Award and by the NABT with Connecticut’s Outstanding Biology Teacher Award

Barbara Plonski

Director of School Services and Advancing College Readiness
Barbara is the Director of School Services and Advancing College Readiness for the Mass Math + Science Initiative. She has 18 years of teaching experience spanning Grades K-12 and at the college level. Barbara taught courses including AP Biology, Chemistry, Oceanography and Environmental Science. Barbara most recently served as the Elementary and High School Science Director at Milton Public Schools. While at Milton she collaborated with UMass Boston on several National Science Foundation GK12 Programs. Prior to teaching she was a researcher at Brookhaven National Laboratory and Cornell University. Barbara holds a B.S. in Biology from Trinity College, Burlington VT, a M.S. in Biological Oceanography from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks and a C.A.G.S. in Educational Leadership from Bridgewater State College.

John Smolenski

Regional Director
John is the Director of Enrollment and Advising Services for the Mass Math + Science Initiative. John comes to Mass Insight after twenty-four years of active service in the Massachusetts Army National Guard, where he held a variety of positions in operations, recruiting and most recently as an Assistant Professor of Military Science at Boston University. John holds a B.A. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, an MBA from Anna Maria College and a Masters Degree in Education from Boston University.

John Souther

Director of Math Services
John is the Director of Math Services for the Mass Math + Science Initiative. John has taught mathematics for over 27 years, and taught AP Calculus from 1993-2009. He started his teaching career at Whitman-Hanson Regional High School, then taught at Norwell High School, and recently taught at Notre Dame Academy. He has coached math teams for more than 20 years. In June of 2010 John completed his third year as an AP exam reader. John has also been a presenter for Laying the Foundation, training many teachers in Massachusetts. He holds a B.A. in Mathematics in Secondary Education and a Masters in Teaching Mathematics from Bridgewater State College.

Campaign:

Jeff Mahoney

Director of Campaign Partnerships
Jeff is the Director of Campaign Partnerships. Jeff worked in the office of Congressman Stephen Lynch before joining the Mass Math + Science Initiative. He also served as a Deputy Inspector General for Massachusetts and was Chief of Staff to the House Ways and Means Committee and Majority Leader’s Office. Jeff has work on numerous local, state and national campaigns. He holds a B.A. in History/Secondary Education from Providence College.

Corporate Relations and Sponsorships:

Emily Berman Levy

Director of Corporate Relations and Sponsorships
Emily is the Director of Corporate Relations and Sponsorships. Prior to joining Mass Insight, Emily worked as Senior Major Gifts Officer and Senior Manager of the Business Alliance at the Center for American Progress (CAP), a multi-issue policy think-tank in Washington, DC. During her time at CAP, Emily helped to establish a corporate engagement program and under her management the Business Alliance grew membership to 80 partners within three years. Previously, Emily worked on Capitol Hill for a U.S. Congressman from New York and for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee under Leader Nancy Pelosi and Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Emily holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania.

Operations:

Wesley Chin

Operations Manager
Wes is the Operations Manager for the Mass Math + Science Initiative. He oversees the day-to-day management and coordination of the MMSI Operations Team. Wes is also responsible for the development and management of operational systems key to successful implementation of MMSI’s three focus areas. He joined Mass Insight in 2008 as a Project Coordinator where he worked with all division managers to implement major initiatives, as well as served as the logistical lead for the Advanced Cyber Security Initiative and the School Turnaround Group's State Development Network. Wes holds a B.A. in Psychology and Political Science from Boston University.

Brendan Berger

Operations Assistant
Brendan is an Operations Assistant at the Mass Math + Science Initiative. He joined Mass Insight in 2012 after working as a community organizer and a legislative aide intern at the Massachusetts State House. Before that, he worked for higher education publishing companies in New York and Boston, where he developed a talent for writing and editing. Brendan holds a B.A. in English, philosophy and political science from Boston University.

Michael Dinger

Operations Assistant
Michael is an Operations Assistant at the Mass Math + Science Initiative. He joined Mass Insight in 2011 after working for a number of years as a jewelry designer and personal stylist in New York City. Michael used his strong background with design and logistics to successfully lead the major components of MMSI's multiple teacher trainings and workshops during the summer of 2011. He continues to use his talents to support his passion for improving access and education within Massachusetts schools. Michael holds a B.A. in psychology from the New School for Social Research.

Jessica Hudspeth

Operations Assistant
Jessica is an Operations Assistant at the Mass Math + Science Initiative. She joined Mass Insight in 2008 after relocating to Boston from Chicago. She has worked with both the School Turnaround Group and Mass Insight Global Partnerships, specifically assisting with preparation for the U.S. China India Leadership Conference. Jessica is an educator, coach and professional actor, working on both stage and screen. She holds a B.F.A. degree Theatre Performance, as well as a certificate of completion from The Moscow Art Theatre School in Russia.

Sophia Jackson

Operations Assistant
Sophia is an Operations Assistant at the Mass Math + Science Initiative. She joined Mass Insight in 2011 after working in a similar role within the Healthcare / Pharmaceutical Industry. Sophia has extensive experience tutoring and counseling youth from various cultural and economic backgrounds throughout the Greater Boston Area. Sophia holds a B.A. in English, with a concentration in Creative and Professional Writing, from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where she graduated with honors.