135 Prairie Avenue
Providence, RI 02905
Tel: 401-270-9007
Fax: 401-270-6595
MEET OUR SOUTHSIDE STAFF
Wendy Randle
Director of Education
wrandle@southsideelementary.org
Wendy Randle attended Salve Regina University where she completed a triple major in Administration of Justice, Political Science and Spanish. Shortly thereafter, she worked as a correctional officer at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, CT. Upon returning to RI, Wendy attended Roger Williams University where she completed her degree in Elementary Education. After graduating in December of 1999 from RWU, Wendy taught fourth grade at Cranston Calvert School in Newport, RI and was then hired as a first grade teacher at Coggeshall School in Newport, RI. While teaching 1st grade for five years, Wendy completed her Masters Degree in School Administration at Providence College. After graduating with her Masters in May of 2005, Wendy was hired to serve as the Principal of South Elementary in Somerset, MA.
After marrying her husband Derrick Randle who is in the U. S. Navy, Wendy and her husband moved to Beaufort, SC where she served as a principal of Riverview Charter School and Bolden Elementary/Middle School. She missed her family and ended up returning to RI where she served as the Principal and Head of School at Paul Cuffee School. After three years of employment at Paul Cuffee School, Wendy found her dream job at SouthSide Elementary Charter School. Wendy loves the children, families and staff of SouthSide Elementary. When she is not at SouthSide, she enjoys spending time with her family and her two dogs, Ella and Bella. Wendy loves to swim, paddle board, rollerblade and spend time outdoors in nature.
Lourdes DeJesus
Director of Finance/ Food Service Manager
ldejesus@southsideelementary.org
Hi! I have been working for Southside since it first opened in 2014. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico and moved to RI in 2003. I have a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. I have been in the school business field for 19 years. I have a daughter and a son (my dog). I love the beach and enjoy spending quality time with my family.
Tamara Diaz, LICSW
Social Worker
I am a visual artist and licensed independent clinical social worker who lives and works in the SouthSide of Providence. I was born in NYC but grew up in Barcelona, Spain. I have been working as a social worker for more than 20 years and began my career working in a shelter for teenage girls as well as other programs in Providence and Philadelphia. I opened my own private practice in 2010 and see children/families ages 3-18 for a variety of reasons including trauma, depression, anxiety or emotional/behavioral issues. I am passionate about art, music, traveling, helping others and my friends/family. I am happy to have worked at SouthSide since 2016.
Molly Tracy-Harris
Reading Teacher
mtracyharris@southsideelementary.org
I am excited to begin my 7th year teaching and 3rd year at SouthSide! As a reading interventionist, I work to support all of SouthSide’s readers and their teachers. Prior to working at SouthSide, I taught at Achievement First for 4 years where I taught grades 5-7. During my time at AF, I served as a grade-level leader and curriculum fellow.
In addition to my work at SouthSide, I am currently a student at the University of Florida working towards my Ed.S in Special Education and Dyslexia Certificate. I am a Project DECODE Scholar at UF, which has provided me the opportunity to collaborate with other special education and psychology scholars to learn more about dyslexia. Previously, I earned my MAT in Elementary Education from Relay Graduate School of Education in 2020, and my BA in Political Science from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in 2013.
While most of my time is devoted to lesson plans and my own school work, I love roller skating, reading, goofing around with my dog, Roast Beef, and watching movies with my husband. I’m also a musician - I’m a singer, and guitar player, with some piano skills who is also trying to learn to play viola.
KINDERGARTEN
Cameron St. Germain
K Teacher
Cstgermain@southsideelementary.org
My name is Cameron St. Germain, and I am so excited to be your student's Kindergarten teacher this year. This is my sixth year as a teacher. In 2020, I received my Master's in Elementary Education from Arizona State University. Currently, I am pursuing my doctorate at Johns Hopkins University. I plan to devote my life to empowering and educating children. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, exercising, and spending quality time with my friends and family.
Nicole Goulet
K Learning Partner
ngoulet@southsideelementary.org
My name is Nicole Goulet but I like to go by Nikki or Ms. Nikki to my lovely tiny humans! My pronouns are she/her. I have an associates degree as well as a certificate in social services from Community College of Rhode Island and I am currently pursuing a degree and teaching certificate in early childhood education! I have experience working in childcare, as an overnight camp counselor and working in a group home with children on the spectrum. I did an internship with Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island which is an organization I hold dear to my heart. I do photography on the side and in my free time, I like to play video games, watch anime, cuddle with my cat Gojo, and hang out with my friends and family. I am so proud to be apart of the SouthSide team!
Sue Rodrigues
K Learning Partner
srodrigues@southsideelementary.org
My name is Sue Rodrigues (Ms. R) and I have worked as an early childhood educator for over 30 years in the preschool and kindergarten classroom. I enjoy creating activities that encourage discovery and creativity. I am starting my 6th year as a learning partner at Southside and look forward to another exciting year. I am a mother of two adult children (Nate 29, and Alexa 23) and have many pets including a dog, cat, rabbits, a chinchilla, and chickens. I enjoy gardening and going on walks in my neighborhood or at the beach.
Corina Best
K Learning Partner
My name is Corina Best-Nicolau, I’ve been a French language teacher for a very long time, in my country and in the USA. Now, I’m happy to be a learning partner at SouthSide. I enjoy teaching the kids and see how they grow, learn and have a lot of fun. During my free time, I love to read and hang out with my lovely family
First Grade
Kimberly Nicoll
First Grade Teacher
knicoll@southsideelementary.org
Hello! My name is Ms. Nicoll. I grew up on Cape Cod and just recently moved to Rhode Island. I love spending time with my family and friends, listening to music, exploring art museums, traveling, practicing yoga, and being outdoors. This year will be my fourth year teaching and my first year at SouthSide. I have a passion for making my classroom a safe learning environment for all students and integrating social emotional learning within the school day.
Fanny Taveras
First Grade Learning Partner
My name is Fanny Taveras, I am from the Dominican Republic.I started to be part of Southside's family 4 years ago as a parent of 2 students. I love Southside so much that I took the opportunity to become a Learning partner. I am grateful to be part of the 1st grade community and give all the love from my heart to the students.
Danna Gomez
First Grade Learning Partner
dgomez@southsideelementary.org
Hello South Side Community,
My name is Danna Gomez. I am so excited to start my second year at the South Side Elementary School. As a Providence native, I enjoy working to uplift our youth in my community. I worked with young children for seven years at my church. I graduated from the Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts. I am now attending my second year at CCRI to become a teacher assistant. I enjoy music and majored in it throughout high school which was an amazing experience. I’ve been playing Violin for almost 5 years. I am really looking forward to having an amazing year with the 1st grade students. Thank you!
Second Grade
Deion Haughton
2nd Grade Teacher
dhaughton@southsideelementary.org
Third Grade
Samantha Poole
3rd Grade Teacher
spoole@southsideelementary.org
I was born and raised in San Diego, California. For college I went to Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ where I earned my bachelors in Special and Elementary Education. I spent six years in Arizona. I just moved to Rhode Island this August. I am currently in the process of getting my masters in instructional technology and will finish in december. This is my third year teaching, first year at Southside Elementary.
Nací y crecí en San Diego, California. Para la universidad fui a la Universidad del Norte de Arizona en Flagstaff, Arizona, donde obtuve mi licenciatura en Educación Especial y Primaria. Pasé seis años en Arizona. Me acabo de mudar a Rhode Island este agosto. Actualmente estoy en el proceso de obtener mi maestría en tecnología educativa y terminaré en diciembre. Este es mi tercer año de enseñanza, el primer año en Southside Elementary.
Chris Love
3rd Grade Learning Partner
clove@southsideelementary.org
Hello! My name is Christopher Love, this will be my first year working at Southside as a teaching partner for the 4th grade. I am a long time Providence native and have been working in child care for the past 17 years. My previous stops include Sackett Street Recreation Center, Cranston YMCA, Paul Cuffee School, and Times2 Stem Academy. I am currently a member of the Rhode Island Coaches Association and coach many different sports which includes basketball, volleyball, soccer, track and field and football. When I’m not in the classroom with our wonderful students, my free time consists of fishing, gardening, hiking through the woods and spending quality time with
my family.
Diana Gomez
3rd Grade Learning Partner
dgomez@southsideelementary.org
Hello! I will be joining the team as a learning partner. I have been working in child care for 6 years. I was born in Providence but my cultural roots are from Guatemala and Cambodia. I am the oldest of 3, and I have always taken great care of my family and worked hard to fulfill their needs. I am also a vocalist at my church where I volunteer my time in providing child care as well.
FOURTH GRADE
Jessica Quenga
4th Grade Teacher
jquenga@southsideelementary.org
Hello! I am Mrs. Quenga. I live in Cranston with my husband, Bryan. I have three children: Melody (21), Oak(15), and Reed (7). We have two cats, Molly and Luca, a dog, Opie, and three guinea pigs, Benji, Luna, and Cookie. I love spending time with my family and friends, listening to music, watching movies, and trying new things! This will be my second school year at SouthSide and my sixth year teaching 4th grade! My goal is to have every student in my class be successful and make steady progress. It is important that parents and teachers work as a team so this can be accomplished.
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Crystal Gonzalez
4th Grade Learning Partner
cgonzalez@southsideelementary.org
My name is Crystal Gonzalez and I am a learning partner in fourth grade. I will also be teaching SEL school wide this year! I have my BSW from Rhode Island College School of Social Work and will now be pursuing my Masters in Social Work. I have a certification in Social Services from CCRI. Prior to my job here at Southside, I worked with children on the spectrum as a behavioral technician running morning groups, but also working one on one with them in the clinic. I have experience working individuals experiencing homelessness as a shelter advocate with Crossroads RI and prior to that I spent a couple of years working with families at North Providence Housing as a Family-Self Sufficiency Assistant. My schooling at CCRI and RIC gave me the opportunity to do several diverse internships with local organizations such as Sojourner House, Rhode Island Food Bank, Olneyville Food Pantry, and Clothes to Kids RI. In my free time I enjoy making memories with family, taking roadtrips to new places, trying new foods, being in nature (camping, going to the mountains & beaches) and watching crime documentaries.
Music, Art, Physical Education, MLL
Janine A. Lee
Teacher, Provider, Mentor
jlee@southsideelementary.org
Technology Provider & Mentor
I am a vibrant musician, dog lover, graphic designer, techie, Mom, wife, and educator.
Born in Queens NY, raised in Long Island NY, RI has been my home for a number of years. I attended Shenandoah Conservatory of Music of Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia and received the Bachelor of Music Therapy degree. This is my ninth year at SouthSide! I started as a part-time music teacher. Due to also teaching full time at Community Preparatory School and the shortening of the SouthSide school day to 3 pm, I moved to teaching MUSIC & More in the extended day program. Now I am providing technical support and mentoring services. I am passionate about fostering the growth of positive individuals in our world through education and experiences. Each school year I look forward to having the opportunity to work with dedicated administrators, staff, and students that stretch my creativity.
Melanie Ducharme
Art Teacher
mducharme@southsideelementary.org
Hi I’m Ms. D (she/her) and I’m the art teacher at Southside! I am also a visual artist. I have exhibited my artwork for Windows on Pawtucket in Pawtucket, RI, been an artist mentor for the organization Creature Conserve, and I was a gallery night guide for Providence Gallery Night. I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth and a Masters in Art Education from Rhode Island College. Other fun facts: My favorite colors are red and green, I practice yoga, I love animals, and I have two rescue cats named Lexi and Calvin.
Hannah Resseger
Physical Education/Music Teacher
hresseger@southsideelementary.org
My name is Hannah Resseger. The students call me Miss Hannah or B-Mor7 (my Hip Hop name). I have been teaching specialist classes at Southside for 5 years. However, I’ve been volunteering and working with youth for almost 30 years. My background is in Hip Hop Culture, Yoga, Graphic Design, Media Studies & Africana Studies. I teach PE/Health, Music and S.T.E.A.M. Music, art and martial arts are my passion. When I’m not at work or making music I like to go bike riding or hiking with my dogs. I also love pinball, comedy, and Chinese/Korean Historical Drama.
