Our Student Support Team is dedicated to helping every child grow as a confident and capable learner by providing individualized literacy and academic support tailored to each student’s needs. Working in close collaboration with classroom teachers, families, and outside specialists, the Student Support team assists students with diverse learning profiles, including those with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), through targeted interventions, progress monitoring, and supportive in-class or small-group instruction. This team also helps coordinate accommodations, strengthen foundational reading and learning skills, and ensure that each student receives the guidance necessary to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally within our nurturing school community.
Learn more about the members of our Student Support Team:
Student Support Specialist – Noel Kousidis
Noel Kousidis has been teaching third grade at St. Mary’s for the past three years and truly loves working with her students each day! Her love for education was spearheaded by her preschool teacher experience while attending college full-time! She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and her Master’s degree in Moderate Disabilities from Emmanuel College, where she developed a strong foundation in supporting diverse learners. Noel is a natural collaborator, and has been instrumental in facilitating learning and growth opportunities with her upper elementary cohort. In addition to teaching third grade, Noel also serves as the Literacy Coach at St. Mary’s! She carves out individual time to provide targeted intervention with students to strengthen their reading, writing, and comprehension skills. Noel is very excited to broaden her impact amongst the entire S.T.A.R.S. community in her new role this upcoming school year as our full-time Student Support Specialist! She is passionate about helping children build confidence, discover a love of learning, and reach their full potential in a supportive and joyful classroom community. We are so excited to welcome Noel and support her in her new role!
Dean of Students – Nicole Kfoury
Nicole Kfoury graduated from Assumption College with a B.A. in Sociology-Criminology while competing as a three-season student-athlete. She later earned her Master of Science in Crime and Justice Studies, Youth Justice, from Suffolk University. She spent nearly a decade in Boston Public Schools with City Year AmeriCorps as a tutor, mentor, Teacher’s Aide, and young adult Manager, focusing on attendance interventions, behavior management, curriculum development, and after-school programming. She then spent two years at Scholar Athletes supporting academic achievement through athletics in Boston high schools, followed by five years at PEAR as Manager of Networks and Business Development, where she excelled as a SEL researcher, consultant, coach, and trainer. Before coming to St. Mary’s, Nicole leaned into her passion for social justice as Director of Operations at Lovin’ Spoonfuls, focusing on team development, food rescue, equity, and environmental sustainability. She values a life of service and has been actively involved with numerous philanthropic organizations, as well as her beloved alma mater, Mount Alvernia High School, where she served as Board Chair and SEL consultant. As Dean of Students at St. Mary of the Assumption, Nicole has fully immersed herself in the culture, climate, and academic life of 67 Harvard Street. She moderates the Middle School Student Government Association, coaches Grade 3/4 coed basketball, teaches a weekly Leadership Seminar, and oversees middle school community service and student life. Nicole has quickly become a valued member of the Administrative and Student Support Teams, and we are excited to see her continue to grow in this role.
School Guidance Counselor – Nisreen Bayazid
Mrs. Nisreen Bayazid has been the School Counselor at Saint Mary of the Assumption School ever since 2023. She received a Dual Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling and School & Community Counseling from Lesley University. She then worked for three years as a Registered Behavioral Therapist, one year as a Mental Health Counselor, and has been a School Counselor for the last nine years. She feels blessed to work at St. Mary’s to be a part of every single child’s education journey. Ms. Nis, as the students call her, provides support for teachers in and out of the classroom, She teaches Social-Emotional Growth lessons, has 1:1 School Based Counseling sessions with students, she hosts Lunch Bunches and Small Groups, She works closely with families who have some special education needs and then again with our partners who offer all of the necessary supports to help each student feel safe, comfortable, and supported to learn and grow. She also has the added blessing of sending her infant and toddler to St. Mary’s. They love everything about school. Lastly, when our students make it to 8th grade, Ms. Nis works closely with each student and their parents to prepare them for high school and apply to prestigious high schools in the greater Boston area. She helps to ensure that all of the 8th grade has the opportunity to pursue independent and Catholic high schools, along with the scholarships and Financial Aid to help make their dreams a reality. Ms. Nis is married with two beautiful children and loves the ocean.
School Nurse – Kaitlin Cooke R.N.
Nurse Katie earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Rhode Island’s College of Nursing and is proud to serve as part of the school community. She is a licensed Registered Nurse and holds certifications in BLS CPR/AED, seizure recognition and first aid, and SALT Mass Casualty Triage Training. Katie also has advanced training in postpartum and newborn care, including Postpartum Doula Certification, Newborn Sleep Coach 101 Certification, Certified Newborn Care Expert, and COVID-19 Caregiver Training. With experience caring for children of all ages in hospital, home, daycare, camp (day and sleepaway), and school settings, Katie brings a well-rounded and compassionate approach to student health. As a school nurse, she is dedicated to promoting the physical and emotional well-being of every student. She strives to create a safe, welcoming space where students feel comfortable, supported, and cared for throughout the school day, while partnering closely with families and staff to help children thrive. In addition to her role at school, Katie works part-time supporting newborns and their families. Outside of nursing, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends.
