Our Vision
To provide a barrier free pathway for individuals of all abilities to discover and achieve their most meaningful purpose in life.
Our Mission
To blend cutting-edge technology with personalized mentorship to empower people of all abilities to discover and achieve their most fulfilling path in life.
Leadership
Brad Duquette
Co-Founder
brad@majorchoice.com
Ed Goyette
Co-Founder
ed@majorchoice.com
Matt Foster
Interim CIO
matt@majorchoice.com
Tricia Piacentini
Curriculum Director
tricia@majorchoice.com
Staff
Valerie Kipper
Mentor Director
valerie@majorchoice.com
Mina Radulovic
Student Support Specialist
mina@majorchoice.com
Alanna Thompson
Enrollment & Retention Specialist, Major Mentor
alanna@majorchoice.com
Mentorship
Dr. Dena Shade-Monuteaux
PHD
Program Advisor
Lara Raymond
Mentor
lara@majorchoice.com
Erin Hussey
Mentor
erin@majorchoice.com
Joe Norton
Mentor
joe@majorchoice.com
Kara Sotirakopoulos
Mentor
kara@majorchoice.com
Arielle Mucha
Mentor
arielle@majorchoice.com
Eleni Nikitas
Mentor
eleni@majorchoice.com
Nicolle Lamontagne
Mentor
nicolle@majorchoice.com
Meet the Founders
Brad Duquette
Lost in the career maze? Brad's got your map. After his own missteps, he blazed a trail into education as an entrepreneur launching a nationally recognized company where he mentored and trained thousands of students across diverse campuses. During his travels, Brad witnessed their struggles with career clarity and rising high education costs - this frustration became fuel. He ignited a passion to guide young minds away from wasted years and money onto fulfilling paths.
Brad's impact isn't confined to classrooms. He also co-founded Helpiing, a platform sparking connections and empowering mutual support. His personal journey illuminates his professional mission. Now, watching his own children face similar choices, Brad cherishes the opportunity to make their "Major Choice" a brighter journey. Brad is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Lowell and a veteran of the Army National Guard.
Ed Goyette
Ed Goyette is a lifelong social entrepreneur who is passionate about enriching the lives of others through his work. Prior to co-founding Major Choice, he was focused on helping parents strengthen their relationship with their children through the launch of a project called “Yours for the Asking” – an engaging program that helps them put action against their child’s curiosities through the art of asking. Ed is also the founder of The Thought Center, an education course production company, and owner of BeanTowne Coffee House, a nationally award-winning café based in New Hampshire. Ed is also a Tedx Speaker and Global Presence Ambassador for one of the largest parenting organizations in the world. He is married and the proud father of three, who are a continuous source of inspiration.
Meet the Education Advisors
Valerie Kipper
Valerie Kipper received a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from UCLA, and went on to pursue a teaching credential and Master of Arts degree in Education and Psychology from Pepperdine University. Valerie worked in public health as a Health Educator and Program Coordinator before returning to graduate school at San Diego State University where she earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, as well as a Pupil Personnel Services credential. Valerie has worked for more than ten years in public schools with students from pre-K through 12th grade as a teacher, tutor, administrator, and social worker. In addition, Valerie worked in a private practice psychiatry office for several years. She enjoys supporting young people as they work to realize their full potential. Most recently, Valerie started her own home organizing and decluttering business, specializing in helping adults with mental health challenges. In her spare time, Valerie enjoys reading, going for walks, and karaoke. She lives near Los Angeles, CA with her husband, son, cats, and hamster.
Patricia Piacentini
Tricia Piacentini is an educator with more than 20 years of experience. As a parent of two adult sons on the autism spectrum, creating opportunities for people with disabilities has been a life-long passion. Tricia has a Master’s Degree in General Education from Lesley University and a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Fitchburg State University.Tricia started her career as an educator while working for Early Intervention, a program through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Later, in her role as a special education teacher, Tricia worked with administration to create, develop, and implement a program for students on the autism spectrum for Amesbury Public Schools. Additionally, Tricia has worked as a Home Trainer, teaching students with special needs how to generalize their skills across home and community settings. Tricia continues to work with students with a variety of disabilities including autism, adhd,and language-based learning disabilities, in a co-taught classroom, where students are able to receive services in an integrated setting. Tricia maintains three teaching licenses including Elementary Education, Moderate Special Needs, and Severe Special Needs and holds an Autism Endorsement through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Tricia knows first-hand that adults with disabilities can build rich and meaningful lives through their work. Nothing gives Tricia more joy than watching students prove to themselves how very capable they are.
Tricia lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two sons.
Lara Raymond
Lara Raymond received a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development from Rivier University, and her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from SNHU. Most recently she was the Adult Autism Specialist for the Northeast Arc’s Support Center, providing resources, and social opportunities to adults in the Lowell area. This followed 7 years of supporting those with developmental disabilities in New Hampshire. This
included time supporting adults as a direct support professional, working with NH START, a program that specializes in supporting individuals with both a developmental disability and a mental health diagnosis, as well as time as an employment specialist with a local day program. She currently provides mentoring services to adults on the autism spectrum, through the Northeast Arc. Lara is energized when able to implement person-centered approaches, which she believes enables individuals to set and achieve
their goals. Lara lives in southern NH with her husband, young daughter, and dog. She is an active member of the Lions Club. In her free time she enjoys attending concerts, baking, and taking beginner Irish step dancing lessons.
Joe Norton
Joe Norton earned a Bachelor’s degree with a major in Psychology and minor in Legal Studies from The University of Massachusetts, Lowell and is currently working towards an M.Ed in Special Education from George Mason University. He worked at a McLean Hospital as a mental health counselor in their residential program for individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder helping those individuals navigate the transition from inpatient facilities to independent living. Currently, Joe is working as a learning disabilities teacher in Fairfax County, Virginia. In his role as a learning disabilities teacher, Joe works to create, develop, and implement individualized educational plans for students with a broad range of learning and emotional disabilities. In his spare time, Joe is an avid hiker and skier. He currently lives outside of Washington D.C. with his fiancée and cat.
Kara Sotirakopoulos
Kara Sotirakopoulos graduated from Keene State College with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and went on to pursue a Master’s degree in School Counseling from Cambridge College.
Kara has 20 years of School Counseling experience working with students from Kindergarten through grade 12. She currently holds a School Counselor/Admissions Counselor position at VLACS, the public virtual school for New Hampshire and has also worked as a Middle School Counselor in a public school in Massachusetts.
Kara is passionate about working with students to help them reach their full potential.
Kara lives on the north shore of Massachusetts with her husband and two young children. In her spare time
she loves to spend time with her family outdoors and enjoys gardening, hiking, camping and boating.
Erin Hussey
Erin Hussey received a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education K-12 and Oboe Performance from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and she has been teaching music in Massachusetts Public Schools for 5 years. Erin is passionate about social emotional learning and student-centered growth inside and outside of the classroom. In her current role as an elementary music educator, she created a pop culture-centered curriculum that she presents to Music Educators across Massachusetts. Outside of school, she coaches a social emotional running group, teaches dance, teaches private instrumental lessons, and leads a student leadership council. As a young woman that has navigated the beginning of her career and independent adult life during a global pandemic, Erin is excited to help other young adults navigate the challenging beginnings of their own career path.
At home, Erin has an extremely hard working younger sister with Prader-Willi Syndrome, a very rare genetic autism spectrum disease. She has seen firsthand at home that individuals with disabilities can defeat all odds and build a meaningful livelihood for themselves. Outside of work, Erin enjoys running and playing the oboe. She lives near Boston, MA with her cat named Butter.
Alanna Thompson
Arielle Mucha
Eleni Nikitas
Eleni Nikitas is a high school Speech-Language Pathologist in Salem, NH. She earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in Communication Disorders and then later went on to receive her Master’s from New York University. Eleni has spent the last several years working with all kinds of students in many different types of settings. From private schools to pediatric clinics and everything in between, Eleni is excited to share her passion for language and communication with the Major Choice community.
Outside of all things school and speech, Eleni loves exploring new places through travel, soaking up the sun at the beach, and spending time with family and friends! And, of course, walking her pup Freddo!"
Nicolle Lamontagne
Nicolle Lamontagne earned her Bachelor’s Degree in History with a minor in Secondary Education from Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire. While teaching high school social studies at a local high school in New Hampshire, she continued her education at Southern New Hampshire University and received a Master’s Degree in Curriculum Administration. She has spent the last few years working as the School to Career Transition Coordinator helping students with internships, career exploration opportunities, guided informational interviews and meet and greets with various industry professionals, and assisted students in completing various community service events. She is enthusiastic about helping students find their strengths and explore their passions in possible career fields. Nicolle enjoys traveling, cooking new recipes, and spending time with her family and dog.
Major Choice Mentor Background Check Policy
At Major Choice, the safety and well-being of our students are our top priorities. To ensure a secure and supportive learning environment, we conduct thorough background checks on all potential mentors using Checkr, Inc., a consumer reporting agency.
Our Background Check Process
All mentor applicants undergo the following background checks:
- Sex Offender Registry Search: This checks if the candidate is registered as a sex offender in any jurisdiction.
- Global Watchlist Records Search: This screens the candidate against global databases to identify any potential matches with individuals on watchlists or sanctions lists.
- National Criminal Records Search: This searches federal databases for any criminal records associated with the candidate.
- Social Security Number (SSN) Trace: This verifies the candidate's identity and confirms that the provided SSN matches their name.
Disqualifying Offenses
While we review each application on a case-by-case basis, certain offenses may disqualify an individual from becoming a Major Choice mentor. These include, but are not limited to:
- Any felony conviction
- Any misdemeanor conviction related to violence, abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children
- Any offense requiring registration as a sex offender
Confidentiality
All information obtained through the background check process is kept strictly confidential and used solely for the purpose of determining mentor eligibility in compliance with applicable laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
Commitment to Safety
Major Choice is committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. Our background check policy is an essential part of our commitment to ensuring the highest standards of safety and responsibility in our mentoring program.
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Major Choice LLC