5 New Administrators Join Malden Public Schools

MALDEN, MA — Five new administrators will join the Malden Public Schools to work under Superintendent Ligia Noriega-Murphy. Noriega-Murphy, who assumed the role July 1, said Monday she has filled five key positions in the district.

Marie Lucey, Assistant Director of Human Resources

Now in her 23rd year with the Malden Public Schools, Lucey began her career in the technology department while also teaching computer night classes for adults at Malden High School. While in the technology department, Marie provided support and training for Malden Public Schools staff on how to use the newly implemented student information system.

In 2004, Marie became a part of the superintendent's office as Confidential Executive Assistant for Human Resources. She is responsible for the Applicant Tracking System, onboarding of all new personnel, maintaining personnel files, staff databases, teaching certifications, coordinating the background check process, MPS transcripts, teacher salary reviews, staff attendance, DESE state reporting, and all HR functions.

Tamara Lawrence, Early Childhood Administrator

Lawrence has served in education for the past 23 years, most recently as a special education program director at The English High School in Boston. Before that, she was an educational team facilitator/coordinator of special education and a teacher at the school.

Lawrence also spent two years teaching math inclusion in Baltimore and four years as a paraprofessional at McKinley Vocational High School – now known as McKinley Preparatory High School – in Boston. She started her career as a teacher at Tuskegee Institute Middle School in Alabama.

Jennifer McCabe, Director of English Language Learners & Title III Programs

McCabe has focused her 20-year educational career on teaching, training, and coaching in the area of multilingual learners with disabilities. In Malden, she has served as a K-12 ESL instructional coach, EL director, special education teacher, and Sheltered English Immersion teacher.

Emilys Peña, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

Peña worked for the Boston Public Schools for 25 years and has K-12 experience working as a teacher, literacy specialist, director of instruction, assistant headmaster, district leader, and educational consultant. She is originally from Puerto Rico and is fluent in American Sign Language, English and Spanish.

For over 15 years, she has shown her commitment to working with all children, especially with marginalized populations — English learners, high needs, alternative education, deaf/hard of hearing and culturally and linguistically diverse students.

Laryssa Doherty, Assistant Superintendent of Diversity, Equity and Engagement

Doherty has spent 14 years in the Boston Public Schools, previously serving in urban areas of New York and New Jersey. Her educational leadership has transformed school communities through strategic adult professional learning and growth, targeted student supports, and ensuring diverse perspectives in decision-making, Noriega-Murphy said.

Her focus includes building collaborative, inclusive and anti-racist school communities.