Linus J. Guillory Jr., PhD
Superintendent of Schools

(617) 730-2401
linus_guillory@psbma.org

Dr. Linus Guillory is the Superintendent for the Public Schools of Brookline. He brings a wealth of experience to the community, having been a classroom teacher, a principal, curriculum leader, and deputy superintendent over his 20-year career in education across the United States. The Public Schools of Brookline is excited to work with Dr. Guillory and his collaborative leadership team in putting students first and experiencing the joy of learning.

Prior to joining Brookline, Dr. Guillory served as the Chief Schools Officer in the Lowell Public Schools, where he led the improvement of instruction, professional development, and performance management for the district’s twenty-five schools. Dr. Guillory also worked as the Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Chief of Schools, and Director of Science at the Rochester City School District in Rochester, NY. In those capacities, Dr. Guillory helped shape the district’s improvement efforts, co-chairing a 10-year strategic financial, facilities and education master planning team, as well as realigning and diversifying staff to appropriately support students and their needs.

In addition, he worked at the NASA Space Center in Houston for 6 years as an education specialist helping educators to access NASA education products. Dr. Guillory also served as the program director for the Johnson Space Center (JSC) Pre-Service Teacher Fellowship Institute, a program designed to recruit, identify, support, and expose underrepresented future teachers to NASA and establish networks with Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic-Serving Institutions.

Dr. Guillory earned his BA in Biology with a minor in chemistry at Texas A&M; he went on to earn his PhD in Environmental Science at Oklahoma State University.

Grace Wai, Ed.D.
Interim Deputy Superintendent for Teaching and Learning

(617) 730-2432
grace_wai@psbma.org 

Dr. Grace Wai brings deep experience and knowledge about teaching, learning, and leadership after 33 years in education. Dr. Wai previously served in Boston Public Schools as the district’s regional superintendent. She supervised and coached school leaders and worked to instill a collaborative approach with schools and central office departments until her recent retirement.

Before Boston, she was the Director of Curriculum and Instruction in Framingham Public Schools and a principal for 17 years in Lowell and Westford Public Schools. Dr. Wai taught in Prince George's County, Maryland, and was a founding teacher of the Multicultural Magnet School in New London, Connecticut. Before pursuing education, she worked as a Communications Systems Engineer at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. A second-generation immigrant, Dr. Wai earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Boston College and her Master of Education from the University of Maryland.

Liza O'Connell
Interim Deputy Superintendent for Student Services

(617) 730-2444
liza_oconnell@psbma.org

Elizabeth O’Connell has been appointed to the position of Interim Deputy Superintendent for Student Services in the Public Schools of Brookline. Ms. O’Connell previously served in the Dedham Public Schools for seven years as the Director of Special Education. Prior to her work in Dedham, she served the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District for over thirty years, as a special educator, Team Chairperson, and Director of Pupil Services.

Ms. O’Connell’s reflective and transparent leadership style was evident in facilitating targeted professional development for staff, and leading multiple study groups on essential topics and challenges in the area of student services. Ms. O’Connell is an experienced collaborator and facilitator, and has previously lectured at Fitchburg State College and Lesley University.

Ms. O’Connell is a seasoned leader with experience in all aspects of special education and student services. Her depth of experience has contributed to effective long-range strategic planning that reflects high standards, academic achievement, social and emotional gains, and a solid sense of citizenship.

Jenee Uttaro
Senior Director of Equity

(617) 730-2404
jenee_uttaro@psbma.org

Jenee Uttaro accepted the position of Senior Director of Equity in June 2021. She will lead the development of a clear district mission committed to equitable access, process, treatment and outcomes for students; create and oversee ongoing professional learning experiences for staff that address unconscious bias and systematic racism; work with the Office of Teaching and Learning and school administrators to remove barriers for students; and work across PSB central offices to ensure that equity is foundational. She will also partner with students, families and community members in our collective efforts toward continual improvement, and conduct an Equity Audit to identify root causes for equity gaps in the district and plan for ways to address them. 

Before coming to Brookline, Ms. Uttaro taught English at Boston Latin School for nine years. She began her tenure with PSB as an English Language Arts teacher at the William H. Lincoln School and transitioned to Brookline High School in 2008. Since then, at BHS her positions included Program Administrator for The Literacy Project, Program Coordinator for the Content-Area Reading Initiative, Interim Executive Director of Steps to Success, Dean of Faculty, and most recently the Dean of the Old Lincoln School. 

Ms. Uttaro received her Masters of Education from Boston College and her Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from Endicott College. She is an instructor of graduate students in education leadership and professional learning and is a Council Member of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Racial Imbalance Advisory Council.

Tye'sha Fluker
Director of Human Resources

(617) 730-2410
tyesha_fluker@psbma.org

Tye’sha Fluker joined the Public Schools of Brookline as the Director of Human Resources in July 2021. In this capacity, Ms. Fluker will provide guidance and support to PSB staff regarding district policies, procedures, and other human resources strategy. Her focus in collaborating and building relationships with educators, municipal officials, and other stakeholders will provide important leadership and create positive outcomes for the Brookline community.

Ms. Fluker most recently served as the Secondary Network - Human Capital Manager at the Boston Public Schools, overseeing the district’s staffing assignments and reorganizations. Prior to that position, she served as the Human Resources Recruiter & Coordinator at Maranatha High School in Pasadena, CA, where she developed the organization’s first Applicant Tracking System. Ms. Fluker played in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) for three seasons, after leading the University of Tennessee to three Final Four appearances and two SEC Titles in her collegiate basketball career. 

Ms. Fluker has her PHR Certification from the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI). She received her Masters of Arts in Human Resources at Ottawa University, and a Bachelor of Science in Service Management from the University of Tennessee.