Meet the Staff

Deb Booth, M.Ed.- PACES Director

Deb began her career in Special Education after taking what she thought would be a “summer job” at a private school for children with autism in the early 90’s.  Before the end of that first summer, she realized she had found her calling, went on to get a Master of Education Degree in Special Education, and has spent the last 30 years teaching and learning from the students, families, and educators she has met along her journey.   Currently, Deb is the Director of the Pilgrim Area Collaborative Extended Services (PACES) Program. Deb developed PACES and its philosophy based on the principle that together, we can do more.  She believes that by providing education, training, consultation, and support that empowers students, families, educators, and community members PACES helps to maximize individual student learning in the home, school, and community settings.  Staying true to her mantra, “Be a Force of New” she recognized and responded to the growing need of the young adult population by developing the Learning for Life Programs which are designed to provide students currently in high school and beyond, with the skills, strategies, and support necessary to help them meet their transitional goals and improve post-secondary outcomes. Deb’s passion for learning has taken her to San Jose, California where she completed the clinical mentorship program at Michelle Garcia Winner’s Center for Social Thinking and she also holds the position of adjunct faculty at Northeastern University and Emerson College. 

Deb holds DESE Licensure as a Special Education Administrator (all levels) as well as Teacher of Children with Severe Special Needs (all levels). She is a certified instructor in Physical & Psychological Management Training (PMT).

Irene Volpe-Barry, M.S.Ed.- GAP Family Liaison

Irene is a wife, mother, grandmother and traveler, as well as a twenty-five year veteran with the Pilgrim Area Collaborative. She is a Northeastern University alumni with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and received a Master of Science Degree in Special Education. She holds teaching certificates in Moderate and Severe Disabilities. She began her career at the PAC as a teacher until her 2014 retirement from the classroom. With enthusiasm for a new adventure, she joined the PAC Extended Services Department as a “part-time” home Supervisor. In 2017 she joined the team developing the Learning for Life adult services. Her work includes Transition Assessments, Life and Educational Coaching, and working with GAP families as a state-services liaison. She brings dedication, experience, wisdom that comes with age and a passion for life long learning to the job. 

Elizabeth "Betsy" Hintz, M.Ed., Transition Specialist- GAP Program Teacher

Betsy joined the GAP program in 2021 with a wealth of experience. She has spent 31 years teaching, evaluating, and supporting the transition needs of special and regular education students in both Public School and Collaborative settings.

Betsy has completed the UMass Boston Transition Leadership Scholarship Program and holds the DESE Transition Specialist Endorsement. She was presented the "Excellence in Teaching" award which recognizes individuals who exemplify the practice of including and educating all students, regardless of disability, from the Duxbury SEPAC. Betsy loves teaching young adults skills they need to become independent at the GAP program.

Megan Bizarro, M.A., School Adjustment Counselor

Megan is a school adjustment counselor who began working at the Pilgrim Area Collaborative in 2020 after seven years as an elementary school counselor with Randolph Public Schools. She has experience working with students with a diverse set of needs and abilities, currently servicing both middle and high school students at Pilgrim Academy and young adults in the GAP program. Megan received her undergraduate degree from Simmons College in Public Relations, Marketing, and Communications and spent a decade working in the public sector promoting Boston businesses, restaurants, and hotels. When she decided she wanted to do something more fulfilling and meaningful, she followed in the footsteps of her social worker mother and got her Master’s Degree in School Counseling from Lesley University in 2009. She has enjoyed working with young people ever since. In her personal time, Megan is a wife and a mother to her son, Benjamin and enjoys spending time with friends, binging true-crime podcasts and snuggling with her cats.

Joanna Silverman, M.Ed., CHHC- Social Learning Instructor

Joanna is the Social Learning Coordinator for PACES. In her role as a coordinator, she provides professional development and consultation to families and school districts specifically in social skills development. Additionally, she supports students individually and during whole-class instruction in SEL.  She has over twenty years of teaching experience with children ranging from infancy to 22 years of age. Joanna has continued her education by completing the Social Thinking clinical training with Michelle Garcia Winner, Collaborative Problem Solving with Ross Green, and Acceptance Commitment Therapy with Russ Harris. In addition to her teaching certification, she holds a Certification in Holistic Health Counseling, Trauma-informed Yoga, and is a certified PEERS for school-aged children instructor.  

Debra Silk Thompson, DPT - Physical Therapist

Deb has been a pediatric physical therapist for her entire career, spending the last 20 years at the Pilgrim Area Collaborative. She received her Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy, as well as her Master of Science in Physical Therapy degree from Northeastern University. Always wanting to learn more and stay current with her profession, Deb went back to school and earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from AT Still University. Deb lives on the South Shore with her husband and two boys. She enjoys running and practicing yoga and is a Certified Yoga Instructor. Deb is passionate about physical activity for children and its importance in not only their overall health and wellness, but the role it plays in education and learning.  

Wilma Rizal Bilton , MS, OTR/L

Wilma is an occupational therapist with 27 years of experience across the continuum of care beginning at Brigham & Women’s Hospital and transitioning to home care on the South Shore as well as school-based therapy. Wilma obtained her master’s in occupational therapy from Tufts University and is currently a Post-Professional Clinical Doctorate Candidate in Occupational Therapy at New England Institute of Technology with projected completion in March of 2023. Wilma believes in the importance of health and wellness as a key component to student success and she has established a Health Promotion & Wellness initiative at Pilgrim Area Collaborative (PAC) which includes a daily walking club, as well as a Breakfast Club where students learn about body awareness and healthy eating. Wilma believes in the need to incorporate nutrition and exercise into a student’s day to promote self-regulation and to obtain a “ready to learn” state. Wilma is also part of the GAP Program and Transition Team at PAC which involves curriculum related to life skills and exploration of occupational and educational options for the students. Outside of PAC, Wilma enjoys yoga, Pilates, kayaking, and going to the beach.  In addition, Wilma enjoys sharing her dogBONES certified therapy dog Manny with both students and staff at PAC.

Cheryle Gallagher, MS CCC-SLP

Cheryle is a speech therapist who began working for the Pilgrim Area Collaborative in 1988 and recently joined the GAP program.  She graduated with a master's degree from Northeastern University and has worked with students of all ages and abilities in public schools, transition programs, work-sites, and a variety of community-based settings. Throughout her career she has used the teaching of social communication to help students develop conversational skills, perspective taking and foster relationships. She is an augmentative communication specialist who enables students to use various tools and devices to enhance their communication skills. She is also passionate about mentoring students in the communication disorders field. Cheryle lives on the south shore and has raised 3 children. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, learning about health and wellness and calligraphy. 

Patty Delph - Educational Support Staff

Patty has an Associates degree in Early Children Education and is fluent in ASL (American Sign Language). Patty began her career in special education working as a paraprofessional over 25 years ago in Holbrook Public Schools. She went on to work for the Pilgrim Area Collaborative and the Whitman/Hanson school district where she has spent the last 14 years. Patty returned to the Pilgrim Area Collaborative in August 2022 when she joined the GAP program as a paraprofessional. Patty brings experience working with individuals with a variety of learning and behavioral needs ranging in age from infancy to adulthood. Patty lives in Plymouth and enjoys spending time with her husband, 2 daughters, and her animals (2 dogs and 1 cat). She is looking forward to continuing her career at the PACES/GAP Program.