MARCH 2023 PANELISTS
Katherine V. Excellent, LICSW
(she/her/hers)
Writing your own biography is such an interesting & challenging task! I will start with my most valued identity, "Mommy.” I am the very proud mother of a soon-to-be 6-year-old boy who is of Irish and Haitian heritage. We have lived in the Tri-town for 10 years; our son is currently enrolled in the ORR district.
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Professionally, I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). I earned my Master's of Social Work from Boston College in 2007 and have been a practicing psychotherapist since. I have worn many clinical hats over my career- I have worked in homes, pre-schools, elementary schools, and outpatient clinics as a therapist, consultant, and supervisor. I have worked as a Mental Health Professional for the MA Department of Corrections, based primarily at Walpole State Prison. Currently, I am the Clinical Director of a long-term, a hardware-secure treatment program for young men ages 16-21 who have committed violent crimes across the state, with the focus being rehabilitation and overcoming adversity.
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Additionally, I have my own private practice where I provide therapy and clinical supervision. I have extensive clinical training in Race, Ethnicity, and Inclusion, which has been the heart of my career over the last 8 years. I am an REI trainer for the state. I have taught several workshops that discuss the role of systematic, structural, interpersonal, and internalized racism and strategies for confronting bias and learning to be aware of privilege and operate with cultural humility.
In my role, I have had the opportunity to work with children, youth, and families. So many of the people I have worked with have experienced significant racial trauma and been denied access to outlets and supports that serve as protective factors. As we know, access to protective factors greatly influences positive outcomes for young people. As a professional and as a mother to a bi-racial boy, I can strongly say that it is never too early to educate your children and develop a commitment to being anti-racist together.
I am so excited to support you in this journey!
Tyrone C. Black
Tyrone C. Black, a native of Hartford, Connecticut, is a graduate of Westminster School in Simsbury, Connecticut. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, his Master of Science degree in Education (Language Arts) from the University of New Haven in West Haven, Connecticut, and his Ed.D in Higher Education Administration and Organizational Change from Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois. His Dissertation topic is A Phenomenological Study: The Exploration of Students’ Faith, Spirituality and Engagement While Attending a Medium-Sized Jesuit University in New England.
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Tyrone has 28 years of classroom and administrative experience in both secondary and higher education. He worked as an admissions counselor and coordinator for multicultural recruitment for Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island. He then moved on and became the Associate Director of Admissions at the University of New Haven. Tyrone then worked as an Executive Recruiter /Associate for the Huntington Group which is an Executive Retained Search Firm in Trumbull, Connecticut. Staying true to his educational roots, Tyrone returned to the field of education and became the Director of College Counseling at Cheshire Academy in Cheshire, Connecticut. From 2001-2005, he served in this capacity until he accepted a position at Quinnipiac University as the Director of Multicultural Affairs for the university.
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After four years of working in Student Affairs, Tyrone returned back to Cheshire Academy in 2009 as the Director of College Counseling. In 2012, he accepted a position as the Coordinator of Dual Enrollment at Goodwin College, and in January of 2014 he was promoted to Director of Early College Programs. In 2014, Tyrone joined Wooster School in Danbury, Connecticut as the Director of College Guidance. He was then promoted to Head of Middle and Upper Schools and Director of Student Advancement. In 2019, Tyrone rejoined the Goodwin University community as the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students. Tyrone is presently the Associate Head of School at Tabor Academy in Marion, Massachusetts.
Beyond his responsibilities at Tabor, Tyrone travels nationally, conducting multicultural workshops and seminars. He is presently on the Board of Directors for Hartford City Mission, an organization that operates after-school and summer character-based programs for children and youth throughout North Hartford. Tyrone is a former member of the Board of Directors for Journey Home which is a not-for Profit Corporation partnering with the community to implement the Capital Region’s (Hartford County) Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness. He also served on the Admissions Counselor Advisory Board at Miami University of Ohio, Queens University of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA. He is the CEO and Owner of T. Carlton Educational Consulting, LLC, through which he provides college counseling to clients both domestically and internationally, as well as cultural sensitivity training for educational organizations. He is a spirited leader who believes that every person has a purpose.
Elizabeth O’Shaughnessy, Psy.D.
(she/her/hers)
Elizabeth O’ Shaughnessy, Psy.D. (she/her/hers) is a pediatric neuropsychologist who works with preschool and school-aged children with a wide range of medical, developmental, psychiatric, and neurobehavioral concerns. Dr. O’Shaughnessy received her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Clinical Neuropsychology. She completed a two-year Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pediatric Neuropsychology at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and a one-year Predoctoral Internship with the Virginia Beach City Public Schools. Dr. O’Shaughnessy also holds a Master’s Degree in Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Biology (Child Development) from Stanford University.
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Prior to becoming a pediatric neuropsychologist, Dr. O’Shaughnessy was a Head Start teacher in the Washington, D.C. public schoolsand helped craft public policy and programs to support children and families at the state and national level through her work with the National Governors Association and the U.S. Department of Education. Dr. O' Shaughnessy currently resides in the Tri-Town with her husband and 17-year-old son who is a senior at Old Rochester Regional High School.
One good conversation can shift
the direction of change forever.
Linda Lam
Work in the Community
Recognizing the enormity of our society's challenges, TTAR is dedicated to making a lasting impact in our community. While our efforts are driven by our organization's mission, we are always sure to get the community's input on future programs.
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If you have any suggestions, don't hesitate to contact us!
Community Conversations
TTAR held a talk at Tabor Academy about the importance of representation in literacy.
Community Conversations
TTAR held a Q & A at Rochester Memorial School to give the community the chance to learn more about local efforts and how to get involved.
Little Free Library
Our first Little Free Library located in Marion, MA. We foster an inclusive community that represents & reflects a diverse array of voices, cultures and perspectives.
