Our Staff

Founder

Sally Poveromo M.E.D., founder and owner of Planet Gymnastics in Natick, and Little Flippers Swim School in both Natick and Winchester, introduces Sweet Peas Educational Gymnastics to Winchester. Her research, training and experience of over 30+ years as a child development specialist in both gym and swim environments allows her to share her true passion, using movement activity to help children learn and grow. Sally has over 30 years of combined experience as a collegiate competitor, teacher, coach, and judge. She has opened 3 gymnastics facilities and 2 learn to swim centers in the past 25 years and continuously follows her values learned as an athlete – those of hard work and dedication to excellence.

“I’m proud to serve my community by offering healthy experiences to children.”
“I’m committed to my staff, customer service, and understanding how best to offer quality physical activity to our youth.”

Sally holds certifications through USA Gymnastics, United States Swim School Association, and the International Association for Swim Schools. She serves on the Education committee for the USSSA and has been recognized at the national SUMMIT for the Professional Development of Youth Sports, Performance, and Education. When not at work you can find Sally on the tennis court, biking, or out running. She has completed 3 Boston Marathons as well as the Chicago Marathon, the New York Marathon, and the Paris Marathon. In addition she has rode in the Pan Mass Challenge 3 times completing 180 mile rides each time.

Our Management Team

Miss Olivia is our Program Director, specializing in business and operations. Olivia has her bachelor’s degree in Movement Science, with a concentration in Sports Medicine. She has also been involved in the gymnastics world for 25+ years! Olivia began her gymnastics journey at age 5 in recreational classes. She competed for several years before taking a break. Her heart was always in the gymnastics world, so she returned to the sport as an adult! She now competes on the USAG Xcel Platinum team at a local gym. Olivia is well versed in routine composition, skill progressions, and mental block training. She is passionate about positively influencing the next generation of the sport, and giving young athletes a strong foundation for lifelong movement. If she isn’t here, she’s probably swinging on the uneven bars or hanging out with her chihuahua Pedro. She enjoys working at Sweet Peas Educational Gymnastics and looks forward to getting to know you!

Miss Lianna is our Program Director, specializing in customer service and curriculum. Lianna is a mom of two beautiful boys, a toddler and a teenager. She studied at Cambridge College and has a background in Early Childhood Education. She has been working with children in different settings for the past 20 years! Lianna loves working at Sweet Peas Educational Gymnastics and loves doing arts and crafts in her spare time! Lianna believes there is nothing more rewarding than watching a child believe in themselves! She looks forward to watching your little ones gain confidence in themselves and a love for gymnastics!

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Miss Lisa is our Consulting Program Director. She grew up in Belmont and lives in Natick with her husband and two children.  She graduated from the University of Hartford and received a BS in Human Services and minor in Psychology. Physical fitness and athletics have always been important to her. She competed in gymnastics in high school, played Division I softball in college, continues to play softball in the summers, and is a marathon runner. She started working at Planet Gymnastics in 1997. “My teaching philosophy is to make sure that when a child participates in the gym program they learn gymnastics skills in an exciting, energetic, and safe environment. Just as important, they can relax, have fun, and feel comfortable with me as their instructor.” Lisa holds all certifications through USA Gymnastics including Safety, Professional Development I, Kinder Accreditation for Teachers, Movement Education and Lesson Plan Development, Hands on Training Preschool and Recreational, and is First Aid/CPR certified. Lisa was invited to be a speaker at the USAG National Congress held in Anaheim, California and also the USAG Regional Congress held in Newton, MA. Her presentation was entitled: “Who’s in Charge Anyway? Creative Approaches to Co-Teaching a Parent-Child Program”. E-mail her at lisab@planetgym.com.

Staff

Miss Em loves teaching gymnastics classes here at Sweet Peas Educational Gymnastics. Em has been working with children since she was 12 years old, teaching dance classes to children ages 2-8. She recently graduated from Dean College with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance with a concentration in performance and choreography. She truly enjoys helping children learn to build confidence and how to trust their bodies. Em strives to create a positive environment that leaves the kids with confidence in themselves. Outside of teaching, you’ll find Em enjoying dancing, performing, taking pilates classes, going to the beach, and spending time with friends, family, and her cat!

Our staff has been chosen and trained as child development experts in the educational gymnastics niche. Together we have the shared value of continuous learning and improvement of our programs. A program manager oversees the curriculum, staff, and gymnasts involved at that level. Every year the program director and teaching staff attend national trainings offered through USA Gymnastics and Sweet Peas founders plus others from all over the country to learn and share what is current in the industry.

Each staff director and instructor is USAG Safety Certified and holds a:

• USAG Professional Development Certification
• Kinder Accreditation and/or CPR and First Aid Certification.