Every
student
deserves to
access the full Needham
High School experience
Since 2003, Needham Steps Up (NSU) has helped students overcome institutional and circumstantial barriers that make accessing all that Needham High School has to offer an often insurmountable challenge.
NSU is entirely funded through generous donations from businesses and members of our community. In addition to one-to-one mentoring, NSU provides equity and enrichment grants, SEL skill development, college application assistance, post- graduation planning, and more.
MISSION
The mission of Needham Steps Up is to empower qualifying students at Needham High School through trusted mentoring relationships that help develop their capabilities and provide access to the resources necessary to successfully navigate high school and achieve their post-secondary goals
history
Needham Steps Up originated in 2003 under the name Countdown to Success. It was established with a $20,000 grant from the Congregational Church of Needham when four dedicated parents, who lived in Needham public housing, committed to creating a mentoring program for their high school-age children who were underserved as a result of their circumstances. They identified a clear need for tutoring and support, free of charge, to help their kids access the Needham educational experience as expected, and help with the college application process. Their grassroots effort to establish such a program paid off and they launched Countdown to Success as an after school tutoring program.
In 2006, with an additional grant from the church, the program evolved into a comprehensive, one-to-one mentoring program, and was renamed Steps to Success. In 2010, when the funding was due to expire, a group of community members formed Needham Steps Up (NSU) as a fundraising organization to ensure the continuation of Steps to Success. Now located within Needham High School, the program became an essential vehicle for establishing equity for the students enrolled. The relationships and skills students have developed through the program have had a measurable impact on their success in high school and beyond. In 2014, Steps to Success was renamed Needham Steps Up.
leadership
Kate McMahon, Director
Kate McMahon brings a strong background in special education and student advocacy to her role as Director of Needham Steps Up. She earned her undergraduate degree in History and Education from Villanova University and holds a Master’s degree in Special Education from Vanderbilt University, where she also completed coursework in Applied Behavior Analysis and became a certified Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
Kate has spent the past three years at Needham High School as a special education teacher in the Connections Program, which supports students with emotional disabilities. While at Vanderbilt, she contributed to research focused on improving outcomes for students with disabilities—experiences that confirmed her passion for working directly with young people and supporting their growth through meaningful relationships.
At the heart of Kate’s work is a deep commitment to building strong, supportive relationships with students. As a special education teacher, she has seen the transformative power of connection in helping students feel valued, understood, and empowered. She joined Needham Steps Up because she believes that mentorship can be one of the most impactful tools in creating a sense of belonging and community. Her leadership in the program is grounded in this belief—that every student deserves to be seen, heard, and supported in ways that help them thrive.
Kate first became involved with Needham Steps Up as Assistant Director in 2024, after seeing firsthand the meaningful mentor relationships formed by several of her students. She now brings that same passion and vision to her role as Director.
In addition to her teaching and leadership roles, Kate also coaches JV Girls’ Ice Hockey and serves as an assistant coach for the Unified Track Team at NHS.
Katrina Martyn, Assistant Director
Katrina Martyn brings a deep background in counseling and education to her role as Assistant Director of Needham Steps Up. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, with minors in Education and Psychology, from UMass Amherst, and earned her Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Boston College.
For the past nine years, Katrina has served as a School Counselor at Needham High School, where she is recognized for her compassionate, student-centered approach. Her experience also includes supporting college students with learning differences and disabilities, broadening her understanding of student advocacy and inclusive education. In recognition of her outstanding work with students and families, she received the SEPAC Award in the spring of 2024.
A committed mentor in the Needham Steps Up program since 2016, Katrina stepped into the Assistant Director role driven by her passion for equity, inclusion, and helping students feel a strong sense of belonging. She believes that building positive, trusting relationships is one of the most meaningful aspects of the high school experience.
board of directors
Judy Chin, Grant Compliance & Member at Large
Dianne Escalante, Grant Compliance & Member at Large
Jillian Evans, Fundraising
Jodi Feeney, Co-President & Treasurer
Geri Fox, Programming
Felicia Mathias, Member at Large
Nicole Maffeo, Community Partnerships
Sandee Molinsky, Clerk
Jennifer Quinn, Co-President
Mike Schaffstein, Technology
Elizabeth Zajac, NHS Liaison
News
We are still basking in the glory of being awarded a three-year $30,000 grant by Cummings Foundation in May 2024. NSU is one of 150 local nonprofits, out of 715 applicants, sharing in $30 million through Cummings Foundation’s major annual grant program.
This grant allows us to jump start our goal to expand our program by one additional mentee per grade, each of whom is guaranteed a four-year spot. The grant will cover the first three mentees and will also allow us to increase our mentor stipends, which will help us continue to attract and retain our wonderful NHS mentors
We Won!!!
