Lisa has been involved with gymnastics since she was young. In 1972, Lisa’s mother started the first Gymnastic Academy of Boston (G.A.B.) in the family’s backyard with just a few mats and a few area children who were eager to build their gymnastics skills. Word of the excellent training offered by G.A.B. quickly spread and before long, the family-run business had grown into a chain of gymnastic facilities in the greater Boston area. Lisa took all of her experience and branched out to start a new G.A.B. location here in Plainville in 2004. In 2014, the gym celebrated its tenth anniversary of serving area children and is proud to showcase its newly expanded space. 2014 also marks the introduction of its new name, All Around Gymnastic Academy, or A.A.G.A., which encompasses all of the gym’s exciting program offerings, including pre-enrichment classes, recreational classes, strong competitive girls and boy’s programs, parkour, tumbling, camps, clinics, birthday parties, and much, much more. Lisa says that the change to the A.A.G.A. name really reflects the gym’s commitment to serving the local community and to providing exceptional programs to serve children of all ages, all interests and all skill levels, both now and in the future.
Allen has been with the A.A.G.A. family as a staff member since January 2006. Beginning at age 7, Allen has been involved in gymnastics for the past 29 years and, aside from gymnastics, has an extensive background in Hip-Hop, Jazz and Ballet. His formal teaching career began at the University of Costa Rica where he taught English as a Second Language, helping to support his training as a competitive Latin Ballroom Dancer. Allen says, “The most rewarding thing about coaching here are the relationships I have formed with the students, staff and parents. I love watching the timid and uncoordinated leave each class a bit more extroverted and graceful and am proud to be a part of developing students’ characters and growing self-confidence.”
Paula has been part of the AAGA Family for the past 6 years primarily focused on the High School level
program. She comes to us with 18 years of experience coaching/directing JO, Xcel and High School
programs. She has been involved in sports her entire life and was a multi-sport athlete at the college
level. She built the Franklin Program from the ground up and in a short 6 years coached her team
through 2 Undefeated League Championships, 2 Hock Cup Championships, 3-time State Sectional
Qualifier, 1-time State Sectional Championship, and 1-time New England Championship. Her passion for
coaching her athletes realize the best version of themselves is a main driver in all that she does. Her
coaching goes “beyond the mat” and views the time she has with her athletes not only as an opportunity to teach them great gymnastics but also to be a positive role model in the athletes’ life. Paula balances her coaching with her Professional work life where she is the Vice President of Enterprise
Critical Vendor Management at Northern Trust. Paula has been married to her amazing husband Tedd
for 25 years and has 2 adult children; her son Camden (24) who lives in South Carolina and was a
graduate of University of SC. Her daughter Lexi (20) is a sophomore at The University of Tennessee at
Knoxville and is competing for their club gymnastics team.
Jess has been involved with the sport of gymnastics since she was 6 years old. She competed from the ages of 12 to 18 and remains an avid fan. By joining the A.A.G.A. family in May 2013, Jess found a way to stay involved in the sport she loves. In addition to gymnastics, Jess cheered for a year while attending Emmanuel College. Although she is still a part of the A.A.G.A. family, Jess spends most of the year attending Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law in Pennsylvania.
Personal Description: Teacher, coach cheerleader for all of the kids I have had the pleasure of working with over the years!
Emily grew up as a competitive gymnast and has been coaching for fifteen years. She was born and raised in a gym! She works part time at AAGA as preschool director and school age instructor and full time as a mom to two amazing kids.
Personal Description: I have been doing gymnastics for around 10 years and am currently on the Xcel platinum team, I always want to be in the gym flipping or helping to teach others how to!
Bella started gymnastics when I was 5 years old and hasn’t stopped since! She started coaching when I was 14 and has absolutely fallen in love with it. Bella goes to Franklin High School and is a captain of the high school gymnastics team. Some things she is involved in outside of work are being secretary for the Lions Heart community service group, she’s also the vice president of her schools Active Minds club, and she’s a part of her schools National Honors Society. She loves listening to music, reading, and of course, being around the kids!