The new teachers at Southern Berkshire were officially inducted into the District on Thursday, August 26, 2010, in the Mount Everett library. The purpose of the induction is to give beginning and incoming teachers an opportunity to learn key information about the District and its schools before they hit the road running. They were warmly welcomed by David Hastings, Curriculum and Professional Development Administrator, and Dr. Michael Singleton, Superintendent of Schools. Glenn Devoti and Pam Kenyon, principals, were on hand to greet them as well and also to share their unique perspectives about the upcoming year. The next day and one half were spent in workshops listening to veteran staff present information about the nuances and policies of the District. On Friday the new teachers met and lunched with their trained mentors and were able to spend the afternoon working together in their classrooms. The District is privileged to have engaged such an enthusiastic and talented group of teachers. If you have not yet met them, please take the time to do so. You will be glad you did!
2010 - 2011 New Teachers
Jaimi-Lyn Beaty has been appointed to teach 1st grade at New Marlborough Central School. Miss Beaty is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University, having earned both a Bachelor of Science in Elementary/Special Education and a Masters in Education there. Before coming to Southern Berkshire, Ms. Beaty has taught grades 3 through 6 special education, and served as a gifted education/enrichment specialist for K-5th grade students. Ms. Beaty also served as a long-term substitute for the multi-aged grades 1 & 2 class at New Marlborough Central last year.
Michael Brady has been appointed to fill in for Mt. Everett Biology Teacher Cassie Uricchio, who will be away for 2010-11 completing work on her doctoral degree. Mike earned his BA at SUNY Albany, and his MS in Education from SUNY Cortland. He has served as a biology and science teacher in New York City, and recently has traveled extensively throughout the world while working as a home tutor and alternative program teacher in the Dover Plains area.
Katherine Gingras has been appointed as grades 7-8 math teacher for 2010-11. Ms. Gingras earned her Bachelor of Arts at Western New England College and her Masters of Education at Springfield College. She has taught math in the Windsor (CT) Public Schools and in the Hatfield (MA) Public Schools. She holds MA licensure in Middle School Mathematics, and she is also licensed as a School Guidance Counselor.
Stephanie Graham has been hired to serve as grades 9-12 Art Teacher. Ms. Graham's previous experience includes service as an art teacher, K-6 and 7-12, in the Wappingers Central School District in Wappingers Falls, NY. While at Wappingers Central, she also served as the varsity girls' soccer coach. Additionall, Ms. Graham worked as an Art Teacher for the after-school program of the Fishkill Recreation Department. Volunteer activities include serving as a volunteer program leader for the Discovery Room Program at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, and as a park tender for the Riverside Park Fund, New York, NY.
Jenni Hill has been appointed as the Response to Intervention Teacher in the District’s elementary schools. Ms. Hill received her Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY, Albany, and her Master of Education degree from Lesley University. She has previously taught at Indian Mountain School in CT and at Kildonan Elementary School in Amenia, NY, and has other experience working with children at the Maplebrook School in Amenia, NY and at Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA. Ms. Hill holds MA certification in elementary education.
Elizabeth Kuzmech will teach grades 7-8 special education math in 2010-11. Ms. Kuzmech received her Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Mount Holyoke College and her Master of Science Degree in Special Education from Southern Connecticut State University. She comes to our District with significant experience, having taught at the Ben Bronz Academy in West Hartford, CT; Cheshire High School and Dodd Middle School in Cheshire, CT; at Farmington River in Sandisfield, MA; and at Monument Mountain,in Great Barrington, MA.
Pierre Leger will teach grades 7-12 French at Mt. Everett. Pierre is a native of France who earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Hospitality Management from Institut Paul Bocuse. He has worked at Canyon Ranch and Blantyre, and operated Á Table, a tableware boutique, in Lenox. Having decided on a career change, Pierre obtained MA certification in French, PreK-6 and 7-12, and he has taught at the Academy at Swift River, and he has lead workshops in "French Through Cuisine" for adults and for students at Lenox Memorial High School.
Karen Lehtinen will teach grades 7-8 special education English/language arts. Ms. Lehtinen comes to the District following a three-year experience in Billerica, MA, where she taught special education classes in grades 7 and 8. She also served as a paraprofessional and substitute in the Central Berkshire Regional School District for several years prior to moving to Billerica. Ms. Lehtinen received her Bachelors degree in Education from Westfield State College, and she holds MA certification in Moderate Disabilities, PreK-8.
William Looney will serve as the elementary language lab teacher in 2010-11. Mr. Looney is a graduate of SUNY Albany, with a BA in sociology, and he earned a MA in Education from MA College of Liberal Arts. He comes to the District with a vast array of experience, having previously taught at Hillcrest Educational Center and in the Hudson, South Glenns Falls, and Schenectady, NY school districts. Bill is currently pursuing a Masters degree and administrative certification through LeMoyme College in Syracuse, NY.
Thomas Masters will teach grades 3 and 4 at New Marlborough Central School in 2010-11. Mr. Masters comes to the District from the Kolburne School, where he has served as a Vocational Coordinator. He has also worked as a Clinical Professor of Education at Pace University and taught at Manhattan School For Children and at PS 144 in New York City. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY Genesco, and a Masters of Science in Special Education at the City University of New York at City College. Tom holds MA certification in Elementary Education (1-6) and in Moderate Disabilities (PreK-8).
Michael Naventi will teach 5th grade at Undermountain Elementary School. Mike earned a Bachelors of Arts degree in Legal Studies at the University of Massachusetts, and completed additional graduate work to meet the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requirements for licensure. He is currently enrolled in a Masters program through the American International College. His experience includes teaching assignments at the Eagleton School, Hillcrest Educational Center, the Kolburne School, and Monument Valley Middle School.
Nina Phalen has been appointed to teach grades 9-10 math at Mt. Everett. Nina received her undergraduate degree from in Mathematics Education from Anna Maria College and her Masters of Science in Mathematics from Central Connecticut State University. She holds MA certification in Math, 7-12. She has previously taught at Kolburne School in New Marlborough, and has served the Torrington, CT schools as a math teacher at several different levels.
Jennifer Preis has been appointed to the Speech/Language Therapist position for 2010-11. Ms. Preis earned both her Bachelor of Art and her Master of Science degrees in speech-language pathology from Loyola College in Baltimore, MD. She has held teaching assignments in Aberdeen and Baltimore, MD, and worked as a speech pathologist at the Baltimore Speech and Hearing Clinic and at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Ms. Preis also served the Southern Berkshire Regional School District as a long-term substitute on two occasions last year, first at New Marlborough Central School in the kindergarten classroom, and later in the year as the speech/language therapist in the elementary grades.
Senta Reis has been appointed as the Middle/High School Language Lab Teacher. Ms. Reis's experience includes teaching assignments at the Rudolph Steiner School and at Valleyhead School. Additionally, she is a long-time workshop leader and teacher for the Community Access to the Arts in Great Barrington, providing artistic experiences to a wide range of "variously-abled" people, and she is a certified yoga instructor. Ms. Reis received her Bachelor of Arts from Bard College at Simon’s Rock, completed further undergraduate studies in fine art at Adelphi University, and earned her Masters Degree in Education, with a Curriculum & Instruction specialization from Lesley University. She holds MA certification in Special Needs, 5-12.
Jessica Tomich has been appointed to teach physical education at Mt. Everett (part-time). She is a recent graduate of Westfield State College, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Movement Science. While at Westfield, Jessie was a Dean's List student at Westfield, where she also served as the captain of the women's varsity soccer team. She holds MA certification in Physical Education, grades 5-12.
Lynn Webster will teach Early K/K at the Monterey School. Lynn is an experienced teacher, who holds MA certification in PK-3rd grade. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree at Dartmouth College in Studio Art, and her Masters of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College in Boston. Lynn’s experience includes having taught 1st grade at the Seven Hills Charter School in Worcester and service as the Lead PreK teacher at Martha’s Vineyard Community Services in Oak Bluffs, MA. Lynn and her family have recently relocated from Martha's Vineyard and intend to pursue a small farming venture in this area.
