Chatham Elementary School - Monomoy Regional School District

Chatham Elementary School
Staff Biography
Julia Mattson
Kindergarten Teacher
Educational Background: I grew up on Cape Cod in Orleans where I attended Nauset School System. I attended the
University of Maine in Orono and received a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Relations with a
concentration in Early Childhood Education along with a Masters in Special Education. I began working at Harwich
Elementary School as an instructional assistant in Kindergarten and as a long term sub in Grade 1. These experiences have
prepared me for a classroom of my own and could not be happier than I am teaching Kindergarten at Chatham Elementary.
The best part about being part of a learning community: I enjoy the relationships that you build with students,
families, and staff throughout the year.
Laura Weatherup
Speech/Language Pathologist
I was born and raised in Springfield, Mass. I graduated from Classical High School in Springfield, received my Bachelor of
Science degree in Biology and Psychology from Westfield State College and my Master of Science degree in
Speech/Language Pathology from the Sargent College of Allied Health Professions at Boston University. I moved to
Eastham in 1993 and still live there with my husband, 2 teenage boys, a dog and 3 birds. I worked at the May Center in
Chatham, Cape Cod Collaborative, Barnstable Public Schools and Orleans Elementary School prior to coming to work at
Harwich Elementary School in 2009.
This year, I look forward to sharing my time between Harwich and Chatham Elementary Schools. I love working with young
children in preschool and the elementary grades. There is nothing more satisfying than watching a young child who could
not communicate their most basic wants and needs, learn to communicate and play with their friends.
Lenore Chieffo
Kindergarten Teacher
I grew up in Belleville, New Jersey and raised my three children in Nutley, New Jersey. I graduated from William Paterson
University in New Jersey with a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education. I earned a Master of Arts in Special
Education at Montclair State University in New Jersey. I had a wonderful career as an elementary school teacher for the
Nutley School District in New Jersey for the past fourteen years and absolutely loved being a first grade teacher for the past
twelve of those years. I recently relocated to Massachusetts and am grateful to have become a part of the dedicated and
warm learning community at Chatham Elementary School.
I believe in the power of education to enhance our lives. The bonds I form with my students and their families humble and
inspire me to be the teacher I always aspire to be.
Jaclyn Melodye Bicknell
Grade Four Teacher
My educational background started right here at Chatham Elementary School. Some of my old teachers were Mrs. Koch, Ms.
Beattie, Mrs. Roy and Mr. Quinn. I graduated Chatham High School in 2003 after completing my internship in Mrs.
Jenning’s room. During that internship, my passion for wanting to become a teacher grew and off I went to Keene State
College in New Hampshire to pursue a career in Education. I graduated with two Bachelor’s degrees, one in Education and
one in General Science. I love science, especially Geology. I began my teaching career at Harwich Middle School in 6 th grade
teaching Science and English and then onto Monomoy Middle School when we regionalized. This summer I completed my
Master’s degree in Elementary Education through American International College and I look forward to displaying the tools
I have acquired in my new 4th grade classroom at Chatham Elementary.
I like to watch my students make sense of problem solving and join them in their journey to solve them.
Faith Caswell
Administrative Assistant
I graduated from Chatham High School and went on to graduate from Katherine Gibbs School in Boston. I have lived in
Chatham most of my life and raised my children in Chatham.
I love working in the office at Chatham Elementary School. We are all here to work together to teach and learn from the
children.
Betsy Casey
Administrative Assistant
I grew up in Walpole, Massachusetts and graduated from Colby College in Waterville, ME with a degree in Biology. I worked
in the pharmaceutical industry for 12 years and then was fortunate to be a stay-at-home mom with my three children for
several years. I recently moved from Wisconsin (where my husband is from) to Cape Cod to be near my family. I am an
active volunteer in the community and am thrilled to be working in the office at Chatham Elementary.
I enjoy the daily interaction with the amazing staff, students and parents. I love people and I am a 'student of life'. My goal is
to to always be learning and challenging myself.
Eileen Ahern, MS, CAGS, BCBA
Team Chair/School Psychologist
Educational background:
I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Eastern Connecticut State University, a Master of Science and Certificate of
Advanced Graduate Study in School Psychology from Northeastern University, and a Certificate of Completion in Applied
Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology. In addition to holding a license in School Psychology from the MA
DESE, I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. I have worked as a School Psychologist in MA, CT, and NH.
One of the best parts of being a school psychologist is helping children and their families understand why their child is
having a difficult time learning, and recommending strategies to make learning easier and fun.
Dawn King
Kindergarten Teacher
I have spent all but three years of my life on Cape Cod and attended school in Dennis. I received my degree from
Bridgewater State College. My first job was working for Head Start over 30 years ago. I have spent the past 25 years in
kindergarten in Harwich. My first four years were off session care when kindergarten was half day. This year will be my
22nd year teaching full day kindergarten. I am an endorsed TOOLS of the Mind teacher and beginning my sixth year with
the TOOLS program.
What is one of the best aspects of being part of a learning community? I grew up loving school and playing teacher! I have
always wanted to be the kind of teacher that sparks that love of learning in young children. I enjoy having fun doing so! I
love that I learn not only with the children but from the children. They also keep me young at heart!
Alexandra Blazey
Grade Four Teacher
I received my BFA from the Boston Conservatory where I studied musical theatre and spent the next two years living in New
York City. I missed Boston so I moved back and I earned my Masters Degree in Elementary Education from Northeastern
University. While studying education I worked in various roles at several of the Brookline Elementary Schools and I am
thrilled to finally have a classroom of my own!
In my opinion, one of the best aspects of being part of a learning community is watching a student discover that they have
the ability to do something that they initially believed they could not.
Sandie Ziobro
Grade Four Teacher
I received my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology in 2001 from Ithaca College. After working in Pharmaceutical Sales for five
years, I decided to go back to school in order to receive my M.Ed. in Elementary Teaching. This is my sixth year teaching
4th grade and I love it!
The best aspect of being a part of a learning community is the fact that I am always learning and I am never alone!
Collaborating with colleagues is the best way to see a new and maybe different way to implement lessons into my classroom
as well as new ways to interpret learning concepts. Having these discussions always leaves me motivated to go back into my
classroom and see it in a different way.
Sandy Hanson
Grade One Teacher
Chatham High School
University of Massachusetts Amherst-Bachelors Degree-Education
Graduate School: Lesley University-Master’s Degree Technology in Education
My favorite part of the day is sunrise. Each new day is different and it is never as I expect. This is one of the many reasons I
enjoy teaching.
Sue Linnell
Special Education Teaching Assistant
This is my fourth year at Chatham Elementary. I grew up in Acton, MA and graduated from Acton-Boxboro Regional High
School. One interesting thing about me is that I work in Kindergarten now and I never went when I was younger (it wasn't
required)! I went to Bates College in Maine for my undergraduate degree in Psychology and to Lesley College in Cambridge
for my Masters in Early Childhood Education. I am full of life experiences that relate to teaching. The most important gifts I
have gotten from all those experiences are humor and patience.
I love being surrounded by individuals who care so deeply about learning. I have always been a lifelong learner and hope to
continue learning for a long (really long) time.
Melissa Owen
Kindergarten Teaching Assistant
Attended Barnstable High School
Graduated from Wheelock College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education
One of the best aspects of being part of a learning community is sharing ideas and learning new teaching strategies.
Stefanie Speakman
Kindergarten Teaching Assistant
I graduated from D-Y High School, I graduated from Cape Cod Community College
I have been working for the Monomoy District for 8 years
Within the kindergarten community student growth is observable on a daily basis. It is a formative stage where children
experience the joy of learning and develop the skills needed to progress further. I enjoy being part of this learning
community because I have a front row seat where I am able to witness the children's excitement for learning.
Barbara Gula
Grade Three Teacher
I grew up on the south shore and fell in love with Cape Cod after spending many summer afternoons sailing on Buzzards
Bay. After graduating from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with my degree in Elementary Education, I pursued
a teaching job on Cape Cod. I was hired in Mashpee and taught Title One reading and math for a year and third grade for 9
years. During this time I received my Master’s of Education in Reading from Bridgewater State College. I left Mashpee to
have my first son, Jared. Two years later my second son, Tyler, was born. Eight years ago I returned to teaching and was
hired as a reading tutor at Chatham Elementary School. The following year a third grade position opened up and I was very
fortunate to have been chosen for that position. This is my seventh year in third grade at Chatham Elementary and I am so
grateful to be teaching in such a warm and supportive community.
One of the best aspects of being part of a learning community is sharing ideas and learning from one another. I love when
my students discover different ways to solve problems and explore different points of view and can expand their learning
through them.
Margaret Turco
Grade Two Teacher
I graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Boston with a degree in Early Childhood, concentrating in English. I’ve
been teaching in Chatham for 12 years and teaching elementary school for 20 years. I’ve taught Title One reading and math,
kindergarten, first, second, and fourth grades in the elementary school setting. Prior to teaching in elementary schools I
taught preschool.
One of my favorite parts of teaching is being able to see the world from all the different perspectives of my students.
Ann Barnard
Grade Two Teacher
Bachelor of Liberal Studies, Sacramento State University and Masters of Education from Cambridge College
I love watching children discuss ideas and learn from each other.
Teena Flynn
Special Education Teacher
I was first hired at Chatham Elementary School in January of 2001, after not working for a few years while I raised my
family. Currently, I am a special education teacher working with students in Grades K – 4. I grew up in the town of
Westford, MA and moved to Cape Cod when I was 14 years old. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Special Education from
Salve Regina University, and have taken graduate courses at Notre Dame College, University of New Hampshire, Salem
State College, Fitchburg State College and Bridgewater State College. I have two daughters, ages 19 and 22. I love the
summer, reading, and my family.
Brandi Frommeyer
Grade One Teacher
Chatham High School, 1991, University of Rhode Island, 1995 B.A., Bridgewater State College, 1997 Post-baccalaureate
*Certifications: Early Childhood Ed. with and without disabilities (N-3) and Communication and Performing Arts (K-12)
Cambridge College, 2014 M.A. Elementary Ed.
What I like about being a part of a learning community is being able to see learning taking place in so many different forms.
For me, I’ve always learned best through music.
Mary Beth Maloney, RN, MA
Nurse
My career journey has thankfully led me to working with young children. I am pleased that it has brought me both Chatham
Elementary School and to living on Cape Cod. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from UMass Amherst. After getting my
Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Assumption College, I have enjoyed my career in the mental health field. I
have been a nurse for ten years continuing in mental health and doing home care.
My wish to work with children brought me to school nursing, where I am happy to come to work each day.
Barbara McGuire
Grade Three Teacher
I love my job as a third grade teacher, and that’s why I have been teaching for so many years. I grew up in a suburb of Boston,
went to college in Boston, and began my teaching career in Weymouth. I spent every summer in Chatham and knew that one
day I would live here year round! After having 3 children, my husband and I decided that Cape Cod was the perfect place to
raise our family.
So, here she is, still doing what she loves. The enthusiasm and happy faces of her third graders is something that never gets
old!
Jennifer Jennings
Preschool Teacher
I joined Chatham Elementary School in 2002. I worked in Barnstable Public School Preschool program for eight years. Since
coming to Chatham Elementary School I have served on the Early Childhood Committee. I graduated from University of
Massachusetts Dartmouth with an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Sociology. I received my Master’s in Education
from the Fitchburg State University in 1994. After finishing my Master’s Degree I have taken numerous teaching graduate
level classes because I am a lifelong learner.
Janice Campbell-Schofield
Grade One Teacher
I have a Bachelor’s in Science from Salem State University and a Master’s in Education from Cambridge College.
This year makes 30 years teaching in Chatham. I have taught grades 1-4 with 26 years in first grade.
My hobby is working with animals. I have 5 goats in my backyard.
Helen Finn
Reading Specialist
Immaculate Conception School Stony Point, NY, North Rockland High School, Thiells, NY, The Berkeley Secretarial School
Ridgewood, NJ, St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY,Cum Laude, Alpha Chi, Kappa Delta Pi, B.S. Elementary
Education/Special Education, The City College New York, of the City University of New York, New York, NY, Magna Cum
Laude, M.ED Developmental and Remedial Reading
My “ah-ha moment” on the face of learners is when learning just happens!
Jill Malinowski
Guidance Counselor
K-4 Plains School (South Hadley, MA), 5th grade Mosier School (South Hadley, MA), 6th-8th South Hadley Intermediate
(South Hadley, MA), 9th -12th South Hadley High School (South Hadley, MA), Elms College, BA, Elementary Education
(Chicopee, MA), DePaul University, M.Ed., Human Services and Counseling (Chicago, IL) and American International
College, CAGS, School Psychology (Springfield, MA)
One of the best aspects of being part of a learning community for me is being able to work collaboratively on examining and
developing curriculum in order to close the skill gaps between one unit and/or level and the next while insuring that subject
matter taught/learned is both meaningful and measurable.
Amanda Julin
Grade Two Teacher
I live in Harwich Port, MA with my 2 year old daughter Chloe. I am a graduate of Harwich High School. I received by B.A.
in Education and Psychology from Endicott College in Beverly, MA. I have a Master’s in Education for Reading from
Bridgewater State University. I hold certification in Early Childhood Education for grades Pre-k through third grade. I also
have certification as a reading specialist, all grades.
My favorite thing about teaching in Chatham is being able to see my former students grow and mature throughout the years.
Teachers plant seeds of knowledge that grow forever.
Faith Rushnak
Special Education Teaching Assistant
Attended (at the time) largest high school in the country of 5,000 - Brockton High School. Graduated with 1,000+ other
students, Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Minor in English from University of New Hampshire, Master of Science
in Communications Management from Simmons College
Worked for 20 years at United Way in Boston in the field of Development, Public Relations, Marketing, raising $14 million
annually. Trained hundreds on art of fundraising and public speaking. Then worked another 7 years locally with nonprofits
in Hyannis until my "retirement" so that I could raise my children.Began second career in 1998 when I started subbing in
Chatham Schools once my children entered school. Full-time Instructional Assistant since 1999 and am pursuing teaching
certification in Elem. Ed and Moderate Special Needs.
Working together with colleagues to help a student learn, especially when that learning is most challenging. Turning
frustration into smiles!
Joan Richardson
Speech and Language Pathologist
I have been a speech and language pathologist for over 20 years. I have provided speech-language services in a variety of
settings. I hold a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (national
association), a state license from the Massachusetts State Board of Registration, as well as a license in
speech/Language/Hearing Disorder (All Levels) and a license in Reading (All Levels) from the Department of Elementary
and Secondary Education (DESE). I work in grades three through seven.
When not advocating for students and teachers, she can usually be found spending time with family, friends or at the gym.
Elaine M. Griffith
Librarian and Computer Teacher
I am native Cape Codder, I graduated from Barnstable High School, attended Boston College and earned a Bachelor of Arts
in Mathematics, and later attended Lesley University and earned a Masters in Education, Elementary Education. I am
teaching Computer and Library classes this year and hope to combine the two classes in some lessons.
I have three grown children and two grandchildren who I care for. I live in Cotuit and enjoy walks, biking, the beach and
travelling.
Robin A. Millen
Principal
I am a proud graduate of Chatham High School. For my undergraduate work, I received a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree
in Business and Political Science. After working in the business world for several years, I returned to the East Coast, and I
went back to school to obtain my Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Education (grades K-6).
In 2014, I received my Certificate of Graduate Studies (C.A.G.S) in Educational Leadership and continued on to receive my
Doctorate in Education and Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) in 2015. The focus of my research and dissertation was on
innovative, educational practices and differentiated instruction.
The best part of being part of a successful, educational community is that all members recognize learning is active,
learning is creative, and learning is continually changing. Members of a successful learning community are also
cognizant that when a person learns, this learning causes change in something or someone else. I believe everyone of us
learns for, with, and from others, and that all learners are responsible to use this knowledge to create, to consider, to
make decisions, and to turn around and teach another.
Kristen Smith
Gym Teacher
I live in Harwich with my husband and two 4th grade children. We moved to the Cape two years ago from Millis, MA, which
is a small town outside of Boston. I went to Connecticut College, where I earned both my Bachelor’s Degree and my Master’
s Degree, and played soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. We love living on Cape Cod, and enjoy spending time together as a
family. We enjoy boating and fishing, swimming in the ocean, exploring the beaches, and walking our dog. There are so
many activities here on the Cape – what a beautiful place to live!
I love teaching Physical Education at Chatham Elementary School, and could not be happier to spend my day with
wonderful, energetic, and enthusiastic children who come to class with a smile on their faces! I look forward to an active,
fun, and rewarding year for both myself and the students!
Debra Greig
Preschool Teaching Assistant
La Salle University, Philadelphia, PA, BA Special Education K-12
The positive attitude you bring to work can transfer to success for you students.
Chris Roberts
Music Teacher
I was born in Wales, UK and did my undergraduate degree in London University. I started my teaching career at my former
high school in 1978 and became department head in 1982 and senior teacher in 1986. I also hold a Master of Music Degree
from UMass, and a C.A.G.S. from Boston University. I moved to the US in 1992 and taught at Nauset Middle School until
1995. I then moved to Chatham Schools and have been here since 1995, teaching both middle and high school music. This
year is number 38 in my teaching career.