HUNTINGTON – Please join the Gateway staff and administrators in welcoming new employees for the 2013-14 school year!
In alphabetical order, they are: Steven Andrews, Susan Arquotte, Susan Borsella, Michelle Burke, Debbie Burkott, Kent Brenneck, Abigail Donah, Tessa Donoghue, Michael Forand, Amy Fouracre, Elizabeth Hamaoui, Cindy Heroux, Emily MacDonald, Bram Moreinis, Raymond Paquette, Deborah Rossman, Asher Rotenberg, Anthony Sabonis, Patti Smith Niemiec and Kristina Schultze.
Steven Andrews will teach special education in the high school. Before coming to Gateway, he taught for ten years at Chestnut Middle School in Springfield and three years at Tri-County School in Easthampton. His interests include playing guitar and skiing. He has a master’s degree in special education and enjoys helping his students achieve grade level work.
Susan Arkoette is a Gateway alumna returning to work as a paraprofessional in Chester Elementary School’s Preschool. She is currently working toward her associate degree at Holyoke Community College and served Gateway as a long-term substitute last year. She has also worked for a number of years for the Huntington Recreation Committee’s summer program. Susan is delighted to be an official part of the Gateway family!
Susan Borsella holds a B.A. in mathematics from SUNY Stonybrook and an M.S. in actuarial math from Ball State University. She worked as an Associate Actuary for 15 years at Towers Perrin and Mass Mutual, before joining the teaching staff at Putnam Vocational Academy in Springfield. A resident of Chester, Susan is looking forward to teaching in her own community, as she joins the mathematics teaching department at the high school.
Michelle Burke (who joined the faculty last spring) will be an 8th grade special education teacher. She is a graduate of UMASS/Amherst where she earned a B.S. in speech pathology/audiology and a M.A. in education. She is a veteran teacher, trained in Orton Gillingham & Lindamood-Bell reading approaches. “I am looking forward to an exciting year and starting a ‘Battle of the Books’,” Burke reported.
Debbie Burkott is Gateway’s new Transportation Coordinator, replacing Carol Pellerin who retired in June. She has worked in the transportation industry for 27 years with previous responsibilities for routing and dispatching. Debbie’s office is located in the district Central Office at the Gateway complex. She can be reached by calling 685-1016.
Kent Brenneck brings a background in construction, historic restoration, custom furniture and cabinetry to the teaching profession. He holds a bachelor’s degree in American Civilization from Brown University and M.Ed. in elementary and early childhood education from Antioch University New England. He previously taught at the Jackson Street School in Northampton and the Odyssey School in Denver, CO. He looks forward to “being in the hilltowns and working with some wonderfully supportive colleagues.” Kent will teach 3rd Grade at Littleville Elementary School.
Abigail Donah will teach Kindergarten at Littleville Elementary School. This is her 8th year teaching: she taught Kindergarten for four years, 1st and 2nd grade for 2 years, and taught 1st grade for one year. She looks forward to teaching in a small school. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education and psychology and a Master’s degree in education.
Tessa Donoghue is a long-term substitute teacher in 8th grade, teaching English Language Arts. She earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in English at Westfield State University. Her prior experience includes working as a long-term substitute at Westfield North Middle School and as a part-time Music Teacher and substitute for Granby Public Schools. She has also coached track and field at Holyoke High School, Westfield State University and Connecticut College.
Michael Forand will join the high school faculty this year as a mathematics teacher. Michael attended the Golf Academy of the Carolinas, where he obtained an Associate Degree in small business management; he then earned a Bachelor of Science degree in applied mathematics at Coastal Carolina University. He holds a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree from Empire State College. Michael is very much looking forward to teaching high school again, after a period of teaching middle school.
Amy Fouracre is the new Assistant Principal for Chester Elementary, Littleville Elementary and Gateway Regional Middle Schools. She earned a Ph.D. in adult learning, leadership and program evaluation from Lesley University. She also holds a M.Ed. in elementary education from Anna Maria College and a B.A. in sociology from Moravian College. Her prior experience includes being a Responsive Classroom Professional Development Facilitator in Turners Falls; a School Designer for Expeditionary Learning; a Grade 5 Teacher; and as a Special Education Assistant Teacher. “I am excited about Gateway’s beautiful environment and inviting faculty and staff,” Fouracre said. “Everyone has been very friendly and helpful. I’m eager to get to know the students and their families.”
Elizabeth Hamaoui will teach third grade at Littleville Elementary School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in special education. Her prior experience includes serving as a special education paraprofessional in the Chicopee Public Schools and as a substitute teacher in the Berkshires.
Cindy Heroux will work as a paraprofessional at Chester Elementary School. She has been subbing for Gateway for the past few years, and was a long-term substitute paraprofessional last year at Littleville. She was a licensed home day care provider for 8 years prior to working in schools. Cindy has a student at Gateway High School and one who graduated last June.
Emily MacDonald is the new Life Skills Teacher in the high school. Emily holds a master’s degree in intensive special needs and comes to Gateway after teaching for 12 years in Agawam, Avon (CT) and at the Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative. This is also a homecoming for Emily, who graduated from Gateway Regional High School.
Bram Moreinis has been hired as Gateway’s new Technology Director. His educational background includes a B.A. in English Literature from Columbia College, an M.A. in teaching and M.Ed. in educational administration, both from Columbia Teachers College. Prior positions include Director of Technology (4 years), Integration Specialist/Technology Coordinator (4 years), Computer Teacher (4 years), and English Teacher (3 years). Bram has already formed a number of exciting visions for Gateway, including “collaborating with whoever is game to create effective and exciting 21st Century learning experiences in this wonderful place.”
Raymond Paquette joins the high school mathematics department as a teacher. He taught mathematics previously at the High School of Commerce and Central High School in Springfield. Formerly a west coaster, Raymond worked at the Aseltine School in San Diego, CA where he wore many hats. He has a B.A. from UMASS/Amherst and an M.Ed. from Fitchburg State University. He looks forward to working in a smaller, rural school and describes himself as, “Nothing if not approachable. Don’t hesitate to talk with me. I look forward to meeting all of the staff and students.”
Deborah Rossman has a bachelor’s degree from MCLA and a master’s degree from Lesley University. She will develop and teach engineering/technology courses at the Middle School, Jr. High and Sr. High. She has 15 years’ experience, having taught a range of science courses (Applied Physics, Engineering/Technology, Applied Biology/Chemistry, Energy Science and Anatomy & Physiology) at vocational technical schools in Massachusetts and related science courses at small, rural secondary schools in Vermont.
Asher Rotenberg will teach sixth grade at Gateway Regional Middle School. In addition to teaching at Lee Elementary School—where he was a fifth grade Title I teacher—he also taught for three years in Mito, Japan. He has a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and completed his teaching licensure requirements at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Asher looks forward to “getting to know a new group of students and exploring the world together.”
Anthony Sabonis is the new Assistant Principal at Gateway Jr. and Sr. High Schools. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in business administration at American International College and a Master’s of Education Degree in organizational management at Endicott College. His prior teaching experience includes 3 years at St. Mary’s High School and 7 years at Franklin County Technical School, teaching business education courses at both schools. He became an Assistant Principal with the Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative two years ago. His background also includes 10 years of coaching basketball and soccer for his previous schools and for Holyoke Community College. “I look forward to joining the GRSD school community and working with students, faculty and staff to build a strong school culture,” Sabonis said.
Patti Smith Niemiec will be a familiar face for many in the Gateway family. She has been actively involved in Gateway schools since her children began attending some years ago. She has been a member of the Chester Elementary School PTO and serves as its Acting Treasurer. She has also subbed in many capacities throughout the district, including in the kitchen, as a school secretary, and in classrooms. Patti is our new Bookkeeper/Cashier in the Gateway cafeteria and reports that she is, “Happy to be part of a wonderful staff and working in Food Services!”
Kristina Schultze joins the Middle School faculty as a 5th grade teacher. She holds a B.A. degree in liberal arts and elementary education. She has worked as a substitute teacher in many grades for Westfield Public Schools. Kristina is a Gateway graduate who is happy to be back. “It feels great to be back in a school that I know so well and working with teachers that I had as a child,” she said. She looks forward to “working with a wonderful team and really focusing on the students and their achievement.”
These employees take the place of staff members who have retired, left the district, or who are out on sabbatical or leave of absence. (No new staff positions were created in the 2013-14 budget).
