The 2017-2018 school year begins Monday, August 28 for Gateway’s staff and Wednesday, August 30 for our students. Despite the school year ending early, the summer still seems to have passed very quickly, in part due to not having an approved budget. Despite this, the DESE has established an ongoing budget and we are prepared for the return of our staff and students. Due to a number of retirements, as well as to staff moving into positions in other districts, we have a number of new staff that will start with us this year.
In Chester, as the Second Grade Teacher, we have Julie Blackmore joining us. Ms. Blackmore has a Bachelor’s of Education degree from Westfield State University and is pursuing graduate work there as a reading specialist. She comes to us after teaching at the elementary level in the Springfield Public Schools.
Chester also has a new Special Education Teacher, April Prior. Ms. Prior has a Bachelor’s in Education from Butler University, and a Master’s in Education from Southern Connecticut State University. She comes to us with much experience in special education with her latest experience in the Springfield Public Schools.
At the elementary level we welcome Darlene Rehor as our new Assistant Principal. Ms. Rehor has an advanced certificate in administration from the Massachusetts Elementary Principals’ Association, a Master of Education from American International College, and a Bachelor of Arts from Western State College. Ms. Rehor comes to us with teaching experience from both Agawam and Springfield Public Schools.
The middle school welcomes Alexandra Brearley in Social Studies. Ms. Brearley has a Bachelor in Arts (Political Science and History) as well as a Master’s in Education, both from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She also comes to us with teaching experience from the Marblehead Public Schools.
The high school will welcome two new special education teachers, Chris Tamburrino and Chad Warren. Mr. Tamburrino has Masters’ degrees from MCLA, Rutgers University, and Elms College and comes to us with much experience in special education from Berkshire County. Mr. Warren has a Bachelor of Arts from Saint Anshelm College and an Master’s of Education degree from Salem State College. Mr. Warren also has a wide range of experiences in special education from Wisconsin.
The high school also welcomes Taylor Simpson as an English Language Arts teacher. Ms. Simpson holds a Bachelor of Education from the College of Our Lady of the Elms and comes to us after working in the Ludlow Public Schools.
At the Middle and High School level we welcome Deanna LeBlanc as the new Assistant Principal for the two schools. Ms. LeBlanc has a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study from American International College, a Master of Education from Cambridge College, and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Rhode Island. She joins us with administrative experience at both the Pioneer Valley Regional School District and the Southern Berkshire Regional School District.
We are pleased to welcome all of our new staff to the district and hope to complete the hiring process for other positions as soon as possible. In any case we will be prepared and ready to welcome our students back to the 2017 – 2018 school year next week.
