Barre Town Middle and Elementary School New Staff for 2010-2011

>>09-10 New Staff bios
Jennifer Bessery Jennifer Bessery – Gr. K Teacher
Jennifer graduated from UVM with a Bachelor's degree in elementary education. Jennifer has come to us from Saint Mary’s Catholic Elementary School in Middlebury, VT where she was an assistant teacher in a Preschool classroom. Prior to that she was an Extended Program Director at Saint Mary’s School. This was an after-school program with activities such as play and planned projects. Prior to her Saint Mary’s Catholic School experience, she was a student teacher in a first grade classroom at the Orchard Elementary School in South Burlington, VT and a student teacher intern in a third grade classroom at the J. J. Flynn Elementary School in Burlington.
Melissa Lindheim Melissa Lindheim – SLP
Melissa is a Barre Town parent and a new addition to our Team I staff. She comes to us from Northfield where she worked with students 3 years old-5th grade. Melissa received her Master’s degree from Ithaca College in New York. Since then she has been serving children in public and private schools, preschool programs, homes, hospitals, and clinics. She believes that each individual is truly unique and different and creative approaches are needed for them to achieve their highest potential. Melissa comes to us highly recommended.
Staci McDougall

Staci McDougall –Special Educator for Intensive Needs Program
We are so excited to have Staci on our special services team. She worked this summer in our ESY program getting to know staff and students as well as reorganizing and implementing a classroom setting for our most intensive needs students. Staci earned her Bachelors degree from Johnson State College and completed her special education endorsement this May. She served as the intensive needs teacher at the State Street School in Windsor serving students K-12. Staci describes herself as an unstoppable teacher-able to teach any student (regardless of their strengths or preferences). Staci lives in South Royalton with her husband and 4 children.

Shannon Redmond Shannon Redmond –Special Educator Team I
Shannon joins our special services. For the past few years she has been teaching in Burlington and before that resided in Florida where she was a kindergarten and second grade classroom teacher. Shannon received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary and Special Education from Lyndon State College. She feels strongly relationships between teacher and families is crucial to student success and works hard to maintain positive and effective communication as a team player and a strong collaborator. We’re thrilled to have on our team.
Leah Starr-Finch Leah Starr-Finch – Grade 4 Teacher
Leah graduated from UVM with a Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education. Last year she was a Gr. 5 teacher at the Chamberlin School in South Burlington. Prior to that she was a Gr. 4 teacher in the Loudon Elementary School in Loudon, NH. She student taught in a first grade classroom at the John F. Kennedy Elementary in Winooski, Vermont.
Kristen Whitman –Special Educator Team I
Kristen comes to us from Brooklyn, New York where she taught for the past 3 years in an inclusive 3rd grade classroom. She earned her Master's Degree from the Bank Street College of Education in New York City. Kristen developed a Friendship Club and Moving Math program. She describes herself as a self-motivated and hard working teacher, committed to the success of each and every student. Kristen comes to us highly recommended by administrators and colleagues. She and her husband moved to Vermont this summer.