Farmington River Regional School District News
Student Teachers SHINE in Kindergarten and First Grade!
Over the past school year, Kindergarten and first grade have had the pleasure of working with two student teachers from Westfield State University, Abigail Keenan and Samantha Brody. Both student teachers are completing their degree in Early Childhood Education.
Abigail Keenan with the First Grade Class, Photo: Meaghan Martin
We want to extend our sincere thanks for their dedication, enthusiasm and hard work that they have brought to our classroom during their student teaching experience. It has been a pleasure watching you grow as educators and seeing the positive impact you've had on our students.
Your thoughtful lesson planning, patience and ability to connect with the students have not gone unnoticed. You've shown a strong commitment to learning and improving, and it's clear that you care deeply about helping students succeed. The creativity and energy you brought to each day helped create a supportive and engaging learning environment.
Thank you for all the time and effort you invested. You’ve made a meaningful difference, and I’m confident that you have a bright future ahead in teaching. We wish both of you the best of luck as you continue on to graduate school. Abigail will be majoring in speech pathology, while Samantha will be majoring in special education.
It has been a pleasure working with you both and we wish you all the best as you take the next steps in your career.
With love, Ms. Maxton and the Kindergarten class, and Mrs. Martin and the first grade class.
Samantha Brody with the Kindergarten class, Photo: Susan Olds
Best Wishes to Ms. Maddie from the Fourth Grade!
Our fourth grade class will truly miss Miss Maddie, our amazing student teacher from Westfield State University. She has been a fantastic team teacher, always jumping in with enthusiasm, kindness and creative ideas that made learning fun and engaging. Not only was she a wonderful teammate to the whole staff, but she also made a lasting impact on each of us with her patience, positivity and dedication. We hope she has learned as much from us as we have learned from her! Miss Maddie, thank you for everything and best of luck in your future endeavors!
Maddie Pelak with the Fourth Grade Class and her mentor teacher, Bethany Mather, Photo: Bethany Mather
Early K says goodbye to Ms. Haley
We are so grateful for the time Ms. Haley spent with our Early K class! Ms. Haley joined us from Westfield State where she was working on a degree in Early Childhood Education. While we’re sad to see her go, we’re excited for all the wonderful things ahead in her teaching journey!
Haley Becotte with the Early Kindergarten class, Photo: Rebecca Hamill
Congrats to Caroline Stamm and Paige Jelliffe: Master’s Degree Graduates!
We are so incredibly proud of our colleagues, Caroline Stamm and Paige Jelliffe, who will both graduate this May with Master’s Degrees in Education. Caroline will be graduating from Mount Holyoke College with her Massachusetts teaching licenses in Visual Arts PK-8 and Theater K-12, while Paige will graduate from Westfield State University with her special education license, adding to her existing Massachusetts teaching license for grades 1-6.
Caroline Stamm (center) with her student teaching mentors Laura Catullo and Laurie Flower, Photo: Cecily Goulange
What makes their achievements even more impressive is their unwavering dedication. Both Caroline and Paige have managed the challenging balance of working full-time while also being full-time students, all while fulfilling their student teaching requirements. Caroline, in addition to her studies, has been an invaluable assistant to the superintendent and principal. Paige has made her mark as a paraprofessional and a long-term teaching substitute in sixth grade.
We are truly lucky to have such talented, hardworking and passionate educators as part of our team. Congratulations on this well-deserved achievement!
Paige Jelliffe (right) with her student teaching mentor Ellen Cotler, Photo: Caroline Stamm
