November 7 and 8 are Parent – Teacher Conference days. Please check out the most recent edition of the WSESU Connection.

WSESU EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE LEAGUE

The WSESU Equity and Social Justice League is comprised of Teacher Leaders from each school. The district-wide league meets twice a month, and Teacher Leaders facilitate monthly staff meetings at their schools. Teacher Leaders also plan district-wide annual events, such as Black Lives Matter at School Week and Celebrate Diversity.

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Mikaela is in front of some greenery outdoors, smiling, with turquoise dangly earrings and short curly brown hair.

MIKAELA SIMMS (she/her) WSESU

Mikaela Simms has been working as WSESU Diversity Coordinator for over 10 years. She arrived in Vermont by way of the San Francisco Bay Area and Guinea West Africa; where She taught middle school with an emphasis on Social Justice. In her current role she emphasizes humanizing every situation and making connections across disciplines and other dividing lines. “Our job as educators is to be curious about every student and colleague. It is through deep inquiry that we learn about ourselves and the equitable world we wish build.”

Kristie is in front of colorful artwork, wearing a black shirt with wavy blond hair down past her shoulders.

HANNAH VAN LOON (she/her) Dummerston

Hannah is a Pre-K paraeducator at Dummerston.

Ana is smiling in front of strands of glowing lights. Her long, wavy, reddish brown hair is half pulled back. She is wearing a turquoise scarf and a white shirt.

ISAAC FREITAS-EAGAN (they/them) ACADEMY SCHOOL

Isaac is a third grade teacher at Academy School.

Molly is smiling in front of an off-white wall with red flags and colorful student artwork on it. Her short brown hair is swept to the side and she is wearing glasses. She is wearing a striped white shirt with a green button down over it.

MOLLY SAUVAIN (she/her) GUILFORD

I recently transitioned to academic support after teaching upper elementary grades for several years. I believe in creating learning spaces where all students feel safe and seen. When students find their voices, they become changemakers in our world. Relationships and community are at the heart of my teaching practice. When not at school, I love to grow vegetables, read novels with a cat on my lap, and wander in the woods. I am also learning trapeze, a practice which reminds me that learning new things is thrilling, and that scary things won’t always feel scary.

Katy is wearing a black hoodie with rainbow stripes down the arms. Katy's hair is shaved on the sides and purple on top.

KATY KIMBERLY (she/they) OAK GROVE SCHOOL

Katy is an Academic Support teacher at Oak Grove School, working with grades K-2.

Hilary is smiling in front of a green chalk board. She has shoulder length, short, brown hair, and is wearing a green shirt and an off-white cardigan.

HILLARY KATZ (she/her) GUILFORD CENTRAL SCHOOL

I taught 2nd-4th grades for seven years before transitioning to an academic support role this year. I am passionate about weaving topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the subjects, keeping in mind the importance of making these themes accessible and relevant to young learners through a focus on building relevant background knowledge, empathy for others, and a belief in the power of their thoughts, words, and actions.

Shannon is in front of a white wall with her blonde hair in a high bun, dangly earrings, a black t-shirt and a gray cardigan.

SHANNON KELLY (she/her) WSESU

Shannon Kelly (she/her) is Equity and Social Justice Coach for grades K-8. Having served as a Diversity Teacher Leader for the last few years, Shannon is looking forward to this opportunity to support staff and students in our district’s ongoing work toward equity and social justice.

Nina is smiling in front of a wooden wall. Their dark hair is swept back and they are wearing a cream colored sweater.

NINA NABIZADEH (they/them) GUILFORD

Nina is the art teacher at Guilford Central School.

Andrew has light brown hair swept to the side and a mask, wearing a light button down and black suspenders.

ANDREW PARSONS (they/them) BUHS

I am a Mathematics Teacher with a passion for art. I grew up in a variety of diverse communities along the East Coast, and transitioned gender-wise in early high school. Our community and those human interactions are the most important parts of life, and so I apply myself to improving these as best I can. I have been a teacher leader for the district since Spring 2022.

Anne is smiling in front of a light wood cabinet with colorful student artwork hanging behind her. Her brown hair is in a ponytail and she is wearing a gray patterned shirt.

ANNE KOPLINKA-LOEHR (she/her) BAMS

I teach social studies to 7th & 8th graders, and am passionate about incorporating social justice into our work together, including telling stories about history that are not always told. Over the years I have lived and traveled in a number of other countries. I am a parent, and have also worked in early childhood education. I’ve been teaching at BAMS since 2010, and am also involved in local community activities such as women’s chorus and parenting for social justice groups.

Nicole is smiling in front of an off-white wall. she is wearing a black shirt with a gray zip up over it, and her long, straight, dark hair is down over her shoulders.

NICOLE THOMAS (she/her) DUMMERSTON SCHOOL

I’m the school counselor at Dummerston School, and am lucky enough to have the opportunity to work with all of our students in grades Pre-K through eighth grade.  Much of my work with students focuses on building empathy, citizenship, and an understanding of social justice. 

Mary is smiling in the BUHS library with books in the background. She is wearing glasses and has light brown short hair. She is wearing a black t-shirt with a long sleeve pink shirt underneath.

TYLER BOONE (they/them) BUHS

Tyler works in Intensive Services at BUHS and coaches unified basketball and girls tennis.

Allison is smiling in front of blue bulletin board with sea creatures and plants. Her long brown hair is tied over her shoulder and she is wearing glasses. She is wearing a black shirt and gray cardigan.

AMINAH CHRISTINE PEREIRA - BAMS

Aminah Christine is an academic support teacher at the middle school.

Allison is smiling in front of blue bulletin board with sea creatures and plants. Her long brown hair is tied over her shoulder and she is wearing glasses. She is wearing a black shirt and gray cardigan.

ALLISON PAQUETTE (she/her) OAK GROVE

I teach first grade at Oak Grove with a passion for connecting students to the social, intellectual, and natural worlds around them.  We immerse ourselves in the woods weekly and explore the similarities and differences between ourselves and our class, school, and outside communities.  I am committed to supporting teachers and parents in bringing opportunities to explore social justice to our entire school.

Stephanie is smiling in front of a colorful poster that says "Welcome". Her chin length gray and brown hair is half pulled back. She is wearing a gray long sleeve shirt with a green fleece vest over it.

STEPHANIE SPRING (she/her) GREEN STREET

I taught in primary grade classrooms for fifteen years before transitioning to academic support.  I am passionate about early childhood and elementary education and love finding ways to make social justice learning accessible to even our youngest students.

Aidy is smiling in her office, wearing a grey tank top and light purple hat. She wears glasses and has chin-length, wavy, brown hair.

JEN O'DONNELL (she/her) PUTNEY

Jen is a fourth grade teacher at Putney Central School.

Carey is wearing a red shirt and has short blonde hair swept to the side. She is in front of a round window with snow and trees in the background.

CAREY FAY-HOROWITZ (she/her) PUTNEY

Carey is the librarian at Putney Central School.

Christina is wearing a black Billy Strings hoodie. She has dark framed glasses and turquoise chin length hair.

KRISTINA KOWALIK (she/her) EARLY EDUCATION SERVICES

I am the site supervisor at Canal Street Head Start as well as the lead teacher for the Owls preschool classroom. I believe that young children should learn from their play environment. I love when preschoolers figure out a solution to a problem that they encounter and their proverbial “light bulb” comes on. During my free time I enjoy gardening, spending time with family, and taking adventures.

SANDY STARK (she/her) EARLY EDUCATION SERVICES

Sandy is the Parent Child Coordinator for Early Education Services.

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