Master’s Degree in Psychology and Counseling – Assumption College
Degree in Canon Law (JCL) – Catholic University of America, Washington D.C
With renewed enthusiasm I look forward to the new academic year offering students a wide range of educational opportunities. The introduction of technology will complement the latest textbooks and make the learning process more effective for students with diverse abilities. The availability of other programs like foreign languages, instrumental music – brass band, voice training, choirs, and sports develop different talents of the students. Catholic values learned and practiced on a daily basis develop character and form positive habits to obtain a holistic education. A dedicated faculty, well versed in recent technology, will make education enjoyable and rewarding. May God bless our efforts, our teachers, and our students.
School Administrator Social Studies
English Administration – 22 years
Teacher – 12 years
Masters Degree in Educational Technology, Lesley University
Massachusetts Teaching Certification: Science, Biology, Educational Technology
Certificates:
Eye on Weather, The Museum of Science, Boston
Engineering the Future, the Museum of Science, Boston
Technology at the International Technology Education Association
Tufts Engineering Mentors: Pre-College Engineering for Teachers program
System Administration: Supporting Novell NetWare 4.1
Blueprints for Science, University of Massachusetts
Science/Biology: Private Universe Project Fitchburg State College
For the past 40 years I have worked in the field of education. I was a teacher at St. Joseph School in Webster form 1970-1979, Bartlett High School from 1979-1999, and Shepherd Hill Regional High School from 1999-2009. Over the years I have taught the following courses: Science, Biology, Nature Study, Computer Science, Meteorology, CAD, and Introduction to Technology, Physical Science, Business Education, Computer Programming, and Computer Networking. I am a certified trainer of Smart Board and MIMIO Interactive Board. I have provided workshops to teachers in the use of technology and computers. I have also taught technology courses for Worcester State College, Framingham State College, and Fitchburg State College.
I have been an instructor as well as a director of Project 50/50, a summer computer camp sponsored by digital Equipment Corp. Over the past 35 years, I have coached basketball, soccer, and track and field. I have also been a certified high school basketball official for more than 30 years.
My teaching career has come full circle. I am happy to be back teaching Science at St. Joseph School where I started my career. my goal is to make the instruction of Science comprehensive through the use of technology, lecture, discussions, inquiry-based learning, practice and application, and peer educating. I look forward to sharing my knowledge with the students of St. Joseph School and preparing them for the future.
Master of Business Administration, Nichols College
I have worked for St. Joseph Parish and School since 1997. Over the many years my responsibilities have evolved and currently as of 2014 I serve as Business Manager. I am responsible for all the financial aspects including tuition processing. My duties also include research and implementation of technology as well as marketing of the school. My two older sons graduated from St. Joseph School in 2014 and 2015 and as a result of the foundation they received at St. Joe’s, they both were accepted to Marianapolis Prep School with scholarships. My youngest son is still at St. Joseph’s. It is such a pleasure to see him going to and from school with a smile on his face and enjoying the whole learning experience. I enjoy reading, dancing, and spending time with my family be it watching movies, playing board games, vacationing together, or attending sports games. Having three children in Catholic schools and the thought of college expenses within the next couple of years is often overwhelming. But I believe that this investment in my children’s future will result in them having values, ethics, compassion, perseverance, and other guidelines needed to navigate the labyrinth of adult life.
FULL TIME FACULTY
Quinsigamond Community College; Worcester State University
Working in education for 24 years, I am happy to return to my grammar school to provide guidance and academic skills for the young child. We learn about the world around us and especially God’s love for each and every one of us! We build a strong foundation of academics and social skills we need and use daily!
Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education with a Minor in Special Education, Salve Regina University
This is my 3rd year teaching Pre-Kindergarten at St. Joseph’s School. I have experience teaching children from Infants to Fourth Grade. My first year as a teacher was here at St. Joseph School. Where I taught First Grade and then Kindergarten. I am very excited to be back here where I started my teaching career. I believe that God has chosen a place for each one of us in this world and his love and guidance has brought me back here where I started. I have had many great teachers when I was a child and I look back to my fond memories to guide me in my teaching. I love teaching young children everyday is a new adventure.
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Minor in Psychology and Early Childhood Development, Worcester State College
This is my second year working at St Joseph School as a Pre-Kindergarten Aide. I believe that every child should have the opportunity to learn in a safe and caring environment. Everyday I look forward to assisting students with every aspect of their education and personal needs.
Master’s Degree in Education & English Language Arts, Bachelors Degree in Humanities and Early Childhood Education, Anna Maria College
This is my 4th year teaching Kindergarten at St. Joseph’s School. I have experience teaching first grade, preschool and pre-kindergarten. I have found St. Joseph School to be an excellent environment to learn proper values. I believe in incorporating themes, integrated units, group work, individual work, and hands-on learning in order to make children active learners. I feel it is my goal as a teacher to guide children to learn the tools for success. I look forward to being a positive role model to help children learn spiritually, academically and socially.
At times God inspires me to compose spiritual poetry. One of my poems was published in 1977-1978 in the Cord Magazine. The title of the poem was Beneath the Cross. Sometimes I even put my poetry to a musical setting. God leads the way and I am just a weak instrument following the inner voice of love. I am happy to be working here at Saint Joseph Basilica as a full time kindergarten aide. I love to work with little children. As an aide I have the opportunity to instill and foster the faith of the children in many challenging ways.
With the use of modern technology, especially the Promethean Board, religion classes can be very visual and colorful. The Bible plays an important part in the life of a Kindergarten student as well. At times the children even act out different stories from Scripture. Lastly as a teacher I must have a sense of humor, mingled with love and a gentle touch of discipline. Everything else will follow. I strongly believe if I put God in the hearts of little ones, their faith will be solid. This is so important since the children of today are tomorrow’s future.
Bachelor of Arts in elementary Education, Rhode Island College, Providence, RI
Certified in Massachusetts, Grades 1-6
I enjoy teaching the second grade here at St. Joseph School. Second Grade is such a special year as the children take the next step in their faith development by preparing for and receiving their First Penance and First Communion. I look forward to helping the children develop both academically, socially and spiritually in a challenging and caring environment. The students work together as they learn new things in the classroom and participate in school wide activities which bring the whole school community closer together.
BA Psychology, College of the Holy Cross
MA Teaching Certification, Assumption College/Worcester State
I have been an educator at St. Joseph School for over 34+ years. Although most of my time teaching in the classroom has been in the 3rd grade, I have also taught Preschool, l st grade Science and Social Studies, and 4th grade Language Arts. My interaction with the students continues outside of my 3rd grade classroom, as I supervise the Homework Room daily. As the Assistant Athletic Director and Assistant Cheerleading Coach, I enjoy watching and helping the children grow, not only in their athletic ability, but to become positive role models displaying good sportsmanship and showing respect for each other.
My goal as an educator is to provide each student with an environment where they can succeed and grow academically, socially, and spiritually. This is accomplished by offering various methods of teaching that support their individual learning style, and making learning fun!
Throughout the years, I have experienced many different trends in education, with the implementation of technology being the most challenging and exciting! I am very fortunate to supplement my curriculum with Promethean Board interactive lessons, activote assessments, and an endless supply of internet resources.
St. Joseph School plays an important role in my life and the life of my family. My 3 daughters are graduates of St. Joseph School and first-hand examples of how an education at St. Joseph School does provide a” foundation for life” and prepared them for a successful career in their years following SJS.
BS Education, Catholic Teacher’s College, Providence, RI
Teacher over 38 years, 8 at St Joseph’s
Certified in Massachusetts
I was born in the Bronx, and my parents Joseph & Sally Akalski were very prayerful and pious people. My greatest gift of the religious life is my perseverance and my fidelity to Jesus. When I read the many biographical sketches of Blessed Angela, I identified with her love for children as well as her intense desire to educate young people not just academically, but in values and virtues that make life meaningful.
We all have our challenges in life, and sometimes those little things that come our way, that cross our path, they are the ones that make us strong and build up our character. As far as the students go, I believe that we treat our students as individuals. We hold them to our highest potential, and we provide them with a safe discipline and nurturing environment where our students learn and thrive. As a teacher I try to teach the children not only the value of helping others, but the importance of loyalty and commitment.
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a minor in Child Psychology, Westfield State College
What do I enjoy most about teaching 5th grade? Everything. It has a wonderful curriculum with a lot of opportunity to grow and explore. I am able to integrate all aspects of learning for the whole child. These include their educational needs, emotional needs, and spiritual needs.
My favorite bible verse? Matthew 19:13-15 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them and went away.
When I’m not at St. Joseph? I am a mother, daughter, and aunt. I enjoy the theater and music. Wherever I am, you will find me surrounded by the ones I love.
Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics with a minor in Secondary Education, College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee,MA
Master’s degree in Formative Spirituality, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA. Certified in Massachusetts.
My main focus in Religion class is to help my students develop a personal relationship with Jesus which will grow through their lifetimes. In Math class I engage the students using a variety of techniques: interactive lessons on the Promethean board, timed speed drills to review mental math, standardized test practice in the computer lab, student examples on the whiteboard, etc. I realize the need to build a solid vocabulary of math terms and I know the importance of continuous practice of basic skills to prepare students for high school. My aim is to make all students comfortable in working with numbers and challenge them to solve a variety of problems with the skills they learn. Study skills and good organizational practices help the students develop confidence and a sense of personal achievement.
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, North Adams State College
Master of Business Administration, Nichols College Mass.
Professional Educator’s License for Grades K-8
As a member of the St. Joseph School faculty since 2001, I focus on developing a community of independent learners in Grades 6-8. I firmly believe that students learn best when they are actively engaged in the learning process, and I integrate interactive technology in the language arts and social studies curricula to provide engaging learning activities for my students. In language arts I challenge my students to build on the knowledge they have gained to further develop their own unique writing talents and improve the quality of their writing using strong examples of good writing in popular literature. I integrate technology in the language arts curriculum for writing, editing, and publishing. In social studies I use a variety of authentic assessment projects that allow my students to demonstrate their knowledge of World and American history in creative ways.
Bachelor of Science, Worcester State College
Certified grades K-8 in Massachusetts.
This begins my 36th year of teaching at Saint Joseph School. I graduated from Worcester State College with a Bachelor of Science degree and am certified to teach grades K-8 in the state of Massachusetts. This year my personal goal is to take advantage of workshops and mini-courses that are related to the subject areas that I teach and to impart that knowledge to the students using the techniques and strategies that I’ve learned. I hope to challenge each student to become an active learner by instilling in them a desire to use their skills of investigation and to provide a variety of learning options to accommodate the differences in how students learn. I am also striving to incorporate the technological advances that are available into my every day teaching.