This August, eleven new teachers joined the ranks of the regional’s faculty. Entering Wachusett’s classrooms, guidance office, music department, and athletic facilities, this diverse array of teachers are set to be a valuable addition to the school.
John Stockton and Charles Arnold, the two new special education teachers, both experienced in their field, are excited to begin work at Wachusett.
“I like a larger high school, I think it gives you a more diverse setting with different types of learners,” said Stockton.
Stockton and Arnold both share a passion for special education and the holistic, individualized approach it requires.
“Just because you have ADHD doesn’t mean you learn the same as someone else with ADHD. You’re always on your toes trying to figure out learning styles,” said Stockton.
Arnold agreed with Stockton.
“Special education students are just as capable as anyone,” Arnold said.
Wachusett’s Therapeutic Learning Center helps students succeed by supporting them beyond the strictly academic realm.
“It’s a wonderful model for being able to reach students who struggle socially and emotionally,” said Arnold. “You can’t separate emotions and society from academics.”
According to the new school psychologist, Jessica Moore, the opportunity to do individual mental health counseling made employment in the district attractive.
“I advocate for students,” said Jessica Moore, a new school psychologist. “I took the job here because it’s a lot of counseling. What is unique about Wachusett is that they allow psychologists to have a clinical mental health role.”
Moore said she wishes students were more aware of the mental health resources available at Wachusett.
“If you need any help we’re always in the guidance office,” said Moore.
Like the new special education teachers, Moore’s scope of work extends beyond the classroom.
“We have our hands in everything in terms of supporting students; we’re communicating with families; we’re communicating with teachers, figuring out where students are,” said Moore.
Other new teachers agreed that there was something unique about Wachusett that drew them to employment in this community.
Linnea Henningson, a new music teacher, had a “gut feeling” that Wachusett was right for her. Directing an acapella group in high school made Henningson realize that music
education was her calling.
“I felt that teaching music here was the perfect thing for who I am,” Henningson said.
Like Henningson, Connor Romaine, a new math teacher, discovered his interest in teaching during high school. Romaine, whose favorite subject to teach is Algebra, was particularly drawn to the Wachusett School District.
“Many teachers have been here a long time, and there is a lot of teacher longevity,” said Romaine. “When I talked to teachers here, I knew I had an easy decision to make.”
Arnold shared a similar sentiment.
“[Teachers I knew] encouraged me to apply for a job here and had a lot of great things to say about the District,” Arnold said.
Benjamin Lefebvre, a new social studies teacher, has had a passion for history since high school, leading him to study Historic Preservation in college. “Building up knowledge and ideas about the world we live in as seen through history is appealing to me.”
Lefebvre said that he hopes to impart his students with an understanding of the “interconnected web of history,” enabling them to appreciate the contemporary effects of historical events in their day-to-day lives.
“We can pull one string back in the Renaissance, and it tugs the other side in 2023,” said Lefebvre.
Oscar Esposito was a head Track and Field coach at Wachusett prior to becoming a gym teacher this fall. Esposito’s tenure at Wachusett as a student and a coach made him feel invested in the school community.
“[My teachers] helped me tremendously in high school, I was going through some personal stuff my senior year, and they all cared a great amount for me and were there to listen and understand,” said Esposito.
Esposito said that he is excited to assume a greater role in the PE department.
“Wachusett has an amazing PE department with great teachers, facilities, and different classes offered,” said Esposito. “Not all schools are as lucky as we are.”
