May 27, 2022
Dear Windham Academy Community,
I wish to officially introduce myself as the incoming Director at Windham Academy! I am so thrilled to become part of such a positive and caring place. As you know, Windham Academy is well known for its amazing school, and I look forward to continue supporting and growing Windham Academy’s tremendous reputation in Southern New Hampshire. My first goal is to build relationships and gain the school community’s trust in me as your new leader.
A little bit about myself… I have two children, Emmelynn - who is eight years old, and Matthieu - who is five years old. I have two older stepsons, Kyle - who attends UNH, and Liam - who is working down in Florida. My wife, a school principal in Massachusetts, and I have been married for nine years and are current residents of the beautiful town of Hampstead. I received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and Geography, and my Master of Arts Degree in Teaching and Learning with a focus on Educational Technology. I was a fourth and fifth grade teacher for nine years in Haverhill, MA, and I have been a school leader for the past six years. I have extensive experience and training in STEM and curriculum development through my previous positions.
As the new leader of the school, it is my responsibility to ensure that Windham Academy continues to be a fun and positive place to be, while ensuring that your child(ren) receives the best possible education, both academically and socially. I have been working with, meeting with, and communicating with the Board regularly. I have also met with Mrs. Labo to support a smooth leadership transition.
I am happy to announce that with some detailed planning and restructuring, Windham Academy will have the following new positions for next school year:
1. Full time Assistant Director for Student Services - Sara Amacio
2. Full time Administrative Assistant (formerly Receptionist) - Michelle Card
3. Full time School Counselor and Social Emotional Learning Specialist - Haley Gilmore
4. Instructional Technology, Digital Learning Specialist, and STEM Teacher - Chris Rodrigues
5. Two full time and one four days per week Special Education Teachers -
Angela Taranto-Kelley, Kim Stewart, and Emily Vadeboncoeur
6. Part Time Special Education Case Manager - Rosemary Coughlan
I am very excited with all of these new positions! They will add so much to our already wonderful school community!
I am also happy to announce that we will have a foreign language program next school year at Windham Academy! Mrs. Melissa Coakley will move from STEM to foreign language teacher. She has extensive experience instructing in this area in the past, and we are very thrilled that she will move her engaging instructional strategies to this new role. This will become an academic class in Grades 6 and 7. Students in these grades will have this class every other school day. Students in Grades K-5 will have foreign language class once per week as more of an exposure experience with basic numbers, letters, songs, and fun! Additional information will be forthcoming as we continue to plan and develop this new program.
We have all classroom teaching positions filled for next school year:
Kindergarten Teachers: Kendall King, Ayla Retelle, and Heather Hankus
First Grade Teachers: Rebecca Bouchard and Jennifer Morneau
Second Grade Teachers: Shannon Broadhurst, Victoria Mirabito, and Mackenzie Olin
Third Grade Teachers: Caroline Jablonski, Kassandra Taylor, and Katherine Novelli
Fourth Grade Teachers: Alexandra Rooney, Teresa Adams, and Lindsey England
Fifth Grade Teacher: Kyra Burns
Grades 6/7 ELA and Social Studies: Angela Vousboukis
Grades 6/7 Math and Science: Andrew Ferguson
Art Teacher: Meg Wilcox
Please join me in welcoming our new members to the Windham Academy Community! All of the new staff cannot wait to get started and continue promoting Windham Academy as a positive school atmosphere, and will all work collaboratively together with returning staff members to help foster Windham Academy’s continued growth in the future.
I very much look forward to meeting all of you! I will be only a phone call, email, and/or visit away. It is my intention to foster open and consistent communication to our school community so everyone feels included and a true part of the Windham Academy Family. I look forward to meeting many of you at our Cookie Night, which will take place on Wednesday, June 8th. A separate flyer was sent out with all the details! I am so ecstatic to become part of the Windham Academy Community!
Sincerely,
Matthew Castonguay
Incoming Director
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