Braintree Schools Welcome New Teachers, Upgrade Others

With the school year rapidly approaching, staff have been working to fill teacher slots, recognize achievement and schedule educator preparation days.

Twelve appointments have been made to various positions, Superintendent Dr. Peter Kurzberg said at the . They include an English teacher at , a resource room teacher at and a moderate special education teacher at . A complete list is further below.

Another 43 educators across Braintree's schools have received professional teacher status, which means that over a three-year period they "have demonstrated the competence and knowledge to carry out your professional obligations in an exemplary fashion," according to a letter Kurzberg sent to the teachers.

The Certificates of Commendation do not come with a pay raise above what the teachers already receive for regular, contracted step increases, Kurzberg said.

"We welcome them to continue in the Braintree schools, hopefully for many more years," the superintendent said.

Kurzberg himself also received an evaluation, from the School Committee. In a letter that chair David Cunningham read aloud at the last meeting, he described Kurzberg as excelling in his position in several ways, including his relationships with the committee, community and staff, and his leadership and business acumen.

"Dr. Kurzberg is seen as a leader, with great common sense," Cunningham said. "He is considerate and caring of both students and staff members, and as a result works well with all segments of Braintree's population."

Recommended goals for the superintendent next year include expanding , effectively implementing new federal guidelines, improving technology and advocating for enough funding to combat and .

Leading up to the start of the school year, new teachers – about 30 in all – will participate in orientation days.

On Wednesday, Aug. 24, teachers will meet with curriculum directors and principals, and attend a mentor lunch. On Thursday, Aug. 26 they will meet the director of special services, computer services, officers of the Braintree Education Association and central administration.

• Below is a list of the 12 appointments presented to the School Committee on Aug. 8.

Lynne Charland .5 Speech Language Pathologist at BHS

Julie Crowley Resource Room Teacher at East Middle

Tracey Drown Moderate Special Ed Teacher at East Middle

Stephanie Halpert Speech Language Pathologist at East Middle

Laura Lebo English Teacher at BHS

Elise McHugh English Language Learner Teacher Systemwide

Helen Pang Biology Teacher at BHS

Susan Shoemaker .5 Specialized Reading/Orton Gillingham Teacher at Morrison

Tiffany Smith .5 Elementary Music at Morrison

Amand Sullivan Moderate Special Ed. Teacher at Highlands

Jason Williams Mathematics Teacher at BHS

Vivian Drake Assistant to Payroll Manager & Accounts Manager Systemwide

• Below is a list of the educators who received Professional Teacher Status in 2010-2011.

Brian Abend Mathematics at BHS

Patricia Berry Grade 5 at Liberty

David Buckley Music at BHS

Margaret Caruso Grade 3 at Morrison

Colleen Cleveland Speech & Language at Liberty

Patrick Condon English/Social Studies at East Middle

Lucas DeDeus Social Studies at South Middle

Phyllis Donahoe Grade 4 at Highlands

Rachel Duffy Integrated Information Teacher at Morrison

Catherine Fallon Grade 5 at Highlands

Carolyn Fleming Elementary at Ross

Francine Fletcher Grade 2 at Hollis

Alyson Gallotta English at South Middle

Bryan Graveline Physical Education at BHS

Sarah Hazell Grade 3 at Flaherty

Mary Kate Hughto English at South Middle

Megan Klementisz Resource at Liberty

Laura Larkin Speech & Language at Flaherty

Sharyn Lavelle Family & Consumer Science at BHS

Sherri MacDougall Grade 3 at Morrison

Jessica Malvey English at BHS

Nora Mazzeo Developmental III at Morrison

Christine (Garofalo) Mulkerrins Mathematics at BHS

Richard Newton Physics at BHS

Christina Norris Mathematics at East Middle

Christine Norris English at BHS

Kristen (Eaton) Orzechowski Mathematics at BHS

Marissa Peluso Reading Teacher at Flaherty and Liberty

Rachel Porter Social Studies at East Middle

Kathleen Sharkey-Jordan Integrated Information Teacher at Ross and Liberty

Adam Smith Biology at BHS

Sarah Stauber ELL at Ross and Morrison

Dianne Sullivan Special Education at East Middle

Elizabeth Swinning Integrated Information Teacher at Highlands

Stacey Szulak 1:1 Moderate Special Needs at South Middle

Mary Thompson Elementary at Ross

Katie Toma Grade 3 at Liberty

Kera Vanderspek English at BHS

Courtney Walsh Mathematics at BHS

Kristen Walsh Special Education Resource at East Middle

Jennifer Weinberg Speech & Language at East Middle

Sebastian J. Wood Science at BHS