Croton-Harmon Faculty Adds 6

Croton-Harmon Union Free School District students will see some new faces at the start of the school year, as the district has welcomed six new staff members. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Deborah O’Connell introduced them to administrators during an orientation session on Aug. 26.

The new staff members are:

• John Bohunek, social studies teacher, eighth and 11th grades
• Kayla Martin, student assistant counselor in the middle and high schools
• Victoria McGuire, school psychologist
• Kirby Mosenthal, high school guidance counselor
• Chase Stevens, fifth-grade art teacher and high school photography teacher
• David Xavier, special education teacher

Bohunek and Xavier, who had completed their student-teaching requirements at the district, said they wanted to continue their professional careers in Croton-Harmon. The reason, they said, was to give back to the district, which instilled in them the traits of what a great educator should be.

“They really showed their commitment and desire to the district and that’s because they felt a connection to the district’s mission and vision,” Dr. O’Connell said.

She also spoke about the importance of community, in which each teacher or faculty member plays a role. In turn, new staff members said they are excited to work with the community, meet their students and continue to grow the programs at the district.

“They are reflective and have a great grasp of looking at the whole child and the importance of social-economic learning,” Dr. O’Connell said of the six new staff members.

During the orientation session, faculty worked in pairs over an icebreaker challenge, allowing them to get to know each other and introduce their partner to the rest of the group. They also learned about the software they will use and were given an overview of the district’s mission and goals, as well as the evaluation system and other procedures.

Photo Captions

CH New Staff 1: Croton-Harmon UFSD new staff members Victoria McGuire, Kayla Martin, David Xavier, John Bohunek and Chase Stevens participated in an orientation on Aug. 26.

CH New Staff 2: High school guidance counselor Kirby Mosenthal and school psychologist Victoria McGuire got to know five things about each other during orientation.

CH New Staff 3: Special education teacher David Xavier writes down five things about fellow teacher Chase Stevens.