The anticipation in the air was palpable as new teachers filled the Sanford Performing Arts Center last Tuesday for a day of training, connection, and a warm welcome for the 2026-2027 school year. The annual event offered more than an introduction to policies and procedures - it was an invitation into the Sanford Schools family.
“One of the things I’m most proud of is that we take care of each other,” Superintendent Matt Nelson shared during his welcome address. Throughout the day, those words proved more than just a sentiment as administrators from across the district stopped to offer encouragement, answer questions, and begin building meaningful connections with their new staff.
The day also provided Sanford’s new educators with the tools, training, and mentorship needed to prepare them for the year ahead. Among the sessions was an ALICE training led by Student Resource Officers (SROs) Joe Jourdain and Chris Gosling and Suicide Prevention training provided by Director of School Counseling Beth Letourneau. Teachers then participated in topical Round Robin sessions and had the opportunity to meet with mentors, visit their new schools, and connect with building principals and colleagues.
And while the educators came from different schools, disciplines, and professional backgrounds, they shared a common excitement about the year ahead. For Sanford YMCA Titans swim coach Emma Westgate, this year will serve to deepen her connection to the Sanford community as she transitions from a long-term substitute role at Sanford Middle School to join staff as a sixth-grade ELL teacher. “I’m just excited for a fantastic year,” Westgate said.
At Sanford Regional Technical Center, Nail Technician Instructor Tara McCarn shared similar sentiments about her new position, smiling as she expressed, “I’m ready for a new year, a new journey.”
Some educators will be embarking on new journeys in familiar places. That is true of Star Young, who has served as the substitute ceramics teacher at Sanford High School this past year, and will now be stepping into the role permanently. “As art teachers, we are very excited to have a strongly supported program,” she expressed.
Each educator may come from a different path, but together they represent a shared commitment to Sanford’s culture of community, service, care, and belonging - and to fostering classrooms where every student can be supported, challenged, and empowered to succeed.
New Staff by School
Carl J Lamb
Marie Frechette (Administrative Assistant), Christine Aldrich (Pre-K Teacher), Meghan Taylor (Kindergarten Teacher), Jaiden Williams (Grade 2 Teacher), Sandra Cadorette (Grade 2 Teacher), Katherine Hammer (Grade 3 Teacher), Sarah Martinelli (IEP Coordinator), MacKenzie Howard (Self-Contained Special Ed Teacher), Tiffany Jemery (LTS Special Ed Teacher), Robin Walker (Grades 3/4 Self-Contained Teacher), Rebecca Poliquin (Art Teacher), Megan Valente (Special Ed Social Worker), Stacey Reguera (Math & Literacy Ed Tech II), Jennifer Ring (Library Ed Tech III), Jennifer Wellwood (Special Ed Pre-K Ed Tech III), Beth Gauthier (Ed Tech I), Lilly Moran (Ed Tech I), Lazara Rangel (Special Ed Self-Contained Ed Tech III)
Margaret Chase Smith
Amber Rouillard (Pre-K Special Ed Teacher), Michelle Gahagan (Special Ed Pre-K Ed Tech III), Shiejanie Joy Kingsbury (Title I Ed Tech II), Chloe Labree (Pre-K Special Ed Ed Tech III), Sonja Nightingale (Special Ed Ed Tech III), Kari Thompson (Special Ed Ed Tech I), Savannah Thyng (Pre-K Ed Tech I)
Sanford High School
Michelle Simard (Special Ed Teacher), Angela Jackson (Alternative Ed Science Teacher), Samantha Ober (English Teacher), Star Young (Art Teacher), Ethan Stump (Health / PE Teacher), Monicah Paquette (JMG), Susan Wrisley (Social Studies Teacher), Heather Lawrence (Special Ed Ed Tech III), Kristen Montesano (Special Ed Ed Tech)
Sanford Middle School
Elisabeth Hall (Administrative Assistant to the Nurse), Olivia Henry (Grade 8 Social Studies Teacher), Emma Westgate (Grade 6 ELA Teacher), Ben Ferrari (Music/Chorus Teacher), Jacqueline Hamilton (Grade 5 Teacher), Carson Blake (Grade 6 Math Teacher), Hannah Neilson (Grade 6 Teacher), Lindsey Gould (World Language Teacher), Colin Sevigny (Grade 5 Teacher), Connor Treacy (Special Ed Teacher Co-Taught ⅞), Darci Saulnier (Special Ed Teacher), Gwendlyn DeYoung Reynolds (Life Skills Ed Tech I), Brad Shaw (MLL Teacher), MacKenzie Betty (Ed Tech III)
Sanford Regional Technical Center
Tara McCarn (Nail Technician Instructor), Ourania Xoinis (Special Populations Ed Tech)
Sanford Pride
Erin Magaw (Kindergarten Teacher), Tylar Nutting (Grade 1 Teacher), Maile Biehl (Grade 2 Teacher), Amanda Bouffard (Self-Contained Ed Tech II), Rachel Lumbert (Self-Contained Grades 3/4 Ed Tech III), Jodi Lyles (Title Literacy & Math Ed Tech II), Angie McLeod (Special Ed PreK Ed Tech III), Amy Naffah (Gen Ed PreK Ed Tech II)
District
Nicole Blount (Communications Coordinator), Alexia Ortega (Student Enrollment and Educational Records Administrative Assistant)