The Sanford School Department started the new academic year on a high note, welcoming its newest educators with an extensive orientation day at Sanford High School on Tuesday, August 26th. The program provided new staff with essential tools and connections needed for a strong start to the school year.
Superintendent Matt Nelson opened the morning with greetings and introductions of administrators and School Committee members in the Performing Arts Center. The technology orientation, led by newly hired Technology Director Leesa Joiner, equipped educators with essential digital skills for navigating the district's technological resources, including email systems, the Sanford website, and acceptable use policies.
Business Manager Cheryl Fournier guided new staff through essential human resources topics, from workers' compensation to tuition reimbursement, demonstrating the district's investment in its educators' well-being and professional growth. Staff learned about accessing online forms, sick leave policies, and the Employee Self Service system.
The day was packed with valuable information sessions, including essential ALICE safety training and a comprehensive walkthrough of the New Teacher Handbook. The district is also setting up New Teacher Support Groups, ensuring ongoing assistance throughout the year.
Recognizing the importance of student well-being, Director of School Counseling Beth Letourneau led a session on suicide prevention, equipping educators with vital knowledge to support their students. The training was designed to be informative and practical, covering various essential topics.
Teachers learned to recognize warning signs, and they also gained strategies for creating a supportive classroom environment that promotes an inclusive and empathetic atmosphere where students feel safe and valued.
Following a pizza and salad luncheon hosted by the Sanford Federation of Teachers in the cafeteria, with SFT President Nick Ericson welcoming the newcomers, new staff had the opportunity to spend time in their respective school buildings with their assigned mentors and building administrators.
New Staff by School
Carl J. Lamb
Anita Anderson - MLL Teacher, Karlee Erickson - Art Teacher, Emma LeConte - SpEd Teacher SC, Jennifer Martin - SpEd RR Teacher, Miranda Montgomery - K Teacher, Diane Tapscott - Admin. Asst., Regan Nason - SpEd Long Term Sub, Benjamin Gagnon - SpEd Ed Tech RR, Isabelle Hurlburt - Gr. 4 Teacher, Nicole Lynch - SpEd Ed Tech SC, Cassandra Lunderville - SpEd Ed Tech SC, Susan Moran - SpEd Ed Tech SC, Brianna Cloutier - Kindergarten Ed Tech, Suzi MacDonald - SpEd Ed Tech SC, Breanna Messier - Ed Tech SC
Margaret Chase Smith
Renee Kazan-Komarek - SpEd Social Worker, Jessica St.Clair - SpEd Teacher, Megan Talbot - Gr. 4 Teacher, Leigh-Ann Elwell - SpEd Ed Tech, Michelle Gahagan - SpEd Ed Tech, Micaela Flagg - Title 1 Math Interventionist/Coach, Marisa Stam - Outreach
Sanford High School
Autumn Forsing - English Teacher, Evgeni Bouzakine - Sp Ed Teacher, Katie Gray - School Nurse, Matthew Ouellette - Math Teacher, Matthew Pascucci - English Teacher, Ian Ryan - Social Studies Teacher, Bryant Scali - Ed Tech Student Success Center, Lynne Greenwood - SpEd Ed Tech RR, Madison Vachon - English Teacher, Sarah Watson - School Counselor, Rebecca Whitten - Math Teacher, Briana Burtsell - Art Teacher, John Gaug - Science Teacher
Sanford Middle School
Joe Mastraccio - Principal, Michael Edgar - Asst. Principal, Lindsay Pendleton - Asst. Principal, Kim Minchin - Math Teacher, Lisa Nickerson - SpEd Ed Tech SEAL, Christine Knowles - English Teacher, Jacob Morese - Band Teacher, Olivia Henry - ELA Long Term Sub, Gabrielle White - School Nurse, Andrew Johnson - MLL Teacher, Keegan Meredith - SpEd RR Teacher, Tatiana Murphy - Life Skills Teacher
SRTC
Jennifer Coverdale - Agricultural Enterprises & Environmental Systems Teacher, Jessica Giordano - Sports Medicine Teacher, Nicholas Hammond - Engineering & Architectural Design Teacher, Jethro Loichle - Culinary Arts Teacher, John Pepin - Plumbing Teacher, Kristen Perry - Baking & Pastry Teacher, Kerry Hanson - Information Technology & Networking Teacher
SPE
Samantha Creech - Grade 2, John Sanford - SpEd Teacher
SCAE
Joshua Andrews - SpEd Teacher, Kelly McBean - Teacher, Sara Tremblay - Ed Tech
District
Leesa Joiner - Technology Director, Amy Morin - Admin Asst. Food Service