BCSD is excited to shine a light on its wonderful and dedicated staff and teachers each month. Get to know a little more about this school year’s last featured staff members Ms. Beulah Saunders, Ms. Jennifer Mitchell, Ms. Cristi Lamontagne and Ms. Tammy Moore.
BCSD will quote the featured staffs’ responses to a light-hearted questionnaire. This is an opportunity for the staff at BCSD to share more about themselves as well as offer some advice from their perspective.
Ms. Beulah Saunders
Berlin Central School District
Buildings & Grounds BES
1. What is your favorite memory from school?
Prom, I went with my high school love and I am still with him today.
2. What would the students be surprised to find out about you? What is one of your hidden talents?
I have lived in the same place for 47 years. I love working in my flower beds.
3. What makes a ‘good day’ in the school building for you?
Seeing the kids smiling and laughing.
4. Where is your favorite feature or place in the elementary school that BES students should utilize more?
The Art room, kids do some really good artwork there.
6. If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them?
Disney World, all kids want to go there.
7. What is your “trapped on a desert island” book?
Titanic
Ms. Jennifer Mitchell
Berlin Elementary School
Library Media Specialist
1. What is your favorite memory from school?
My favorite memory from school was being read to by my elementary school librarian Mr. Merchant. The way he could spellbind the class into silent focus always felt like magic to me.
2. What would the students be surprised to find out about you? What is one of your hidden talents?
Students might be surprised to learn that I HATE the taste of chocolate and always have. A hidden talent I have is fencing (sword fighting), though I am a bit out of practice. I joined a fencing club in college, and ended up the co-captain by my senior year.
3. What makes a ‘good day’ at school?
A good day at school is one in which the students in my classes leave the library excited about what they have done that day.
4. What kinds of questions do you suggest that I ask my child(ren) on a daily basis after a day at school?
What is the most interesting thing you learned today?
What was the craziest thing that happened to you today?
5. What are the best resources that we should consider using to support our child in the classroom?
The Sora and Epic Apps for self-selected reading.
6. If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them?
Library of Congress in Washington DC. SO MANY BOOKS!
7. What is your “trapped on a desert island” book?
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. It’s happy, funny, and set in a remote time and place, making it a great escapist read. Of course a book titled How to Survive on a Desert Island might be more practical.
Ms. Cristi Lamontagne
Berlin High School
English and Language Arts Teacher
1. What is your favorite memory from school?
It was so long ago…. I don’t usually pick favorites, but I most enjoyed English, math, music, and sports. There are so many great memories of friends, teachers, and coaches that I cannot choose one over the others.
2. What would the students be surprised to find out about you? What is one of your hidden talents?
Since many consider English and math an unlikely combination, they might be surprised to know that math was one of my best subjects. I’ve been doing BollyX dance fitness since 2016. I love to sing. (I don’t think I have any hidden talents, like juggling axes or playing a harmonica with my nose.)
3. What makes a ‘good day’ in the school building for you?
Every day! (And, no, I’m not a toxically positive person, so I actually mean it.) I have one of the best jobs in the world, and I get to meet so many interesting people every year.
4. What kinds of questions do you suggest that I ask my child(ren) on a daily basis after a day at school?
Ask them to tell you a little about what they did in each class. Then go from there. Ask them about what they see going well around them and what they don’t.
5. What are the best resources that we should consider using to support our child in the classroom?
The best resources are the families and the teachers. Contact the teachers now and then, and find out how to use whatever learning management system the school has. Please help the students learn appropriate use of personal devices; they’ve become a serious distraction in school.
6. If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them?
I’m not sure where exactly (so many choices), but I would take them somewhere they could be overwhelmed by the beauty of the world sans technology. Many seem to be losing the ability to be present.
7. What is your “trapped on a desert island” book?
Oh, no, not another superlative! 😉 I love books and cannot choose just one. However, I am practical when I need to be, so obviously I would choose How to Survive on a Deserted Island. Then I would be able to return to an infinite library.
Ms. Tammy Moore
Berlin Elementary School
Teacher Assistant
1. What is your favorite memory from school?
Hanging out with my friends!
2. What would the students be surprised to find out about you? What is one of your hidden talents?
They would be surprised to learn that I make my own homemade jam and pickles! One of my hidden talents is that I can sing pretty well. This is self proclaimed of course!
3. What makes a ‘good day’ at school?
It’s a good day when all of the students are engaged and interested in what is being taught.
4. What kinds of questions do you suggest that I ask my child(ren) on a daily basis after a day at school?
How was your day? What did you learn in Science or Social Studies? Ask specific questions and they will be eager to share what they have learned!
5. What are the best resources that we should consider using to support our child in the classroom?
Communication with their teachers and support staff. Stay informed about their daily activities.
6. If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them?
Australia! It’s so beautiful there and has really cool animals to watch!
7. What is your “trapped on a desert island” book?
Anything by JK Rowling/Robert Galbraith.