Cheyenne Borthwick: Special Educator

Hello! My name is Cheyenne Borthwick and I am a special educator here at Waitsfield Elementary. I have lived in Warren for the past 11 years. I have a dog named Tucker and a cat named Dolly. I love to take Tucker on walks and spend time outdoors. I graduated from Castleton University in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and special education. I am currently working on my master’s degree through Southern New Hampshire University. My education career started at the Warren School where I was an instructional assistant after college. I taught in an alternative school for two years before coming back to the valley. I am excited to continue my teaching journey in Waitsfield! 

 

MJ Wright: Special Educator/Interventionist.  

 I love helping students find the joy in reading and in learning, and feel privileged to work as a teacher. I have taught in two states and in 7 schools.  My undergraduate degree is from the University of Denver, my Masters of Science in Special Education is from SUNY New Paltz, and my CAS is from the University of Vermont in Reading and Language Arts.  I  have been back in Vermont for 27 years, and live in Waterbury with my husband where we raised our two sons.  I am an avid reader, gardener, and enjoy being outdoors.

 

Becca Neville: Speech Language Pathologist

Helping students to communicate brings me great joy, as communication is within everything we do! I feel so lucky to work with students every day on their speech, spoken language, comprehension, and social communication skills. I graduated from Springfield College with my undergraduate degree, and my graduate school degree is from the MGH Institute of Health Professions. This past summer, my family and I moved to Vermont from Colorado. In Colorado I also worked at an elementary school as an SLP. I love skiing, hiking, yoga, and spending time with my husband and 2 young children. 

 

Alison Figdor: Academic Interventionist

Hello, my name is Alison Figdor, and I joined Waitsfield Elementary School this school year as an academic interventionist. I live in Richmond with my two children Evan and Lucy (ages 2 and 7) and my husband John. When I’m not teaching I love running, hiking, skiing, canoeing, reading, baking, traveling, and spending time with my family. I was born and raised in a small town in rural Alaska.  I moved to Vermont to attend the University of Vermont. After graduating in 2005, I continued my education at UVM and received an Elementary Teaching degree in 2008. This past July I received a Masters in Curriculum Leadership from St. Michael's College.  I previously taught at Brookside Elementary as a 3rd and 4th grade teacher. Before that I taught 4th and 5th grades  at the JFK Elementary School in Winooski and the St. Johnsbury School. I have a passion for engaging students in their own learning and helping students to develop a love for learning

 

Zack Smithwood: Student Support Specialist

Zack is a New Hampshire native, but came to Vermont to attend Saint Michael's College and decided to stay. After graduating with a degree in environmental science in 2017, he served three AmeriCorps terms in Vermont before joining the Waitsfield staff in 2019. He lives on the other side of Camel's Hump in beautiful Huntington. This year, Zack started working for an outdoor education nonprofit called The Willowell Foundation. On Monday through Wednesday you'll find Zack teaching students in the woods of Monkton, VT. He is thrilled to be back in Waitsfield on Thursdays and Fridays each week teaching in this wonderful community.

 

Joanna von Recklinghausen: Instructional Assistant

Gutentag - I am Joanna von Recklinghausen (aka Mrs v) . I have been working in the HUUSD district for 10 years now and have been here at WES for 3 years.  I feel so blessed to be here.  I have the pleasure of working in Mr. Hubbard's ½ classroom.  Many of the students I see every day I have known since kindergarten and I have really enjoyed getting to know all of them and all of the new students.  The kids will tell you I am a HUGE Olaf fan and am proud of it!!!