My name is Meaghan Fenton. I was hired in December of 2016 by the Ware Public School System as the new Preschool teacher at Stanley M. Koziol Elementary School. Realizing that I would have huge shoes to fill following the lovely and talented Kimberly Thompson, who is now the Assistant Principal at Stanley M. Koziol Elementary School, I accepted this position with both appreciation and excitement. Time has proven my experience in this position to be an absolute pleasure. I consider myself most fortunate to be a part of such a supportive and caring community of educators and staff members who daily demonstrate their love and dedication to the students and their families. The Preschool teachers and staff, as well as the administration, have dedicated much of their time and efforts to make me feel welcome and supported in my new position. I am lucky to be surrounded by such a wonderful group of people. Thus far this has been a pleasurable journey with my students. Getting to know each one of my students on an individual level over the past few months has reminded me time and again why I chose a career in the field of teaching.
My personal teaching adventure began when I was accepted into the Education Program at Elms College in Chicopee, Massachusetts. While in the Education Program at Elms College, I took several courses in the Communication Sciences and Disorders field. To my surprise, I discovered myself intrigued by communication disorders, as well as teaching students with communication disorders. In 2009, I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. For the following two years I worked as a Speech Language Pathology Assistant providing therapy to students with communication disorders ranging from preschool to 12th grade in the Palmer School District, Amherst School District and Westfield School District. After the two years working as a Speech and Language Pathology Assistant, I made the mindful decision to continue my education and felt strongly that becoming licensed as a Special Education Teacher would allow me to use my communication sciences background to support students’ needs and fulfill my desire to become a teacher.
In 2015, I graduated with a Master Degree in the Arts of Teaching. I was hired by the Monson Public School System as a Special Education teacher working with middle school students with behavioral challenges, as well as teaching in an inclusive sixth grade classroom supporting students with moderate special needs.
I look forward to continuing to use my experiences to support the learning styles of each of my students, supporting students with accessing their tool box in order to be successful with concept and skill building, and supporting students in developing the appropriate social skills to be successful in society. My teaching philosophy and ultimate goal is to foster the love of learning in my students at Stanley M. Koziol Elementary School.