A Big Community

The administration was very busy this year hiring eight new and very talented teachers to the Hopedale Junior-Senior High School team!
William Gaine was brought on as the new Athletic Director and to also teach a Standardized Test Prep (SAT prep course) daily. When asked what his passion and goals are for this his new role, William said, “I have a passion for high school athletics because I feel high school sports is the purest form of competition.” He went on to explain how Collegiate and professional sports are compromised with athletic scholarships and business decisions. “I feel the true essence of sportsmanship, community involvement, and giving one’s best is mostly found at the high school level.” William plans on promoting this philosophy to his student-athletes and coaches as well as encouraging positivity and participation. His goals are to utilize his energy, enthusiasm, and communication skills to build the teams and community even stronger than before. 
Lisa Cotton was hired as the 7th grade special education teacher.  She has lived in Ashland, MA for the past 21 year, 14 of which she worked in Ashland’s middle school and high school.  She truly enjoys working with this age group! Lisa has three grown children, all of whom have finished college and have moved on with their lives.  Her oldest will be getting married next year, the middle one is working/playing hard, and the youngest lives in Vietnam.  She is very proud of all of them! Lisa’s earlier career was as a travel agent which she loved and found very fun.  Eventually it became time to move on so She returned to college to earn her bachelor’s degree in Psychology.  While her children were young, working within the school system made a lot of sense so that she could be around when they needed her.  “While my youngest was in college, I decided to return to school to earn my master’s in special education.  I’m thrilled to be here working with the staff and students at Hopedale Jr/Sr High School!  This is an amazing community and I’m so privileged to have this experience and opportunity!”
Timothy Vaillancourt currently lives in Leominster, MA. He graduated from Hopedale Jr/Sr High School back in 2004.  Timothy was hired to teach 7th Grade General Science which includes Biology, Physics and Earth Science, as well as a class of 10th Grade Biology. He attended college at Salem State College to pursue Business Management, however, after taking his first required science class he switched majors and later graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Geology with a concentration in Earth Sciences.  Timothy worked at the Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School for 6 years as the Earth Science Teacher.  When asked why he chose to teach at Hopedale Jr/Sr. High school, Timothy said, “I wanted to come to Hopedale because I missed the community that I grew up with. .  Middle school students are my favorite age group that I have taught and I enjoy challenging them to learn more about science and find what they are passionate about.” Timothy has also taught the following classes as electives:  7th Grade Physics, Oceanography, Geographic Information Systems & Field Methods, as well as Geoscience Research.
Lauren Galiardi was hired as Math Teacher. She previously worked at Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School where she taught a variety of math classes for grades 9-12. Lauren received her undergraduate degree from Providence College in Mathematics and Secondary Education and her graduate degree from Simmons College in Mathematics Education. She looks forward to working with Hopedale students and their families!
Ronda Palin was hired to teach Grade 8 Math, Algebra I, Honors and an Introduction to Algebra II. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts and Science in Secondary Education and Mathematics from Salve Regina College, she started teaching mathematics at Hopedale Junior-Senior High School in 1992 as Ms.Tanguay.  She continued to teach math in Hopedale for the next seven years and during this time completed her Masters of Mathematics from W.P.I.  In June of 1999 she went out on maternity leave for the birth of her first child.  Rhonda then returned in the winter of 2000 to help with technology during the planning, renovation and construction of the new building.  She continued on a part time basis for the remainder of the 1999/2000 school year as well as the following school year as a Technology Integration Teacher.  She ultimately decided to leave teaching to raise her three children however, continued to pursue her passion of teaching mathematics by tutoring.  “I am excited to be back in the Hopedale School System and now have a bit of a different perspective than before as a parent to three middle/high school children of my own!”
Debra Hodgens was hired to teach 7th grade English. She graduated from Worcester State University with a Bachelor’s in English and then went on to Boston College where she received a Master’s in English. She previously taught in Holliston, MA. A resident of Hopedale since 1992, Debra and her husband Chris have raised five children, who are all products of the Hopedale school system. “ I am a huge believer in what we do here in Hopedale and am so grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a great team of educators and administrators,” said Debra. “Teaching in Hopedale is a dream come true. I bring an interesting perspective as a parent and an educator. Keenly aware of the needs of young adults, I am thoroughly enjoying being back in the classroom and am focused on bringing out the best in each and every learner.” 
Meghan Asselin has been hired to start a new sub separate program. Within her classroom she will spend the year working on academics for students, and also focus on functional living and social skills. The primary goal in her classroom will be to teach students to become independents.  Meghan has spent the last 5 years at New England Center for Children. Three of those years was spent within their residential program working with young adults aged 16-21 in both their school and residential placements. The last two years at NECC she worked within the Chelmsford Public school and was contracted to work with students on the autism spectrum who attended school at one of Chelmsford’s middle schools.
Suzanne Johnson was hired as a Chemistry Teacher. She received a doctorate in chemistry from Northeastern University and a B.S. from Framingham State. She has taught High School chemistry for the last fifteen years. Prior to that, Suzanne has worked as an industrial chemist in biotech as well as environmental chemistry. 
On behalf of the community, the students and the administration, we would like to offer all of the new teachers a warm and congratulatory welcome. We are excited to be part of the professionalism and expertise that each of these individuals will bring to the Hopedale High School experience!