Pupil Services head to retire after 35 years

FALLS VILLAGE — Martha Schwaikert, Region One’s Director of Pupil Services gave notice last week of her retirement effective June 30.

Schwaikert has worked in special education for Region One for the past 35 years. She began her career at Kent Center School 1988. In 1993, she moved to teach middle school at Salisbury Central School for twelve years.

In 2005, she transferred to Housatonic Valley Regional School, thus accomplishing her personal goal of having taught at each grade level in the District.

From 2009 to 2021, Schwaikert was the Supervisor of Special Education for Region One and became the Director in October of 2021.

In her letter to Region One Superintendent Lisa Carter, Schwaikert shared that she is retiring now in order to spend more time with her family and to pursue other interests outside of the realm of special education.

She thanked the Region One community, “for all of the opportunities and experiences it has provided me throughout these many years. I have had the pleasure of working with so many amazing teachers, families and colleagues, but the truly exciting and rewarding work has always been the work that was done with and for our students. I have worked with hundreds of fantastic children on navigating their educational journeys and whenever I have the good fortune to encounter any of them as adults, whether as parents, community members, or sometimes even colleagues, I am always so very proud of who they have become. No other job can provide that level of human reward, and I feel exceptionally grateful for having been provided the experience.”

Carter said, “Martha is a caring and outstanding educator who has devoted her life to providing an excellent education to Region One students and supporting their families. Additionally, she is an excellent leader, colleague, and mentor, who is highly regarded by all Region One staff, administration, and Boards of Education. We are all profoundly sad to say goodbye to Martha, but wish her all the best in the next steps of her life journey.”

Region One Board of Education Chair Pat Mechare, said “Martha has been an important and respected player in the area of special education in Region One for 35 years. Her knowledge of special education methodology and her approach to students in her care has changed the lives of many. She will be missed for her advocacy, insightfulness, good humor and ability to meet difficult challenges.”

Four other retirements or resignations  were announced at the Feb. 6 Region One school board meeting.

Vance Cannon, currently serving as Library Media Specialist, Health and Physical Education teacher Lindsley Colligan, and Sukie Hatcher from Special Services are all retiring.

Robert Joeckel, School Counselor at HVRHS, is resigning in order to take a job at Enfield High School, where his wife teaches.