New faces — and some old friends — in Region One

FALLS VILLAGE — The 13 new hires in the Region One School District met at Housatonic Valley Regional High School on Tuesday, Aug. 25, for orientation.

Amy Bennett, a special education teacher, is a resident of Norfolk and a graduate of Northwestern Regional 7 High School. She received her bachelor’s degree in fine arts from New School University and her master’s degree from Long lsland University in working with students with disabilities. She previously worked for the New York Board of Education in Brooklyn. Salary: $63,550

Taylor Monico is the new English teacher at Housatonic Valley Regional High School. A native of Bristol, she received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Quinnipiac University and her master’s degree in education from Central Connecticut State University. She was a student teacher at Cromwell Middle School. Salary: $46,980

Sarah Salsman is the new autism specialist at Housatonic Valley Regional High School. A resident of Milford, she received her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in special education (for grades kindergarten through 12) from Lynchburg College. She recently completed her student teaching at Rustburg Elementary School and has experience at the high school level, where she taught self-contained math and 11th grade English and study skills. Salary: $42,985

Tristana Nunez will teach Spanish at Housatonic Valley Regional High School. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in French and Spanish at Bard College at Simon’s Rock and her Master of Arts degree in pedagogy at Middlebury College. She has taught in various private schools in the area and in Spain for seven years. Nunez lives in Great Barrington. Salary: $55,809

Paula Cote will be a special education long-term substitute at Housatonic Valley Regional High School. A resident of Pine Plains, she is a graduate of Edinboro University. She received her Bachelor of Science degree with dual certification of elementary education and special education in Pennsylvania. Most recently, Paula was a long-term special education substitute at Sharon Center School. Salary: a long-term substitute at the BA 1 level is paid $232.35 per day.

Samantha Eisenberg is a new  guidance counselor at Housatonic Valley Regional High School. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in human development and family study and her Master of Arts degree in educational psychology and school counseling from the University of Connecticut. She worked at Coleytown Middle School as a counseling intern and at A Child’s Place in Westport as a head teacher. She is a resident of Fairfield. Salary: $55,809

Julia “jac” Cohn will teach technology for kindergarten to grade eight and math for grades seven and eight at the Lee H. Kellogg School in Falls Village. She received her bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and her master’s degree in technology education from Fitchburg State University. She was previously employed with Tremont School as a STEM teacher, where she developed courses for teaching computer skills and problem-solving through the study of electronics and engineering design. Salary: $34,512

Danbury resident Ellen Diker is the new art teacher at Kent Center School. She received her bachelor’s degree in fine arts (with a dual concentration in art education and studio art) from The College of St. Rose and her Master of Science degree in elementary education from the University of Bridgeport. Prior to coming to Region One, she taught art at Bedford Middle School. Salary: $51,44

Michael Spalinger will teach middle school math at Kent Center School. He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration at Bryant University and his master’s degree in middle school education from the University of Bridgeport. He lives in Torrington, where he was a fifth-grade regular education teacher. Salary: $60,470

Cindy Willson will teach social studies in grades seven and eight at Kent Center School. A resident of New Milford, she received her bachelor’s degree in marketing at Bentley College and her master’s degree in elementary education from the University of Bridgeport. She previously worked at Kent Center School as an enrichment paraprofessional; she planned, coordinated and taught enrichment lessons to students in grades three to six. Salary: $45,244

Rachel Barger will teach fifth and sixth grade at North Canaan Elementary School. She is a resident of Falls Village and is a graduate of Housatonic Valley Regional High School. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and her Master of Arts degree in elementary education at Quinnipiac University. Barger recently moved back to Connecticut from Virginia, where she lived for nearly 10 years. She has a total of 11 years teaching experience in fifth, third and second grades. Salary: $62,640

Linda Tanuis is the new school psychologist at North Canaan Elementary School. Tanuis received her associate’s degree in liberal arts at Teikyo University, her master’s degree in school psychology at Fairfield University and her sixth-year diploma in educational administration at the University of Connecticut. She has worked for the Capital Region Education Council at Crosby High School as a school psychologist. She is certified by the state of Connecticut in intermediate administration and supervision. She lives in Bethlehem. Salary: $79,244

Ashley Ledbetter, right, is the new special education teacher at North Canaan Elementary School. The Avon resident received a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts at Kaplan University and a master’s degree in special education at the University of Connecticut. She previously worked at the FOCUS Center for Autism as a direct care staff member. She is certified by the state of Connecticut in comprehensive special education for grades kindergarten to 12. Salary: $46,980

Mallory Calbrese will once again be at Salisbury Central School as a long-term substitute in fourth grade.

Chris Hanley, who has been teaching art at the Lee H. Kellogg School in Falls Village, will also be teaching at Cornwall Consolidated School.