Meet Our Staff
Kate Josef, Principal
About Me: This is my sixth year as Principal at Bakersville and my 19th year in Manchester as an educator. I absolutely LOVE our Bakersville School community! When I am not working I love to exercise, be outdoors, play games, listen to music, read, spend time with family/friends and travel. Most especially, I love to spend time with my three children, my fiancé, and our golden retriever.
My Favorite Book: The Napping House by Audrey Wood
Bryan Watson, Assistant Principal
About Me: I love to fish, swim, golf and spend time with my family! I love my job and all of our wonderful students.
My Favorite Book: Anything by Dr. Suess
About Me: Hi everybody! My name is Molly Lyons. I am looking forward to sharing the school year with you. I am married to my husband of 34 years and have 3 adult children. I enjoy hiking, relaxing by the sea shore and exploring all New Hampshire has to offer. I love spending time with my family, reading to my grandson and walking our family dog, Finn. Preschoolers are my passion. I have educated preschool children for 18 years. I can’t wait to get to know each and every one of you!
My Favorite Book: The Whales' Song by Dyan Sheldon
Maureen Lyons, Title 1 Preschool Reading Supervisor
I am thrilled to be working with your children. Through my love of Language Arts and 15 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, I am eager to engage your children in early literacy instruction at Bakersville Title 1 Preschool. Your children will focus on oral language as well as knowledge of letter sounds, letter names, rhyme, numbers, print knowledge, pre-writing skills, book use, and much, much more!
Journey with us as we learn many favorite childhood poems, numerous children’s stories, and lots of interactive songs and dances. Preschool is a wonderful, fun-filled time in a child’s life. Get ready to explore the wonderful world of Language Arts with your children, their teachers, and ME!
I enjoy creating a safe, comfortable, nurturing, and happy learning environment for the earliest learners at Bakersville Preschool from the moment they enter our doors every day.
Here are ways I could be of help to you or your child:
Be a link between home, school, and the community.
Help students and their families find the resources they need.
Serve as a support to students and their families when social, emotional, or behavioral concerns interfere with school performance.
Work together with parents to develop strategies for effective parenting.
Promote good attendance and offer assistance to students and families to reach this goal.
Work together with parents/guardians to promote family involvement at school.
I welcome your questions, concerns, and suggestions... it is all about working together!
Kate Kelly, Social Worker
About me: I love my job as the Title 1 preschool social worker. It is exciting to be a partner with parents as their child starts their school experience. My job includes working collaboratively to build a strong school-home partnership and connecting families to available resources. Life in preschool is exciting!
In my time away from work I love being at the ocean, kayaking, hiking and spending time with family and friends.
My Favorite Book: Frog & Toad stories by Arnold Lobel
Jo-Ann Mulligan, Speech and Language Specialist
About Me: I have been married to my husband Bob for 35 years. Our family includes our two grown children, Emily and Michael and their partners, John and Victoria. We adopted an 8 year old beagle named Buddy a year ago and he immediately claimed every soft chair and sofa in the house! When I’m not walking Buddy I love to read science fiction (especially when it involves time travel), sew and put puzzles together. I first came to the Manchester School District in 1992 as a Speech & Language Specialist at the preschool and I was hooked! I love working with preschool children and never get tired of the funny, serious and very thoughtful things that they say.
My favorite Book: I read my first chapter book in second grade. It was a biography about Helen Keller. I remember being so engrossed in the story that I got special permission to stay in at recess time all by myself to finish it. To this day, Helen Keller is one of my heroes, but not just because she learned to communicate as a person who is both deaf and blind. As an adult she advocated for people with disabilities and for women's rights. Also, she loved her dogs.
Classroom One
Sarah Gerome, Classroom Teacher
About Me: This will be my 7th year teaching preschool. I’m married and a mother of 2 young children. I love making memories with my family and friends. As a family we love going camping, to the beach, and experiencing new adventures together! I also love reading, exercising, and crafting.
My favorite Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Nadia Beaupre, Classroom Teacher
About me: I like spending time with my friends and family, dogs, music, the color purple, relaxing by the lake, and watching football, hockey, and movies.
My Favorite Book: Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin and James Dean
Classroom Two
Heather Bourgeois, Classroom Teacher
About Me: Hello! I'm Miss Heather and I have been a preschool teacher for over ten years. I enjoy activities that allow me to be creative and active, and I love incorporating these types of activities into the classroom. I am especially passionate about dancing. I enjoy taking classes and teaching others how to dance. When I'm not teaching I find joy in painting , reading, and working in my garden. Looking forward to another great year at Bakersville!
My Favorite Book: The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
Lori Zibel, Classroom Teacher / Special Education
About Me: Hi! My name is Lori and I am so excited to be joining the Bishop O'Neil Preschool team. Outside of school I enjoy spending time with family, especially my nephews who are in elementary school. We enjoy hiking and going to the beach. My most favorite food is ice cream, I love trying new flavors, but always love the classics like cookie dough.
My Favorite Book: Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne
Classroom Three
Anne Farley, Classroom Teacher
About Me: Hello, my preschool friends call me "Ms. Anne". I love teaching preschool at the BOC with Ms. Jen because everyday we learn something new and have so much fun. We read books, draw pictures, explore materials and even do cool science experiments! Best of all, we make new friends as we work and play together. This is why I love being a preschool teacher!
My Favorite Book: The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams
Jennifer Bailey. Classroom Teacher
About Me: Hello everyone! I’ve been part of Bakersville for about 20 years! This will be my third year at the BOC preschool. I enjoy creating a fun learning experience for students’ first years at school. When I’m not at school I enjoy spending time with friends, going to concerts, planting, going to the beach, and relaxing with my cat. I look forward to meeting everyone and to see our returning friends!
My Favorite Book: Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson
Unified Arts
Ms. A,
Physical Education
About Me: This will be my 5th year as part of the Bakersville family and my 1st year at the Bishop O'Neil Center. I have taught both Health and Physical Education. As a student, gym was always my favorite class. I love that I get to teach it everyday. Outside of school I enjoy playing with my dog, cooking, reading, and staying active.
My Favorite Book: The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
Mrs. Berg, Librarian
About Me: One of my favorite things to do is to read stories to our students. I cannot wait to begin spending time with our youngest learners.
My Favorite Book: I Love You the Purplest by Barbara M. Joosse
