PALS Classroom

 

Class overview

Pals (Primary Academic Learning Skills)is a district-wide program housed at Matthew Thornton School. This comprehensive program provides full day curriculum access to students with complex low incident and/or medically based disabilities requiring full day programming for FAPE for grades 1-5. The program’s focus is on academic, communication, and social and functional skills. Direct instruction occurs in specific academic, speech/language, fine/gross motor, activities of daily living (ADLs), life skills, and social functioning. Ancillary services are available for vision, hearing, alternative augmentative communication (AAC), and behavior, as needed. These services occur within the special education setting, as well as grade level classrooms. 

 

 

 

 About Us:

Kathleen Poirier-Goodall:

Hello! My name is Kathleen Poirier-Goodall and I work as a teacher/case manager for the PALS program for the last 7 years. I am so excited this year to teach the Lifeskills class in the program and bring my skills of working with medically complex, low incidence, and intellectually disabled students. I look forward to working with all of the students.

Feel free to contact me at:
kpoirier-goodall@londonderry.org


Brian Weigler:

This is my second year in the PALS Classroom at Matthew Thornton Elementary.  I have worked with children with varying degrees of disabilities in the Pelham, NH and Timberlane School Districts.  

You can reach me at: bweigler@londonderry.org

Emily Sharp:

I am excited to join team PALS this year! This is my fourth year teaching in an elementary special education program. I am looking forward to using my experience with similar populations to positively impact PALS students families.

You can reach me at: esharp@londonderry.org

  

  

Nicole Bernier, OTR/L:

Hello! My name is Nicole Bernier, and I am the Occupational Therapist for the PALS/Mini PALS program. This is my 6th year in PALS and 6th year in the district. Feel free to contact me at nmbernier@londonderry.org 

Kathleen Mosowitz, MS, CCC-SLP

Hello! Although my formal name is Kathleen, everyone calls me Kathy.  I am the part-time Speech-Language Pathologist for the PALS program. I have worked in PALS since it's inception and have seen the growth and positive changes that have been made throughout the years.  I have worked in Londonderry since 1990 although I did move away for two years and then returned. I am so excited for to see the returning students and to meet the incoming First Graders!  Please contact me at kmosowitz@londonderry.org for any questions that you may have!