Reading Team

My name is Kim Dougherty and I am currently the reading specialist at Mountainside Intermediate School. As the reading specialist, I work with our Title I team, special educators and classroom teachers to support literacy instruction in the building. I love spending my days reading with students. Previously, I was a reading specialist and sixth grade teacher at John Fuller School and special education teacher in Rhode Island, where I grew up. 

I attended Rhode Island College for my undergraduate degree and Plymouth State College for my master’s degree. 

I live in Jackson with my husband and my son. As a family, we enjoy hiking with our dog and golfing.

Hi, My name is Kaaren Whitley. I am a Title I teacher at Mountainside Intermediate School. After settling in the valley in 1996 with my two children, I began my career in education with SAU 9 as a certified paraprofessional in 1998. Over 12 years I raised two amazing humans, went back to college and maintained a fulltime work schedule as a para.  In 2010, I earned a teaching certificate in Elementary Ed K-8 and Special Ed.  I’ve taught fourth and fifth grade for 8 years before transferring to the Title I teacher position in 2018.  

I am grateful for the opportunity to build relationships and contribute to wonderfully unique school communities.

When I’m away from work, I enjoy going on outdoor adventures, mostly in the valley.  Hiking, cross country skiing, and riding my road bike are a few ways I chose to spend my free time.

My name is Andrea Willson. I started teaching during the 2013-2014 school year. I completed my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education at University of Maine, Farmington. I completed my master's degree in 2020 from the University of New England and became certified as a Reading Specialist. During the school year, I love helping students crack the code of English and learn to read. 

Outside of school, I love to travel, ski, hike, backpack, and canoe (sometimes even some whitewater)!