Meet The Creators

Christin Gingras has worked at Williamstown Elementary School as a special education teacher in charge of the Essential Skills Program since 2017. Prior to beginning her professional career at WES, Christin worked as a special education teacher for the Pittsfield Public Schools.

Christin studied special education and reading instruction at Westfield State University, graduating in 2016 with her license in teaching students with Moderate Disabilities in grades Pre-K - 8. It was through her teaching in Pittsfield and Williamstown that she also obtained her license in teaching students with Severe Disabilities at all levels.

Christin firmly believes that all students, regardless of learning, behavioral, and social differences have the ability to learn and succeed beyond our expectations.

Her work and career are truly the root inspiration for this capstone project as she embarks on completing her M.Ed program at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

While their teaching and careers are important to Christin & Kayla, they both believe in they importance of self care and pacing themselves in an effort to elevate symptoms of occupational burnout.

It is the sincere hope that this resource guide will help other educators and professionals maintain a healthy balance between their work and their home lives supporting the longevity and happiness of amazing special educators like you!

Contact: cgingras@williamstownelementary.org

Kayla Tarjick has worked as a paraprofessional at Williamstown Elementary school since 2017. She obtained her Elementary Education license in 2016, and her Moderate Disabilities license in December 2019. Prior to her work at WES, Kayla student-taught in the Pittsfield Public Schools in a third grade classroom.

Kayla's interest in fostering the well-being and success of both students and those who teach them inspired this Capstone project at the end of her M.Ed. program at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. It is the hope of both Kayla and Christin that their collaborative effort will help inspire positivity and enthusiasm for the world around us and for the work we get to do each day.

Just as the most important goal in her teaching is for all students to feel valued and enthusiastic about life and learning, Kayla feels the same should hold true for those who teach them.

Kayla's personal favorite way to relax and rejuvenate is through exploring. To this end, she enjoys reading, the ocean, exploring old cemeteries, and chasing waterfalls.

Contact: ktarjick@williamstownelementary.org