Faculty & Staff

Mary Guggenberger, Principal

What makes KES a special place?

A collaborative team of educators, partnering with parents to educate the curious minds of children in a safe, secure, and nurturing environment.

Education Includes:

BA Business

MA Education

Accomplishments & Activities:

WCSU Administrative Team
Educational Support Team Leader
KES Crisis Team
Non Violent Crisis Prevention Intervention

Margaret Allen, Admin. Asst. to the Principal

mallen@wcsu.net ext: 1310

what makes kes a special place?

Our students, teachers, parents and staff work together to create a supportive environment that allows everyone in the community to thrive.

Education Includes:

BA in Economics and History

MBA

Accomplishments & Activities:

Non Violent Crisis Prevention Intervention
Teaching Essential Worker's children on Wednesdays

Amy Simonds, 6th Grade Teacher

asimonds@wcsu.net ext: 1325

What makes KES a special place?

Teachers work together to develop enriching curriculum that truly meets the needs of each student; students work creatively and enthusiastically across all grade levels.

Education Includes:

BS in Education: History Concentration

Accomplishments & Activities:

Talent Show Co-Coordinator
Performing Arts Director
Johns Hopkins Scholar Leadership Placement
Middle School Transition Team
Student Council Advisor
6th Grade Class Council Advisor

Allison Gormly, 5th Grade Teacher

anaugle@wcsu.net ext: 1317

What makes KES a special place?

Our students are hard working, motivated, and creative. Our parents and community are supportive and involved. KES is a place where everyone feels comfortable, safe, and confident to try new things and be the best that they can be.

Education Includes:

BA in Education

MA in Curriculum & Instruction

Accomplishments & Activities:

Summer Enrichment Educator
Positive Behavior Intervention & Supports Coordinator
Literature Lunch Club Co-Coordinator
Performing Arts Stage Design & Management
Non Violent Crisis Prevention Intervention
Faculty Advisory Committee

Mercy Grinold, 4th Grade Teacher

mgrinold@wcsu.net ext: 1318

What makes KES a special place?

The teaching and learning community make KES a very special place to teach. I feel supported by wonderful colleagues, students with a love of learning, and caring parents. I also love that our KES community loves to be in the outdoors! We value playing and working in our beautiful surroundings!

Education Includes:

BA in Japanese, Minor in Environmental Studies. Post-Bacc ElementaryTeaching Certificate. 30 years of teaching experience grades K-6.

Accomplishments & Activities:

maple sugaring and snorkeling in the White River with 4th graders.

Megan Schindler, 3rd Grade Teacher

mschindler@wcsu.net Ext 1319

What makes KES a special place?

In many ways, it was a dream come true to join the KES family in 2020. I deeply appreciate sharing a love of the mountains and outdoor recreation with this community. The staff here are welcoming, supportive, and down-to-earth. I am grateful to be in a community of teaching experts who are so intently focused on helping students become the best young people they can be.

Education Includes:

BA in Elementary Education; Psychology Concentration

MA in Curriculum and Development (Expected Graduation 2023)

Specialized Reading Professional (Certification Expected 2023)

Accomplishments & Activities:

WCSU Deeper Learning Elementary Facilitator
Upper Valley Outdoor Educators PLC

Holly Getty, 2nd Grade Teacher

hgetty@wcsu.net ext: 1320

What makes KES a special place?

Joining the KES team in 2015, I have felt very welcomed and supported from the moment I first walked through the door. I have enjoyed all of the students, teachers, administrators, and parents that I have met. I look forward to working together for the best interests of each and every student.

Education Includes:

BA in Government; minor Education

Masters of Education

Accomplishments & Activities:

PATH Wellness Leader
Non Violent Crisis Prevention Intervention

Lisa Laird, 1st Grade Teacher

llaird@wcsu.net ext: 1324

What makes KES a special place?

We are a dedicated team putting the needs of each child first. I feel fortunate to work with a talented group of teachers who go above and beyond in everything they do, planning lessons together and brainstorming to move students forward in their learning and social development.

Education Includes:

BS in Consumer Affairs

Masters of Arts in Education

Accomplishments & Activities:

WCSU Licensing Board Representative
Non Violent Crisis Prevention Intervention
PBIS Targeted Team Member
Literacy Equity Team

Melissa Knipes, Kindergarten Teacher

mknipes@wcsu.net ext: 1323

what makes KES a special place?

At KES, we meet the needs of all our students. The staff works closely together to determine support and enrichment within the curriculum. We work with parents so their child(ren) can achieve academic success. We also offer a variety of "specials" (gym, music, Spanish, art) and fine arts opportunities. KES is the place to be.

Education Includes:

BS in Elementary & Special Education

Masters of Art: Reading

Accomplishments & Activities:

Summer Enrichment Educator
Talent Show Co-Coordinator
KES Performing Arts Choreographer
KES Instrumental Lesson Support
WCSU K-12 Assessment Team Member
Non Violent Crisis Prevention Intervention
Kindergarten Educational Support Team
WCEA Building Representative

Jodi LeBrun, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

jlebrun@wcsu.net ext: 1328

What makes KES a special place?

KES is a small school with a big heart. The staff and families are so supportive and all work as a team to create the best education possible for our students. I am excited to join the KES family and continue inspiring young learners!

Education Includes:

BS in Elementary Education

ME in Early Childhood Education

Accomplishments & Activities:

PATH Wellness Leader

Sarah Penna, Music Educator

spenna@wcsu.net ext: 1330

What makes KES a special place?

KES is such a joyful school that really celebrates the whole child. The importance of play and hands-on learning is really valued here. Students have the opportunity to learn while still being children. Everybody here is incredibly welcoming and nurturing. I couldn't be happier to be working here and guiding KES students on their musical journey!

Education Includes:

BM in Music Education, piano and voice concentration

Accomplishments & Activities:

Band Director
NCUR 2021 Presenter
Judith Green Memorial Prize for Excellence in Writing About Music

Michelle Hough, Art Educator

mhough@wcsu.net Ext 1330

What makes kes a special place?

Education Includes:

BFA in Textile Design/Fiber Arts

Concentration in Computer-Aided Design and Printmaking

Accomplishments & Activities:

Therapeutic Art
Designer Festival of Trees KES

Kelly Turner, Spanish Educator

kturner@wcsu.net Ext 1316

what makes kes a special place?

There's a strong sense of community here where students, families, faculty, and staff can and do work closely to provide the best education possible for our students.

Education Includes:

B.A. in Adolescent Education, Elementary Education, and Spanish

Greg LaBella, Physical Education

glabella@wcsu.net ext: 1321

What makes KES a special place?

Community and school staff work closely together with a good focus on healthy activity. I enjoy getting to know the children of our community and being a part of their early physical development.

Education Includes:

BS in Education

Accomplishments & Activities:

KES Trailblazers' Ski/Ride On-Hill Coordinator
Jump Rope for Heart

Eileen Vaughn, Library/Media Specialist

evaughn@wcsu.net ext: 1322

What makes KES a special place?

The level of professionalism and initiative is outstanding. Innovative approaches to teaching are always being explored while maintaining the best practices in teaching methods.

Education Includes:

BA in English Literature

Library Media Specialist VT Endorsement

Accomplishments & Activities:

KES Technology Team
WCSU Technology Committee
KES Literature Lunch Co-Coordinator
Daily Artist & Exhibitor at Artistree

Shayna Kalnitsky, Instructional Coach and Interventionist

skalnitsky@wcsu.net ext: 1341

What makes KES a special place?

Coming to work here each day is like coming home to family. We embrace a "can do", "all hands on deck" approach to do whatever it takes for a student to be successful. That same attribute holds true amongst the staff as they support each other within KES.

Education Includes:

BA in English and Psychology, Rutgers University

MST Mathematics, Statistics and Math Leadership, UVM

Accomplishments & Activities:

2018 NCTM Professionalism in Mathematics Grant
All Learners Network Facilitator
WCSU Math Strategic Planning Team
WCSU Reading Strategic Planning Team
Math Equity Team
Data Literacy Team

Peg Fothergill, Special Educator

pfothergill@wcsu.net ext:

what makes kes a special place?

Education Includes:

BA in

MA in

Accomplishments & Activities:

Mary Dolan, School Counselor

mdolan@wcsu.net ext: 1315

What makes KES a special place?

Relationships. We are a community of unique individuals who teach, learn, work, play, and grow together. We care for one another - students, staff, community- and it shows.

Education Includes:

B.A. in Art

M.A. in Counseling

PK-12 School Counselor Certification

Accomplishments & Activities:

Educational Support/504 Team
PBIS Targeted Coordinator
KES Crisis Team
Non Violent Crisis Prevention Intervention

Amy Young, School Nurse

ayoung@wcsu.net ext: 1312

What makes KES a special place? KES is a family of educators working together to give our students what they need to succeed today and into the future as we instill the values of safety, Respect, and responsibility with the knowledge acquired each day.

Education Includes:

BSN, RN

Accomplishments & Activities: