We are pleased to introduce these amazing new educators at FWSU! Join us in welcoming them to our district.
ANDREA MILNE – PreK Teacher at GEMS
Hometown: Georgia
Hobbies/Interests: being with my family, cooking and reading
College(s) Attended: UVM and Union Institute and University
Teaching Experience: Preschool and Kindergarten Teacher
Quotable: “Second star to the right and straight on ‘til morning”- Peter Pan
MARCY PERROTTE, HS Special Educator at BFA
Hometown: Briarcliff, NY
Hobbies/Interests: I’m an adventurous home cook who loves to try cooking with new ingredients. In nice weather, you can find me cruising down the Burlington Bike Path or hiking up a mountain. In my down time, I’m often snuggling my cats or spending time with friends and family. I’m always ready to pick up a new book or newspaper article to read!
College(s) Attended: I attended Johnson State College and received my B.A. in Theater Arts. Currently, I am enrolled in the Saint Michael’s College Special Education graduate program and expect to complete my studies in May 2017.
Teaching Experience: I completed my student teaching in Theater Education at U-32 in Montpelier. After that, I worked at the Winooski School District for five years and had various roles as a third grade teacher’s assistant, speech and language aide for grades 3-12, and program support specialist in a self-contained, alternative middle school classroom. Additionally, I spent two summers teaching theater programs at Smuggler’s Notch Resort and The FlynnArts summer program.
Quotable: “The beautiful thing about learning, is that no one can take it away from you.” – B.B. King and “Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes them meaningful.” – Unknown
Why Teaching?: There is no other profession where I can have as much fun as I do teaching while also making a difference in the lives of others. Teaching allows me to play, learn, and share knowledge with others. I’m happy because every day is a new day to learn.
ERIN YOUNG – Grade 4 Teacher at GEMS
Hometown: Georgia, VT
Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, Outdoors, going to the beach, snowshoeing, technology, hanging out with family, bonfires, softball
College(s) Attended: University of Vermont (2005-2009), Southern New Hampshire University (Currently Enrolled)
Teaching Experience: I have taught for 5 years. I taught for 3 years in Pensacola, Florida and I taught in Jacksonville, North Carolina for 2 years.
Quotable: One of my favorite quotes that I had just come across… “Teachers have three loves: love of learning, love of learners, and the love of bringing the first two loves together.” -Scott Hayden
Why Teaching?: It is the most rewarding career. I get to work with children every day and learn alongside of them.
ANDREW JOHNSON – HS Social Studies Teacher at BFA
Hometown: Essex, Vermont
Hobbies/Interests: Board Games, Reading Sci-Fi\Fantasy Novels, Playing with my 2 kids, Leading Cub Scouts
College(s) Attended: University of Maine at Farmington
Teaching Experience: 3 years teaching World History at North Country Union High School in Newport, VT; 8 years teaching in Essex at ADL, Essex High, and Center for Technology, Essex.
Quotable: “Wherever you go in life, Brother, Whatever be your goal, Keep your eye on the doughnut, Not on the hole.” —Optimist’s Creed
Why Teaching?: I love teaching because it’s the way I get to share the amazing story of human history with all our remarkable achievements. I love telling students about our story, everyone’s story, and how we are a part of it. I enjoy opening students’ minds to where we are and how far we have come.
ELLEN KNOWLES, Speech Language Pathologist
Hometown: Newton, MA
Hobbies: hiking/nature walks, interior design, inventing new recipes and revamping classics in healthier ways.
Colleges Attended: University of Vermont, BA Psychology, University of Connecticut, MA Speech Language Pathology
Teaching experience: 14 years working in Early Intervention and school based settings in CT, MI, VA and VT as we moved around with the Coast Guard.
Quotable: “Integrity is everything.”
Why Education?: I am an SLP in the school: I am drawn to the collective environment and team work that goes into bringing out the best in children and maximizing their potential.
KAREN KRUPA – English Language Arts Teacher at BFA HS
Hometown: South Burlington, VT
Hobbies/Interests: running, biking, reading, cooking/baking, spending time outdoors
College(s) Attended: Salve Regina University, Newport, RI
Teaching Experience: 2 years
Quotable: “Readers are leaders”
Why Teaching?: I love school and always have. Teaching allows each day to be different and full of opportunities. Plus, teaching is just fun!
AMY RACICOT – French Teacher at BFA HS
Hometown: Colchester, VT
Hobbies/Interests: Crafts, Sewing, Cross-stitching, learning languages and cultures, traveling, biking, jogging
College attended: UVM for my Bachelors and St. Michael’s College for my Masters
Teaching Experience: 17 years of experience in public and private schools
Quotable: I love this quote because it shows we all have a purpose in life and a bright future to see ahead of us no matter where we are in our lives at the moment. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Why Teaching: It is rewarding to see young minds learn new skills and be there to provide some of the skills they are learning. I love to learn and it is exciting to help students find their drive to learn and explore as well.
KAITLIN SPANO – EEE Special Educator at FES
Hometown: Fairfax, VT
Hobbies/Interests: Running, gardening, outside activities, Spending time with my family
College(s) Attended: Undergrad- Rivier University, Graduate- UVM
Teaching Experience: I spent about 2 years working as a para at Burlington EEE first out of college, 4 years as a BI at NCSS, 2 years teaching PreK and 1st grade in Enosburg.
Quotable: “do what you love, love what you do”
Why Teaching?: Because It’s fun! Work should be fun and I love being the one to share the wonders of the world with our future!
The FWSU Story 