We are delighted to welcome some new teachers to FWSU this year. We asked them lots of questions and over the next few weeks, we will be introducing them to our readers.
CHRISTOPHER COWEY
Teaching Assignment: High School Math Teacher
School: BFA Fairfax
Hometown: South Burlington, VT
Alma Mater: Castleton University
Teaching Experience: First-Year Teacher
Why You Chose Teaching: To see the spark in the student’s eyes when they reach that pivotal “Ah Ha!” moment.
Hobbies/Interests: Team Sports, Strategic Games, Fishing, Camping, Kayaking, Golf, Skiing, Traveling
Little Known Fact About You: I have owned 4 cars, all of which have been Volvos.
Accomplishment you are most proud of (so far!): Starting my career in a warm and welcoming community that I know will foster growth as a teacher.
Wellness Lifestyle Tip: Don’t be afraid to ask for help!!!
Fun Summer Memory: Traveling to Ecuador with my family!
A Few Favorite Things: Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots, Celtics, Duke Basketball
Quotable: “Ask more than you answer.”
KATHLEEN PELLEGRINO
Teaching Assignment: First and Second Grade Teacher
School: Fletcher Elementary School
Hometown: Bomoseen, VT
Alma Mater/Degrees Earned: Castleton University, Bachelors in Elementary Education with minor in science.
Teaching Experience: About half-a-year as a maternity leave long-term substitute
Why You Chose Teaching: Watching as new learning concepts “click” with children is one of the best feelings in the world!
Hobbies/Interests: Ice fishing, traveling, being on the lake in the summer, stockcar races, the Pond Hill Ranch Rodeo, spending time with my Dad, gardening (small succulents indoors), cows, Shark Week, the Boston Red Sox, country music, the color pink, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, softball (playing and coaching)
Little Known Fact About You: I’ve gone by “KT” since I was 2 weeks old. K for Kathleen and T for Theresa; my middle name.
Accomplishment you are most proud of (so far!): Landing this teaching job in such a sweet little school and district full of rockstars. Also, I caught a 14 lb northern pike last winter which is the biggest fish I’ve ever caught so that was pretty big news.
Wellness Lifestyle Tip: Drink a gallon of water a day!
Fun Summer Memory: Shania Twain concert in July!
A Few Favorite Things: Chicken Parmesan, Oreos, flowers (Lilacs especially), The Lorax, country music, autumn, 4 wheeling, apple picking, snowman building, visiting my family and friends near and far. Did I mention my love for CHRISTMAS? I love Christmas decorating, Christmas movies, traveling to see Christmas lights, celebrating Chrismas!
Quotable: “When given the choice between being right and being kind; choose kind.” I love the book Wonder!
MOLLY FOREMAN
Teaching Assignment: Preschool Teacher
School: BFA Fairfax Elementary
Hometown: Bomoseen, VT
Alma Mater/Degrees Earned: S.U.N.Y Cortland, B.S Elementary Education, Antioch New England Graduate School, M.Ed.
Teaching Experience: This will be my 19th year of teaching.
Why You Chose Teaching: I enjoy making personal connections with students.
Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with my family, reading, being outside
Little Known Fact About You: I have been to 49 of the 50 states
Accomplishment you are most proud of (so far!): The family my husband and I have created.
Wellness Lifestyle Tip: Be kind
Fun Summer Memory: Camping at the ocean
A Few Favorite Things: My family, Bruce Springsteen, the ocean
Quotable: “Love is all you need.”
BLYTHE BASKETTE
Teaching Assignment: FWSU EEE Special Educator
School: Fletcher Elementary School
Hometown: Haworth, NJ
Alma Mater: Sarah Lawrence College
Teaching Experience: Several years
Why You Chose Teaching: Love kids
Hobbies/Interests: Reading
Little Known Fact About You: I love my beagle.
Accomplishment you are most proud of (so far!): Scholarship I won from church!
Wellness Lifestyle Tip: Walking is great
Fun Summer Memory: The lake
A Few Favorite Things: Netflix
Quotable: “Try. Try. Try again!”
HEATHER BROWN
Teaching Assignment: 6th Grade Language Arts
School: Georgia Elementary Middle School
Hometown: Fairfax, VT
Alma Mater: Bachelor: Saint Michael’s College Masters: Southern New Hampshire University
Teaching Experience: 7 years
Why You Chose Teaching: I love working with kids. I love their excitement and the energy they bring everyday. It’s really important to me to listen to them, learn about their lives, and help shape them into respectful and responsible adults.
Hobbies/Interests: Read, Crochet, Garden, anything with my kids!
Little Known Fact About You: I played softball in college.
Accomplishment you are most proud of (so far!): I’m so proud of my two kids: Jackson (3) Kaylee (1). I’ve also recently completed my Masters in Education, which I’m proud of as it was a huge undertaking the last three years with raising a family as well.
Wellness Lifestyle Tip: It’s easily forgotten, but I like to take time to appreciate beauty in nature, especially here in Vermont. It’s so easily overlooked!
Fun Summer Memory: We vacationed in Maine this summer. It was our first large family vacation, 12 of us in all. We rented a house and it was lots of fun!
A Few Favorite Things: My favorite thing is spending time with my family.
Quotable: “Embrace each day. We don’t know what the future may hold.”
The FWSU Story 
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