Who's New at Caroline?!

This school year we are lucky to receive a whole bunch of amazing new adults at Caroline!  Read below to learn some information about the new faces you may see!

Mr. McDonald, Principal

Why I wanted to become a teacher/principal: Because I love children, love to have fun with them, and want to make a difference in their lives.

My hobbies include playing/coaching/watching football and spending time with my family

If I were an animal, I’d be an eagle, because when they fly into a storm, they use it to rise above and overcome the turbulent weather.

Ms. Graw (Ms. Emily), 1st Grade Teacher

Why I wanted to become a teacher: I believe every child has the right to an education, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, gender, and/or culture.

My hobbies include reading, traveling, and collecting treasures from around the world

If I were an animal, I’d be a bird, able to soar high, yet humble enough to land on the ground and appreciate her source of sustenance.

Mr. Beigel, 3^rd Grade Teacher

Why I wanted to become a teacher: When I was a teenager, I started working at a summer camp.  I really enjoyed it, and decided it was something I wanted to pursue, so I did that for five summers!  Then at the end of it, I decided that teaching was something I wanted to pursue as an extension of my experiences, and so far it's been really good!  I like having an impact, seeing kids grow, watching the change that takes place through the year, and I like the connections that are made.

My hobbies include spending time with my family (I have three children!) and see them grow, running, skiing, reading, and playing guitar. 

If I were an animal, I’d be a Golden Retriever, because I like to be happy, and I think Golden Retriever are typically happy dogs, and great family members!  They're fun to be around, and I try to be a people-person.  (Plus they like to run around outside and play, and I like to do that too!)

Mr. Graham, 4^th Grade Teacher

Why I wanted to become a teacher: I used help my younger nieces who were in elementary school do their homework.  They did not understand how to do multiplication and I helped them over the weekends to make sure they understood it.  When they both did well on their math tests, it made me feel good to know that I had a hand o their education.  They are my inspiration for becoming a teacher.  

My hobbies include playing the piano, reading books centered around education, and watching good movies with my wife.

If I were an animal, I’d be the Golden Lion Tamarin, because they are tiny but fierce little mammals!

Mrs. Badeau, Special Education Teacher

Why I wanted to become a teacher: I love watching children learn and being part of that experience.  There is something amazing about seeing a child’s face light up when they learn something new or if they suddenly understand it.

My hobbies include reading, writing, scrapbooking, painting, downhill skiing

If I were an animal, I’d be a bird because you see the world from a whole new perspective.  I also love to travel, so flying wherever and whenever I want would be awesome!

Ms. Allee, English Language Arts Teacher

Why I wanted to become a teacher: I have always enjoyed working with children.  I used to teach kids to swim, but I got waterlogged so now I teach them to read!

My hobbies include swimming, running, reading, cooking, playing with my kids

If I were an animal, I’d be a dolphin because I want to live in the ocean!

Mr. Zulu, Math Teacher’s Assistant

Why I wanted to become a teacher: I struggled with reading and writing myself as a child, and after working with high school-ers who felt like they were stuck being “bad” at reading and writing, I wanted to reach out to the elementary level to help them with their skills and confidence.

My hobbies include basketball, reading

If I were an animal, I’d be a salamander, because I adjust to different situations, whether on water or land!

Ms. Notarianni, Music Teacher

Why I wanted to become a teacher:  I've wanted to be a teacher for my entire life-- it's a joy to be a part of learning.  Plus, kids ROCK.

My hobbies include reading, telling stories, and being outside.  In addition, traditional social dancing has always been a part of my life-- contra dancing, English Longsword and Clog Morris teams, and waltzes.  When I lived in New England: Appalachian clogging, and when I lived in Kentucky: Southern Squares.  Now it's Lindy and West Coast swing dancing here in Ithaca.  I also travel to Louisiana to visit my musician friends and dance to Cajun and Zydeco music down there.  It's lots of fun as well as being a direct link to our living American heritage of traditional music and dance.  
   Of course....I also like to play music of all kinds (good thing, since I'm a music teacher!) with my friends, in bands, and by myself-- on piano, banjo, uke, guitar, concertina, and fiddle.

If I were an animal, I’d be... When I taught on the Navajo Indian Reservation,  I liked seeing how fast and silently coyotes move, and how splendidly eagles soar.  But I think it would also be awesome to be a dragon-- I mean, come on, being able to breathe fire?  How cool is that?  Not to mention swift horses and fierce tigers.  Hmmm....so many choices...

Ms. Bintz, Music Teacher

Why I wanted to become a teacher: I’ve known for awhile (since I was about 10) that I wanted to be a teacher!  I want to make people love music as much as I do!

My hobbies include hiking, food, singing, watching movies, traveling, and riding rollercoasters!

If I were an animal, some days I would want to be a bunny!  Other days I wish I could be an owl so I could fly and hang around at night.



Also, welcome back Ms. Goodmark, returning to Caroline as a 2nd grade teacher!  And Miss Coffey joined the special education team at Caroline!