STAFF DEVELOPER’S MESSAGE
I was hired in the summer of 1991 to teach first grade at the Lombard School in SAD 30. My nine years in that classroom were very enjoyable. The thrill of watching children learn to read, write and do simple math has never lost its magic for me. One year, when our district couldn’t find a music teacher, I agreed to teach music K-8 – what an exciting year that was! It was interesting to work with students at all ages. They kept me on my toes [and not just when we were dancing!].
Since the fall of 2001 I have been the Staff Developer for our district. The job is ever-changing as we work to align our curriculum to state standards, administer standardized tests to measure our success at meeting those standards, plan instruction based on students’ performance on these assessments and plan professional development opportunities for our staff.
I also write and monitor the No Child Left Behind grant which provides our district with funding through federal title programs. Part of this work includes Lee Academy, as they are recipients of some of the funding as well.
I still enjoy visiting classrooms and having direct contact with students, though most of my work is done behind the scenes. I am glad to answer any questions you may have about the tests we administer, the state’s learning standards, and professional development.
I am a longtime resident of Lee, where I live with my husband Thom Knowles in a timber framed house we built on Slipper Ridge, which rises above Merrill Pond in the middle of the woods nearby. Thom and I also own Home on the Grange, the former Forest Grange Hall in Lee, where we promote music and the arts and house the Village Ice Cream Parlor and the Artisans’ Store.
Jane Scanlon