All students in the Harwood Unified Union School District returned to the classroom with their teachers, administrators, and support staff on August 27. HUUSD superintendent Dr. Mike Leichliter said that 1,735 PK-12 students are in classes this week.
Last year the district’s official enrollment on October 1 was 1,751. That is the day when districts count and report enrollment to the state. Leichliter said earlier this week that there were still 12 pending enrollments.
At the end of the day we will be pretty steady again this year,” Leichliter said.
There are multiple new educators and staffers in the district. Here are pics and information from five of six new hires.
FOXX
Elaine Foxx, Waitsfield, is a new preschool teacher in Warren. She has MA/MS degrees, along with graduate credits and attended URI and Hunter College. Six months ago, she was on maternity leave and she comes to the district from Twinfield Union.
“I have wanted to work in the school district I live in for many years. When this job opened up I was excited to apply,” she said about joining HUUSD. She said she is looking forward to starting a new chapter in a new school and community. “I am very excited to get to know the children and families and the culture of a new school,” Foxx said.
SMITH
Aimee Smith, Duxbury, is joining the district as a fifth-grade teacher at Crossett Brook Middle School. She attended Vermont State University and has an MS/MA. Prior to joining the district, she was in a graduate program and substitute teaching at Brookside Primary School.
She said she is joining this district to work in her community. “I care deeply about the children and families that I have worked with since 2020,” she said.
I’m looking forward to my first year as a classroom teacher and spending more time with my children now that I have finished my degree,” she added.
POPOLI
Anthony Popoli, Montpelier, is joining Brookside Primary School as a school counselor. He has an MA/MS and additional graduate credits and attended Appalachian State University. He comes to the district from Twinfield Union.
He said it was time for a change and when the opportunity arose to join the district it felt serendipitous.
“I’m looking forward to learning the community, the families that make it go and the staff I will be working alongside,” he said.
KOEHLE
Gavin Koehle, Barre, is joining Harwood Union Middle School as a seventh-grade math teacher. He attended Keene State College and has a BA/BS as well as post-graduate credits. Prior to joining the district, he was teaching at Spaulding High School.
He said the Harwood position fit perfectly with his life plans and “I left my demo lesson really excited.”
“I really hope that seventh grade is a better fit for me than high school,” he added.
BORDJADZE
Jacqueleen Bordjadze, Burlington, is a new high school English and social studies teacher at Harwood Union High School. She has an MA/MS from Ohio State University. Prior to joining the district, she was doing her student teaching at Harwood and completing her MAT at UVM.
“I loved being a student teacher at Harwood HS, and felt deeply supported from all corners of the building. This is a beautiful place to work and I'm happy to be a part of the work Harwood High School is doing,” she said.
“Cliche though it may be, I'm looking forward to hours outside in the trees this fall, spending time biking around Burlington, and getting to know the awesome ninth graders at Harwood Union High School,” she added.
Jessica Lague is a new occupational therapist in the district. Other new staff members include:
- Carla Tepper – administrative assistant, Moretown.
- Emily Boccio – food service, Fayston.
- Abbigail Boyd – RIVERS behavioral support, Brookside.
- Samuel Grandfield – assistant athletic director, Harwood.
- Dalia Lietuvninkas – instructional assistant, Brookside.
- Kristy Sansone – instructional assistant, Harwood.
The HUUSD board met for the first time this school year on August 27.
