Welcome New Staff
Ellington Public Schools Welcomes New Staff for 2025-2026
Timothy Foster-Kibbler, Social Studies Teacher
Tim Foster-Kibbler is so excited to be joining the Ellington School District. Having taught in Somers, Connecticut, for 3 years and Springfield, Massachusetts, for 6 years, he is looking forward to bringing his experience from different schools and grade levels to Ellington High School. Tim has a beautiful one-year-old girl, Bonnie, and has recently gotten married! He was born and raised in California, moving to the East Coast in 2011 when he went to college. With his new and growing family, he’s so excited to be a part of such a welcoming and close-knit community and is excited to be putting down his roots here. He graduated with a Bachelor’s in History as well as with a Master's in Education, both from UMass Amherst. But outside of school, Tim is a big sports fan, taking his dog on walks, and generally enjoying the outdoors with his family. He is excited to get back to the high school level in Ellington. Go Knights!
Rachel Hundley, Social Studies Teacher
Rachel is excited to be teaching at Ellington High School, returning to her historical roots. Rachel received her bachelor's and master's degrees from CCSU in Secondary Education-History with a specialization in Special Education. She then proceeded to obtain her educational leadership degree from the University of New England. Prior to her role here, she taught social studies courses at Cromwell High School for sixteen years. She has also taught English as a second language to adults overseas and served as an international service learning coordinator for a non-profit. Rachel has a passion for traveling, cooking meals from her garden, and boating in Cape Cod. She and her husband live in Tolland with their two boys, Bennett and Grant.
Jacquelyn Benson, Social Studies Teacher
Jackie is excited to be joining the Ellington community as she enters her fifth year of teaching. Jackie graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University with her Bachelor’s degree in history and social sciences and earned her Master’s degree in special education from Central Connecticut State University. After working in school districts in South Carolina and Washington state, Jackie is excited to have moved back to Connecticut with her husband and son. In her free time, Jackie loves reading, baking, and spending time with her family.
Kelly Collopy, Long Term Math Substitute
Kelly is excited to join the Ellington High School community as a long-term mathematics substitute. She enjoys walking dogs, spending time with family and friends, and getting outside for a good hike. Kelly hopes to create a safe, friendly space where students feel comfortable being themselves and giving their best. She is excited to meet the students and staff and become part of the Ellington family during her time here.
Arnold Ewings, Academic Literacy Teacher Long Term Sub
Arnold Ewings is excited to join the Ellington Middle School community, where his love for storytelling, truth-seeking, and student growth meets the mission of Academic Literacy. A proud Connecticut native rooted in Colchester, Arnold brings over ten years of teaching experience and a heart for learners who often fall through the cracks. He holds a double major in English and History and a Master’s in Education, with a career spent empowering students across middle and high school classrooms. Arnold has taught English Language Arts, U.S. History, and Economics, creating dynamic lessons that connect literature and history to real-world experiences. He also taught English Language Learners in South Korea across from Gangnam — yes, that Gangnam. Beyond the school day, Arnold is a husband, twin dad, firefighter/EMT, and lover of local history. He soon hopes to pursue a PhD focused on Revolutionary and Federal Era United States history and is a lifelong student of both the past and hope. Arnold is also a musician and once had the unforgettable experience of being pulled from the crowd to sing and play guitar in front of national recording artists. His work is shaped by quiet conviction and a worldview anchored in love, service, and second chances. He believes every student is born with purpose and that a classroom built on trust, curiosity, and courage can change lives. He looks forward to helping Ellington students discover who they are and who they are becoming, one page, one paragraph, and one conversation at a time.
Sarah Cortina, Language Arts Teacher
Sarah is so excited to be joining the Ellington Middle School staff! She has a decade of teaching under her belt and strives to bring creativity and critical thinking to everything she does in the classroom. She received her bachelor's degree in Secondary English Education from Southern Connecticut State University. In addition to that, she holds a master's degree in Curriculum Leadership as well as a second certification in School Library Media. In her free time, Sarah enjoys reading, crocheting, and hiking. She also has three animals that she loves dearly: her dog, Maple, and two cats, Luna and Riley. She and her husband were recently married in Octob
Samantha Kelvey, School Nurse
Sam is thrilled to be joining the EMS community! Originally born in Colorado, she grew up in Rhode Island, where she earned her Nursing degree. Before moving to CT, Sam lived in her favorite city, Chicago! She has worked for various educational-affiliated medical facilities, including Northwestern and UConn. In her spare time she loves watching New England sports, playing and hiking with her dog Charley, spending time with her family, stand-up comedy, and doing anything by the water. Her goals this year are to continue her education to earn her Master's Degree and run a road race. In the summers, she works at Camp Waziyatah in Waterford, Maine as a camp Nurse and Charley too enjoys his summers there playing in the lake. She is eager to meet the wonderful students, staff, and families that make up EMS!
Destiny Baldis, 5th Grade Teacher
Lauren Lorenzet, Grade 1 Teacher
Lauren Lorenzet is thrilled to be returning to Center School! Formally known as Ms. Smaglis, Lauren taught at Center School for five years. Lauren has been teaching second grade in Avon, CT for the last four years. She is excited to return to Center School for her tenth year teaching as a third grade teacher. Lauren completed her bachelor's and master’s degree at the University of Connecticut. Go Huskies! She has a one year old son named James and a beloved golden retriever named Mia. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys reading, exercising, spending time with her family, attending UConn sporting events, and traveling to Cape Cod. She is excited to have a great year!
Ashley MacVarish, Grade 3 Teacher
Ashley MacVarish joins the Ellington Public Schools community with 10 years of experience at the upper elementary school level after teaching in California, North Carolina, and most recently- Willington, CT. Following her husband’s military retirement, Ashley and her family decided to return to Ellington to plant roots in the town they grew up in. As an Ellington High School graduate, Ashley is excited to be joining the Center School staff and teaching in the same elementary school she attended as a child.
Erica Ryan, School Nurse
Erica is a registered nurse with a background in pediatric inpatient care. She recently worked in a Level IV NICU here in Connecticut and is excited to bring her experience into the school setting. Erica is passionate about helping kids stay healthy, feel supported, and thrive in their learning environment. She’s a proud mom to two young daughters, ages 7 and 5, and enjoys their small hobby farm where she raises chickens and grows vegetables. In her free time, Erica loves baking, working on DIY home projects, and spending time outdoors. She’s looking forward to being part of the school community and building connections with students, staff, and families.
Lisa Almada, Special Education Teacher
Lisa Almada is super excited to be joining the Ellington School District at Windermere as she begins her 12th year teaching special education. Lisa has worked with individuals with disabilities since her high school years. One of her first jobs was working at an ARC helping adults with disabilities become more independent in a job setting. In college, she was a note-taker for students at Eastern CT State University where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. After college, she worked at River Street Autism Program for 6 years. During that time, she realized she wanted to become a special education teacher. She graduated from University of Saint Joseph with a Master’s Degree in Special Education in 2014. For the last 8 years, she has worked in Windsor Locks at a K-2 elementary school. She looks forward to meeting her new colleagues and working closer to home! Lisa currently lives in Ellington with her husband, two young children (5 and 3), and her dog. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading Colleen Hoover books, and going to the beach.
Christine Montanari, Preschool Teacher
Christine Montanari is very excited to be joining the Pre-K team. While this is her first year teaching, she is no stranger to the program as she was a para for 8 years and a long-term sub for a year. She holds a Bachelors in behavioral psychology from Eastern Connecticut State University (2018), and a Masters in Early Childhood Education from University of Hartford (2025). Christine has an extensive background working with young children including daycare, being a nanny, and volunteering in church nursery and Sunday school. She is excited to bring all her experience and knowledge to the preschool program and support our district's youngest students and their families. When she is not in the classroom Christine enjoys spending time with her husband and three children as well as her dogs, cats, and chickens. She is a resident of Ellington and is thrilled to work in the same school that all of her kids attended. In her free time she enjoys reading, taking walks, doing puzzles, and swimming. She’s looking forward to many great years to come at Windermere School!
Melissa Shepler, Preschool Teacher
With experience teaching first, second, and fourth grade at Eli Terry School in South Windsor, Melissa has always found joy in helping young learners grow and thrive. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Assumption University and a masters degree in education from University of Saint Joseph. She lives in Ellington with her husband Steve and three children Loelle, Weston, and Walker. After stepping away from the classroom to raise her three children, she became deeply involved in supporting special education interventions for her daughter, which further strengthened her passion for early childhood education. Melissa returned to Ellington Public Schools as a long-term substitute literacy interventionist and more recently as a 1:1 paraeducator in our integrated preschool program. She is thrilled to be officially joining the Windermere family as preschool teacher and looks forward to this new chapter with excitement and gratitude.
Meaghan Freeman, Literacy Specialist
Meaghan Freeman is excited to join Crystal Lake as one of their new reading specialists! Meaghan brings a deep passion for literacy and a strong commitment to helping all students grow as readers and writers. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Elementary and Special Education from LaSalle University in Philadelphia, and holds Master’s degrees in Remedial Reading and Reading Diagnosis from Central Connecticut State University, along with a Sixth Year in Educational Leadership. Most of Meaghan’s career has been spent in teaching and instructional coaching roles in both Hartford and West Hartford. Most recently, she served as an Assistant Principal for the Goodwin University Magnet Schools. Meaghan lives in Wethersfield with her husband and their 7-year-old son. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, traveling, and family vacations by the lake or beach. She is thrilled to be joining the Crystal Lake community and looks forward to supporting students in their literacy journeys.
Jenna McDermott, Math Specialist
Jenna McDermott is thrilled to rejoin the Ellington Public Schools family! A proud Ellington resident, Jenna lives with her husband Patrick, their two awesome kids Emmy and Jack (both Center School students!), and two lovable pups, Harvey and Millie. She earned her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Sixth Year degree in Educational Technology from UConn. Before taking time off to be home with her kids over the past four years, Jenna served the district as a Grade 5 teacher and a K–6 Instructional Technology Specialist. She spent the last two years as Center School’s PTO Vice President, organizing events, energizing volunteers, and doing her part to enrich the school community. Jenna enjoys watching her kids play sports, crafting, golfing, gardening, playing board games with her kids, and spending summers by the pool with family and friends. She’s excited to be back and can't wait for the year ahead in a new role.
Alyssia Pacileo, Art Teacher
Alyssia Pacileo is excited to be an Elementary Art Teacher at Center School and Windermere School starting fall of 2025! With over 10 years of classroom teaching experience and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education, she’s passionate about inspiring creativity in young artists. Outside of school, Alyssia loves crafting, sipping coffee, and most of all, spending time with family, friends, her husband and their two young children. She’s honored to be a part of the Ellington Public Schools community!
Kristin McCarthy, Special Education Teacher
With 16 years of teaching experience in Glastonbury, Kristin McCarthy is thrilled to be joining Ellington Public Schools! A graduate of the University of Connecticut, she started her career as a margin analyst, crunching numbers all day. But after realizing that finance wasn't her true passion, she shifted gears to teach singing and show choir in an after-school program, igniting her love for working with kids (and prompting her to return to school for her teacher certification!). Her appreciation for creativity and community shines through in the classroom. And when she's not at school, you can find her hanging with her family, at karaoke, or eating ice cream with her a cappella group.
Jason Kirch, BCBA
Jay was born and raised in Manchester Connecticut. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Central Connecticut State University in Criminology, and his Master’s Degree from Elm’s College in ABA. He has been working in special education for 19 years, including being a BCBA for 11 years with both CREC and Tolland Public Schools. He and his family live in Coventry where they enjoy the outdoors, traveling, spending time with friends and family, as well as school and travel sports. He is very excited to start this next journey in his career with the team in Ellington!
Mikaela Delawrence, School Nurse
Mikaela “Kae” Delawrence is thrilled to join the BASES campus community. She has been working as a Medical-Surgical Nurse at a large hospital for two years. Additionally, she has served as a Pediatric Nurse Consultant, traveling to daycares across northeastern Connecticut to provide care at multiple facilities. She is passionate about mental, pediatric, and women’s health and aspires to continue her education to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. Besides her nursing career, Kae has been a Licensed Massage Therapist for ten years. In her free time, she loves spending time with her husband, seven-year-old son, two dogs, and her cat. She also enjoys baking, cooking, hiking, and reading for fun.