My name is Jennifer Lucander and I have been an elementary educator for the past 30 years. My educational background consists of a Bachelor’s in Education and Psychology from Merrimack College and a Master’s of Elementary Education with a specialization in English/Language Arts from Anna Maria College.

Throughout the years I have taught second through sixth. I have extensive experience teaching gifted and talented students. Through my practical experience and course work, I have developed essential skills in curriculum development and instruction, classroom management, and assessment of a student’s ability to learn with various instructional approaches. My beliefs concerning education embrace the concept that all students can learn. Students will learn at different paces and in different ways, but they will all learn given an effective teacher.

Elementary school is a crucial time to lay the foundation for future academic success. My mission is to provide my students with a structured and intellectually stimulating environment where they feel secure and know their accomplishments are valued.

Email: jlucander.brighton@gmail.com

My name is Cindy Salerno and I have been an elementary educator for the past 32 years. I have spent many of those years working with gifted and talented children. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Physical/Health Education from Framingham State College. In addition, I received my Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Worcester State College.

My main goal as a teacher is to create an atmosphere that fosters learning. In my academically oriented classroom, children are taught in a nurturing, creative and playful environment. I believe that positive reinforcement, natural consequences, and individualized attention encourage students to develop a constructive balance of self-confidence and interpersonal skills necessary for future experiences. I believe that each child is a unique individual who needs a caring and stimulating environment in which to learn.

My classroom is a special community of learners that varies not only in abilities, but also in learning styles. I look forward every day to presenting my students with a curriculum that involves their interests which in turn helps to make learning more meaningful. I incorporate themed units, projects, group work, individual work, and hands-on learning to help my students be active learners. While phonetic skills, emerging reading, and mathematics are stressed, there is a strong emphasis placed on enjoying the school experience. My goal is to set a foundation that school is a happy and positive place to be and the years spent in my class will stand out as a treasured memory.

Email: csalerno.brighton@gmail.com

I am Susan Daly and I have taught all levels of elementary education in the public and private sectors for the past 25 years. My educational experience includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Boston University, and graduate studies from Framingham State University and Boston University. I also have extensive experience in business management.

As a co-founder and administrator of The Brighton School, I add support and enrichment to our students and also work in an administrative capacity. I feel privileged to be able to help support the academic needs of our students and address their special gifts and unique learning styles.

My name is Katie Weidner and I am the Pre-K/K teacher. In my time as an educator, I have taught in both the private and public school systems as well as summer enrichment programs for Kindergarten through second grade. I earned my Bachelors Degree from Bridgewater State University and my Masters of Education Degree in Early Childhood Education from Champlain College.

I believe each group of students presents a unique community of learners who are all capable of success. As an educator I strive to provide every student with strategies and tools to meet their goals both individually and as a whole class. In my classroom, I include hands on and cooperative learning, projects, and themes that engage and support student learning and growth. A goal of mine as an educator is to create a safe and welcoming classroom environment where students are able to take risks, wonder, explore and discover, to foster and encourage collaboration and a love a learning that will continue to grow as they move forward in their educational journey.

Email: kweidner.brighton@gmail.com

I am the second and third grade teacher. I earned a Bachelors of Science in elementary education and child psychology from the University of Hartford and a Masters of Education from Southern New Hampshire University. Over my career as an educator, I’ve held several rewarding positions including a camp counselor, a director, a pre-school teacher, a kindergarten teacher and a first/second grade teacher.

As an educator, my goal is to build a learning environment that is safe, supportive, and challenging. The learners in my classroom are guided by lessons that promote a balance between learning, play and cooperative interactions with their peers.

When your child enters my classroom, I want them to feel safe, supported, challenged and most importantly happy! At such a young age, children need to feel that they are “home” when away from their comfort zone. I hope that each student leaves my classroom with a smile on their face, warmth in their heart and memories that last a lifetime.

Email: snordstrom.brighton@gmail.com

As an elementary educator for the past 23 years, it is my goal to create a safe learning environment that invites students to problem solve, take risks, and welcome challenges. By providing teacher support and encouragement, students become engaged and invested in the learning process, sharing ideas and opinions and challenging themselves to try new things.

In my classroom, students feel seen, heard, known and respected. They are celebrated for their individuality and are consistently invited to share their own perspectives and stories with the class. By fostering a sense of community and mutual respect, students gain confidence and a strong sense of self. They know they are valued contributors to every lesson, activity and discussion. As a result, they become active participants in each class and develop a love of learning that they carry forward on their educational journey.

Email: kdarling.brighton@gmail.com

Hello! My name is Heidi Sugalski, and I am excited to be the Science and Art teacher at The Brighton School!  I attended college at Lyndon State College where I studied Elementary Education. From there, I worked as a preschool teacher in upstate Vermont.

I have a true passion for working with children of all ages. Helping a child develop academically and socially is a challenge I look forward to everyday. Along with my fellow Brighton teachers, I strive to create a community of young learners that focuses on growth in a positive, nurturing and fun environment.

When not in school, I enjoy spending time with my husband, daughter and English Bulldog. We enjoy fishing, skiing, weekend sports, spending time with family and vacationing in Maine.

I look forward to a wonderful and exciting year watching your children grow!

Email: Hsugalski.brighton@gmail.com

My name is Jackie Landry and I have been a musician all of my life. My area of expertise is in songwriting and for the past 20 years, I have focused on children’s songs. I perform regularly, and since 2001, I’ve been teaching children between the ages of 1 – 12.  My serious musical education came later in life when I moved to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music where I studied Songwriting.  I sing as well as play the guitar and piano.  Previous to my Berklee years, I received a Bachelor’s of Arts from Western State College in Gunnison, CO where I studied recreation with a minor in music.

I believe musical communication for children at a young age provides a connecting link which enhances future learning skills in every aspect of a child’s life.  By tapping into children’s hidden talents early on, we can strengthen and solidify a foundation of confidence, embracing their excitement and expanding their imagination. For children, music is a vehicle through which their thoughts, emotions, experiences and triumphs can be expressed with truth and clarity. When fun is mixed in, the result is “wanting” to sing, play, and practice music.

When the challenge is new and exciting, the interest level is amplified and a contagious energy generates a unique and positive learning environment. With the use of numerous different percussive instruments, some melodic instruments, some creative, coordinated choreography and props, every music class will be filled with the joy of learning in a fun and educational way.

Email: jlandry.brighton@gmail.com

My name is Bruce Cichowlas. I am the technology teacher at The Brighton School. I work in education, technology and music and my educational background is both from MIT and from Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. I’ve taught at the Brighton School for several years and currently also work with student interns from schools such as New England Conservatory of Music, Berklee School of Music, Harvard University, and Columbia University.

My name is Robin Collins and I teach Computer Technology across all of the grade levels. My educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Framingham State College as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Anna Maria College. I have three daughters, two currently enrolled at The Brighton School, and one former Brighton student currently in high school.

Whether as a parent, school nurse, scout leader, volunteer, or teacher, I love working with children, and I love their energetic, positive nature. My focus is to provide a balance of fun and learning in the computer lab while helping students navigate the basics of computer skills, and gain confidence using technology inside and outside of school.

Email:  rcollins.brighton@gmail.com

My name is Caroline Hubbard and I teach drama at The Brighton School. I also assist with math and the after-school program. I attended Boston College for both my Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre and my Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. I previously taught middle school math at Tremont School and dance at West Roxbury School of Dance and South Shore YMCA.

As a teacher who is passionate about both math and the arts, I believe in finding ways for students to express themselves creatively in and outside of drama class and find ways to make math creative and interesting. I want to promote drama as a way for students to not just play pretend, but also to be authentic in an imaginary situation.

Email: chubbard.brighton@gmail.com

My name is Caroline Hubbard and I teach drama at The Brighton School. I also assist with math and the after-school program. I attended Boston College for both my Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre and my Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. I previously taught middle school math at Tremont School and dance at West Roxbury School of Dance and South Shore YMCA.

As a teacher who is passionate about both math and the arts, I believe in finding ways for students to express themselves creatively in and outside of drama class and find ways to make math creative and interesting. I want to promote drama as a way for students to not just play pretend, but also to be authentic in an imaginary situation.

Email: chubbard.brighton@gmail.com

My name is Maya Bermudes and I am a proud member of the Brighton School Faculty. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Development from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, I have worked in both public and independent school settings as well as in the home as  an applied behavior analyst and professionally as a summer camp administrator. I am currently pursuing my Master’s Degree in Social Work at Boston University and enjoy incorporating social emotional learning strategies into the daily classroom experience. I believe that it is important for each child to be met where they are as individuals academically, developmentally and emotionally. I aim to provide individualized teaching that creates an environment in which students feel supported and able to take academic risks.

Email: mbermudes.brighton@gmail.com