Meet the Staff

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    Assistant Superintendent of Pupil and Family Services
    William Tesbir: 594-4020

    Special Education Administrative Assistant
    Flo Jones: 594-4020

    Special Education Financial Assistant
    Laura Luchette: 594-4021

    Special Education Administrators:

    Special Education Administrator (PreK/Elementary)
    Robert Rousseau: 594-4030

    Special Education Administrator (Saxe)
    Vanessa Visners: 594-4570

    Special Education Administrator (NCHS)
    Kevin Ryan: 594-4650     

     
    Special Education Staff - District:
     
    Student Supports Coordinator
    Susan Bliss: 594-4655

    District School Psychologist
    Danielle Maslar: 594-4319

    Assistive Technology Specialist
    Ashley Tremblay: 594-4662     

    BCBA
    Sarah Dunn: 594-4200
    Kristin Anderson: 594-4400     

    Teacher of the Hearing Impaired
    Melody Ericsson: 594-4300     

    Special Education Staff by School
     
    New Canaan High School: (203) 594-4600

    Principal: Bill Egan

    Special Education Administrator: Kevin Ryan

    School Psychologists: Maria Calcagni, and Sandra Warkentin

    School Counselors: Lori Keen, Linda McGann, Erica Schaedler, Lindsay Reihl, Cindy Rivera, Ann Vernon, Nick Willett, and Daniel Farina

    Special Education Teachers: Jennifer Bojonell, Scott Craig, Joanne Gerardi, Nicole Schweitzer, Jackie Hauge, Ashley Lewis, Katey Paige, Nikki Pivovar, Caryn Vita, Lisa Voll, Chris Parsons, Ceire Clark, and Reinis Visneis

    Social Workers: Rachel Hartong, and Eileen Donellan

    Speech and Language Pathologists: Hope Blair, Melissa Mahon, Jennifer Weber, and Amy Bowley

    Occupational Therapist: Suzanne Heckt

    Physical Therapist: Megan Matsen

    Special Education Administrative Assistant: Betsy Gilhuly

     

    New Canaan Alternative High School: 

    Director / Social Worker: Andrea MacGilpin

    Special Education Teacher: Colleen Bailey

    Saxe Middle School: (203) 594-4500

    Principal: David Gusitsch

    Special Education Administrator: Vanessa Visners

    School Psychologists: Christopher Dykes, Samantha Gagliano

    Special Education Teachers:  Jennifer Chard, Shelby Cromwell, Maria DeRobertis, Stefanie Goldschmidt, Patty Hines, Linda Margiotta, Vienna Pallisco, Caitlin Portanova, Patty Potts, Karen Ryan, Lisa Battista, Mikhaela Miller

    School Counselors:  Sarah Beltran, Brad Lepisto, Tammy Nettleton, Christine Risoli, Karen Pausig, and Kimberly Hillyer

    Challenge Teachers: Larry Cox, Kim Demers

    Social Workers: Kelly Barrett, Cristina Pesce

    Speech and Language Pathologists: Susan Gress, Lauren Russell, Ann Wronski

    Occupational Therapists: Sarah Hund

    Physical Therapist: Megan Matsen

    Special Education Secretary: Beth Calandrelli

    East Elementary School: (203) 594-4200

    Principal: Kristine Woleck

    Special Education Administrator: Robert Rousseau

    School Psychologists: Krishna Lynch, Mary Kate Nicholas

    Special Education Teachers:  Anne Kahl, Lauren Sprosta, Vanessa Getman, Shannon O'Donnell

    Challenge Teacher: Maggie Joyce

    Speech and Language Pathologists: Elizabeth Correa, Jenn Weber

    Social Worker: Tara Whitely

    Occupational Therapist: Stephanie Bellino

    Physical Therapist: Helen Nishi

    Special Education Secretaries: Sylvia Sylvester, Michaela Valente

    South Elementary School: (203) 594-4300

    Principal: Matt Kascak

    Special Education Administrator: Robert Rousseau

    School Psychologists: Jennifer Pritt, Mary Kate Nicholas

    Special Education Teachers: Kara Callahan, Heather Doneit, Jennifer Tavello, Naomi Sapadin, Jessica Coy

    Challenge Teacher: Maggie Joyce

    Speech and Language Pathologists: Lisa Dahlstrom

    Social Worker: Kim Staiti

    Occupational Therapists:  Allison LaRow

    Physical Therapists: Kelly Conte
     
    Special Education Secretary: Michaela Valente

    West Elementary School: (203) 594-4400

    Principal: Jan Murphy

    Special Education Administrator: Robert Rousseau

    School Psychologists:  Aileen Doohan, Megan Lull, Kelly Blue 

    Special Education Teachers:  Katherine Raynor, Sue Schoenig, Jane Munson, Alexandra Pearson

    Preschool Teachers:  Cathy McClure, Daniella Mini, Meghan Ragusa, Tracey Dressel

    Challenge Teacher: Maggie Joyce

    Speech and Language Pathologists: Alicia Ponticello

    Preschool Speech and Language Pathologist: Alyson Schroeder, Allison Elwell

    Occupational Therapists:  Liz O'Brien (COTA), Vanessa Tessitore

    Physical Therapist: Kelly Conte

    Special Education Secretary: Sylvia Sylvester
East student portrait of happy face in multiple colors.
  • Parent suggestions?
    • Do you have suggestions for improving our Special Education system in New Canaan? We welcome your input!
    • Do you have ideas for seminar speakers? Additional publications? Let us know. 
    • How can we improve our Special Education website? We welcome suggestions. 

    How can I contribute?
    • There are parent representatives from each school who serve on a Parent Advisory Council to the Director.
    • Know who your building representatives are and stay in touch with them, or volunteer to be one. 
    • Participate actively in your child's Special Education programming.