Michael Coggins – Math Teacher – West Boylston Middle School 

Hello, I am Michael Coggins, and I’m excited to be joining the West Boylston team. I graduated from St. John’s High School in 2009 and went on to complete my undergraduate degree at Duke University in Durham, NC. In 2013, I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, though during my senior year I discovered my true desire was to be an educator. After my time at Duke, I returned to Massachusetts and began teaching at Venerini Academy in Worcester. For three years, I taught both English and math to sixth through eighth grade students. In addition, I also began to pursue a Master’s in Education from Lesley University in Cambridge, a degree that I will be completing in the spring of 2017. After my three years at Venerini, I accepted my new and current position as a math teacher at West Boylston Middle/High School. In my free time, I enjoy exercising and cooking. I’m looking forward to a great year!

Kelly Connors – Grade 3 Teacher – Major Edwards Elementary School

My name is Kelly Connors and I have been an elementary school teacher for six years. I graduated from Wachusett Regional High School. I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Spanish at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. I earned my Master's degree in Elementary Education from Fitchburg State College. I love learning about and exploring new places, cultures, and languages. I have a great passion for teaching, reading, hiking, traveling, gardening, and spending days at the beach with my family. I am excited to begin teaching at Major Edwards Elementary School and look forward to being a part of the West Boylston Public School community.

Jennifer Crosier – Special Education Teacher – West Boylston Middle/High School

I am excited to be starting my second year at West Boylston Public Schools! I grew up locally in Shrewsbury and attended Shrewsbury High School. I went to Providence College, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education and History as well as a minor in Sociology. Upon graduation, I began my teaching career and graduated school at Boston College where I received my Master's degree in Special Education. In my spare time I enjoy camping, hiking, and kayaking. I am an avid Patriots fan and reader. I try to travel every chance I get, both locally and globally. Let's have a great year!

Erica Dougherty – Math Specialist – Major Edwards Elementary School

Hello! My name is Erica Dougherty and I am very excited to be working as a math specialist at the place where I first decided to become a teacher when I was in third grade. I graduated from West Boylston High School before going to Westfield State University where I earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and liberal studies (with a math concentration). Some of my interests include watching and playing sports, reading, hiking, and anything to do with animals. I can't wait to start working with the students of Major Edwards and sharing my love of math!

Tessa Erickson – Science Teacher – West Boylston Middle School

My first experience teaching was as a high school volunteer with the Seattle Aquarium. I was detailing the elusive life history of the Giant Pacific Octopus to a circle of fascinated young listeners. We were situated beneath the octopus’s tank, admiring the fluid movements of her tentacles. It was an incredibly rewarding experience to share my passion with students and watch them develop new connections with nature. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest taught me how to treasure our world’s natural beauty and the importance of sharing its wonder with others.

I moved to the East Coast after high school to attend Drexel University and to begin a new adventure. Through Drexel’s co-op program, I was able to experience different factions of the scientific field, ranging from cancer research to tracking army ants through Costa Rica. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in ecology, I relocated to Framingham, Massachusetts where I enrolled in Framingham State University’s Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Licensure Program. I now hold an initial teaching license in middle school science and am excited to share my passion with my future students.

Kaara McHugh – Music Teacher – West Boylston Middle/High School

Kaara McHugh holds a Bachelor's in Music in Music Education and Vocal Performance from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She has studied voice privately for 13 years in Central MA, Western MA, and New York City. For the past three years, she has taught music in elementary schools in Fitchburg, Leominster, and New York City. In addition to teaching in public schools, Kaara has pursued teaching private vocal instruction since 2012 and now runs her own voice lesson business at Colla Voce Voice Studio LLC. She also has been the music director for Theater at the Mount's summer drama camps including Theater Bug and Lights, Stage, Action for the past 6 years, and directed the spring 2015 production of School House Rock Live. She has sung with the Greater Worcester Opera Company, participated in two Young Artists Programs, one of which was in the South of France, and sings with the newly formed professional vocal ensemble, Diamonds from the Dust. Though she is classically trained, musical theater is her first love and she has played such roles as Maria Von Trapp in the Sound of Music (Sterling Community Theater, 2014), Christine Colgate in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Theater at the Mount, 2015), and Johanna in Sweeney Todd (Auburn Community Players, 2016). When she’s not teaching or singing, Kaara is an avid runner and self-proclaimed “fitness nut.” She loves everything from Zumba to Crossfit. Kaara also loves to paint with acrylics (very amateurly) and she’s starting to run out of places to hang her “creations.”