Meet three new teachers in the Norwich Public Schools

Norwich Public Schools starts classes on Aug. 28, and there are some new staff joining the district.

There are 18 new staff joining Norwich Public Schools this school year. Some of these new staff are entirely new to the district, while others like Tara Fontaine have returned to the district they grew up in.

The Bulletin had the chance to talk to three of the new NPS staff: Tara Fontaine, Elizabeth Tavares and Iman Tobey-Miley.

While each of these teachers have their own stories, they all want to teach kids, make the learning environment fun, and be open to working with parents to make sure their kids are successful.

Tara Fontaine

Fontaine is a fourth-grade teacher at Wequonnoc Magnet Elementary School. She grew up in Norwich and attended Moriarty Elementary School. The teacher who inspired her to get into teaching is her second grade teacher, Cynthia White, who is still teaching in the district.

“I still call her Ms. White,” Fontaine said.

Fontaine attended Eastern Connecticut State University, studying teaching and taught in the NPS system as a student teacher.  After graduation, she became a floating substitute teacher in 2022.

“It’s been great being able to stay here,” she said.

While schoolwork still needs to get done, Fontaine wants her students to know that she’s a fun person and likes to laugh in the classroom. She’ll prominently place a picture of her cat in the classroom, and when her students ask, Fontaine will tell fun stories about her cat, she said.

Fontaine wants an open-door policy with the parents of her students, whether they have a question or if they want her to know something about their kids, she said.

Elizabeth Tavares

Tavares is the multi-lingual learning coordinator for the NPS district. While she won’t be teaching directly, she oversees the teachers and wants to meet the students.

“I’m a teacher at heart,” she said. “I just came from teaching high school.”

Tavares got into education because she had great teachers when she was in school. Tavares’ first teaching job was fifth grade. After attending a workshop about teaching English as a second language classes, it changed the trajectory of her career. She was an ESL teacher and instructional coach, and then served as an ESL department head in two districts, she said.

“I realized this is where I needed to be,” Tavares said.

As English wasn’t Tavares’ first language, she understands the challenges students learning English face, and is happy to help and answer parents’ questions, she said.

“It’s all ok, because they’re going to grow, learn, and be proficient.

Tavares also prides herself on being an advocate for her students, she said.

“I fight for my kids, and all the ELL kids are mine,” Tavares said.

Iman Tobey-Miley

Tobey-Miley is special education teacher for third to fifth grade at Veterans’ Memorial Elementary School. She started in education as a paraprofessional, but working with other educators inspired her to become a teacher, she said in an email.

Tobey-Miley was drawn to the district because of its inclusive environment and that “students are encouraged to take an active role in their learning while still having fun.” Tobey-Miley wants to create a classroom focused on growth, connection, and joy, she said.

“I want families to know that I’m eager to make a lasting impact, not just academically but personally as well,” she said.

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Norwich Public Schools has 18 new staff this year