Greetings to students and their families from the Connections Team
The Connections Program
The Connections Program is designed for teaching students with language based learning disabilities. Teachers and Paraprofessionals work together with students in small groups utilizing specialized instruction to enable them to successfully access the middle school curriculum. Mrs. Debra Mondello, a speech and language therapist is an integral part of the team, working in classrooms with students to help them learn and use strategies which will enable them to independently use and understand academic vocabulary with fluency. We assist students in gaining organizational skills which will help them to use their study time most effectively. We have a close relationship with the school Guidance Counselors and Mrs. Julia Hannon, the Social Worker in order to assist students maneuver through the variety of social situations they experience as members of the middle school community. Students in the Connections program participate in Unified Arts classes, Spanish, PE, homeroom and lunch along with students in regular education and are included in all grade level field trips and activities. We enjoy working closely with families and building trusting relationships as we work together to provide our students with every opportunity we can to be successful in school and in life.
Teachers in the Connections Program
Colleen Casey
Welcome to the Connections team website! My name is Colleen Casey. I am the sixth grade district contact person. I teach the Connections sixth graders math, science, English, and reading. I also have the pleasure of the teaching seventh grade English to the Connections students. I am going into my seventh year of teaching this year. I received my bachelors from The University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida majoring in elementary education. Upon graduation, I began working as a permanent substitute at the Ditson Elementary School in Billerica as the 3/4th grade Connections teacher. While teaching in this program I realized how much I enjoyed being a special education teacher. So, the following year I taught in a 4th grade substantially separate program in Chelsea. I taught in Chelsea for two years. The next year I taught in the 1/2 grade behavior program. I wanted to continue to work in special education so I went back to school, acquiring my Masters in special education through Lesley University in 2005. The school year of 2004-2005, I came back to Billerica to teach at the Marshall Middle in the position I currently assume. The Connections program requires a strong background in reading, so I have once again returned to school to obtain my CAGS in reading. My sister, Mrs. Domina J, has joined me in this feat! I come from a long line of teachers, and I absolutely love my job! I look forward to working with you and your child throughout the next school year, as well as your child’s middle school career!
Maryann Ngoon
Hi! My name is Maryann Ngoon and I have been teaching in Billerica since 1999. I have been with the Connections program at the Marshall Middle School the entire time. Prior to teaching in Billerica, I taught at the Center for Occupational Awareness and Placement at the Merrimack Education Center in Chelmsford. I live in Hudson, NH and am the mother of two grown daughters. I have earned both my Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Fitchburg State College. I teach Social Studies to grades six, seven and eight and Science to grade seven students. I am the District Contact Person for seventh grade Connections students.
Ms. Domina