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MONTROSE, N.Y. Hendrick Hudson School District will welcome nine new staff members this fall. The positions replace retirements, or in some cases, are long-term substitute teachers.
"It's like being the new kid," said Alice Gottlieb, assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and personnel, about changing schools. "You have to build your reputation again, which is kind of interesting," she said.
Brad Fredman, who worked for the district as a part-time tennis coach for four years, takes a position as the high school gym coach, a mantle held by Paul Natale for 42 years. Something of a renaissance man, Fredman has worked in marketing and physical therapy, and for the last eight years taught special education and a music class.
Fredman said the biggest challenge will be "getting to know all the different faces."
Thomas Yee, a part-time integrated algebra teacher, said he's "looking forward to helping them shape their problem solving." Yee is a Hen Hud alumnus, and will be teaching primarily ninth-grade students.
Cassia Fox will begin her fourth year teaching as a full-time French and Spanish teacher. She relocated from Charlotte, N.C. to join the district.
"I'm really excited to be motivated by students," Fox said. Fox said the Charlotte, N.C. district she leaves behind had approximately a 70 percent graduation rate, and that she is looking forward to working with academically-minded students.
"Its going to be like heaven teaching here," she said.
Other teachers joining the Hendrick Hudson staff are Alicia Conte, a part-time Spanish teacher at Blue Mountain Middle School, and Kristine Zulla, a part-time English and social studies teacher at Hendrick Hudson High School.
Dianna Pamisano will join the district's elementary schools as a physical therapist. Katie Ostrye joins the staff as a psychologist. Jessica Haag and Jessica Towle are long-term substitutes in the district.
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