Julie has been a first and second grade teacher at Lyman for the past 9 years. Before starting at Lyman she attended James Madison University in Virginia where she received her Nursery – Grade 3 certification as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She moved to Connecticut after undergraduate school and substitute taught, then worked as a third grade classroom assistant for a year at Academy School in Madison. She spent a year completing two maternity leaves, first at Lyman and then back at Academy School. Finally, she returned to Lyman permanently. Meanwhile she completed a Masters of Education program at Southern Connecticut State University. She is currently certified to teach Nursery School through Grade 6. She feels passionate about teaching children to read, write, understand mathematical concepts, and most importantly lay the foundation for their educational journey. Outside of school, Julie enjoys raising her two young sons, practicing Ashtanga Yoga, knitting, reading and singing.
Christine Anderson, known as Ms. A., has been teaching at John Lyman School since 1991. Prior to becoming a teacher, Chris was an architect for 19 years. She and her husband live in Hamden, CT. They have two grown children, Charis and Eric. Chris especially loves children’s books and mathematics. She enjoys sharing these interests and a myriad of other learning adventures with her students.
Sharon Berndt, an educator, singer and writer, teaches a multi-aged first/second grade classroom at the John Lyman School in Middlefield CT. Her background includes Responsive Classroom, Teacher’s College Writing Project, and more than a dozen years of HOT School Institutes and training. Sharon has presented on the local and national levels including a presentation at the International Reading Association Conference in San Diego, CA. Sharon has been instrumental in the development and growth of the HOT Readers Program, an early literacy intervention. She has also developed a unique process of teaching poetry writing for children. Sharon has many years of teaching experience and a strong personal philosophy that Arts-Infusion is the key to successful and sustained learning in children.
Sue Martinez has taught first and second grade in the Integrated Day program at John Lyman School since 1987. She attended Bates College and earned her M.Ed. from Southern Connecticut University. Sue came to teaching as a second career. After working in journalism for a time, she married and moved to Clinton to raise a family. She worked as a pre-school teacher for several years while her children were still young then went back to school to get her Masters degree and teaching certification. She now has three grown children and three grandchildren. She enjoys helping children learn and grow in an atmosphere that encourages them to ask their own questions and pursue the answers in a way that is meaningful to them. She also appreciates working with a group of colleagues who have a shared educational philosophy and who are themselves creative problem-solvers. Sue speaks Spanish and enjoys incorporating it into classroom activities as much as possible. She is on the Gardening Committee at Lyman. She enjoys gardening, kayaking with family and friends, traveling and writing books for her grandchildren.
Margo Novak came to John Lyman School in 1999. Margo began teaching at an independent school in Stonington, CT while she earned her M.Ed. from Lesley University. She has always taught in multiage classes, including 2nd/3rd grades and 4th/5th grades. Working with students and their families over the two year span benefits students in so many ways and she was excited to discover John Lyman School and the staff’s commitment to multiage instruction. Margo is involved in the school’s Garden and Nature Trail Committees and she loves to cook with her students. She is also a member of the district’s Technology Council. She lives with her husband near the Connecticut River.
Hello!
I am Carole Sibiskie a first and second grade teacher at John Lyman School. I am thrilled to be teaching in the same H.O.T. school, Integrated Day, multiage setting that I selected for my own children, two happy graduates of the program. Long ago, I attended Eastern Connecticut State University and Central Connecticut State University where I earned my Undergraduate and Masters’ Degrees. My teaching career began in private nursery school where I was the head teacher and ran a multiage after school program. Next, I taught Head Start in a wonderful program in East Hartford. When my children were born I opened a home daycare and enjoyed being able to stay home with my daughters, yet was still teaching young children! It is a wonderful experience each year to share my passions with my students as we enjoy learning, art experiences, nature exploration, and cooking together!
My name is Valerie Swiantek, and I’ve been teaching at John Lyman School since graduating from Central Connecticut State University in February 2007. In the two and a half years of working at Lyman, I’ve focused on integrating the arts in the classroom. This past summer, I spent a lot of time fishing all over the state with my husband and my dog, Mack. When I wasn’t on the boat, I enjoyed spending time with my nephews and the rest of my family. I love to go hiking and cook. In my spare time, reading and writing, especially poetry, are some of my favorite pastimes.
