Harwood district welcomes new teachers for the 2026-27 school year
September 1, 2026 | By Lisa Scagliotti
HUUSD new teachers and staff for the 2026-27 school year. Courtesy photo
Vermont may be in an era of school budget trimming, but the start of the school year still brings new faces to classrooms around the state.
As people retire or move on, some positions they leave are considered essential and school districts need to fill openings.
The Harwood Unified Union School District has 19 new teachers and staff members this year from preschool through high school. During their orientation process, Superintendent Mike Leichliter asked them to complete a survey to share some details on their backgrounds as well as their hopes for their new positions.
The group is diverse in age and experience, with several new graduates as well as those well-established in their careers. Most come to the Harwood district from other education settings.
The questionnaire contained a few lighthearted personal questions, including who they admire, if they had a favorite school lunch growing up that they would happily eat today, and what theme song they might imagine as their “walk on” music for the first day of school.
Mentions for those admired included boxer Muhammad Ali, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, activist Malala Yousafzai and Swedish writer Astrid Lindgren.
Memorable lunch items included perennial favorites like pizza, grilled cheese, breakfast for lunch, and mac and cheese. Other more unique favorites included Nutella sandwiches, pigs in the blanket, tuna melts and a Harwood classic, the Hurdle special ham and cheese pockets served alongside tomato soup and green beans (see this story in the Valley Reporter from 2024).
Below are summaries from 13 of the new teaching staff members. Not included in this group is Harwood’s new athletic trainer, Rebekah Bernard. We hope to catch up with her soon.
Anja Bisson, preschool teacher, Brookside Primary School
A Duxbury resident, Bisson has been working in the district for the past six years. Her education includes Vermont State University. She said she’s looking forward to “converting knowledge into action” in her new role.
Eli Brunn, science teacher, Harwood Middle School
Brunn has worked in nonprofits in Washington, D.C., after graduating from UVM. Now a Winooski resident, he said Harwood’s values “of community and commitment from staff aligned with my own ideals.” Now he’s looking forward to “growing student confidence in themselves and their abilities.”
Abby Durand, band and chorus teacher at the valley schools
A recent UVM graduate and Waterbury resident, Durand said she is looking forward to teaching music to elementary school students. “I love the music department and the great energy in the district! They've been so welcoming!” she said.
Katie Martin, physical education/health teacher, Moretown/Waitsfield Elementary schools
A Harwood graduate, Martin now lives in Williston and received her education at Plymouth State University. She coaches Harwood varsity field hockey and has been working at Waitsfield Elementary. She said she’s now looking forward to “working with students and making gym class a fun, active place where the foundations of competitive spirit and positive sportsmanship are made.”
Chris Miller, school counselor, Warren Elementary School
Miller comes to the Harwood district from Waterford Elementary School in Vermont and has a master’s degree from the University of Vermont. A Waterbury resident, he said the Harwood district was attractive for its reputation of putting students first and its proximity to outdoor recreation. He’s most looking forward to getting to know the Warren School community.
Sarah Pulaski, literacy interventionist, Brookside Primary School
A resident of East Calais, Pulaski has worked in the district already at Crossett Brook Middle School as well as at Twinfield Union School and Craftsbury Elementary School. Her education includes UVM, Johnson State College and Community College of Vermont. Pulaski said she finds the district is “a caring community that supports public education,” and she’s now looking forward to getting to know students and educators at Brookside.
Aubrey Senterfitt, school nurse, Moretown/Waitsfield Elementary schools
A Moretown resident, Senterfitt has worked at UVM Children’s Hospital in inpatient pediatrics. Her education includes Westfield State University and the University of Massachusetts. “My children are in this district. Being able to work where I live and to be surrounded by a community that I love feels like a very special opportunity,” she said in the survey. She added that she’s looking forward to her new role as a school nurse. “I hope to grow my skills and make a difference in this community to the very best of my ability.”
Lena Boudreau, first/second-grade teacher, Moretown Elementary School
A graduate of St. Lawrence University and Saint Michael's College, Boudreau has worked in education in the Canaan Schools. “I am passionate about multi-age teaching and am excited for the opportunity to work with this new age group!” she said in the survey. The Montpelier resident said she’s also looking forward to getting to know the Moretown community.
Hayden Cheever, health/phys ed teacher, Crossett Brook Middle School
A Johnson resident, Cheever is a recent graduate of Springfield College who was drawn to the Harwood district for its “strong sense of community.” In addition to his new job at Crossett Brook, Cheever said he’s looking forward to fall foliage hikes this season.
Maddie Leroux, 5th-6th language arts/social studies teacher, Fayston Elementary School
A new UVM master's graduate, Leroux spent last school year at Harwood Middle School in a teaching internship. “I loved the district's commitment to fostering community. I was excited and grateful when an opportunity opened for me to stay in the district,” the Burlington resident said. Leroux is looking forward to “meeting all my students and their families, and growing with them throughout the school year.”
Maura Maxfield, special educator, Harwood Union High School
Maxfield brings a Ph.D. level of training to her new role. Her education includes St. Michael’s College and work experience at UMass Amherst as an assistant research professor in education and Landmark High School in Beverly, Massachusetts as a special educator.
“I chose Harwood because of the strong community and focus on individual students,” the Barre resident said in the survey. “I am excited to join the community, collaborate with new co-workers, and get to know my students!”
Anna Lisa Reynolds, school nurse, Harwood Middle/High School
A resident of South Duxbury, Reynolds now has a short commute. Her education includes undergraduate studies at Rutgers University and the University of Massachusetts Amherst for her nursing degree. Her work experience has included Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice. She said she sought the school nurse position because she “wants to be a part of the community I live in.” She’s looking forward to meeting students, learning what their needs are, and supporting their health goals.
Kathleen Shusdock, long-term science teacher sub, Harwood High School
A Harwood graduate, Shusdock lives in Milton and brings master's-level education from Northeastern University. She’s worked at Milton Middle School and says her strong connection to the Harwood community attracted her to this new position with new opportunities to look forward to.