Back to School

Veterans Early Learning Center prepares for the new school year; eight new educators join the school staff

By Tara Vocino

SAUGUS – Veterans Early Learning Center teachers were busy preparing their classroom on Monday morning for the start of a new school year next week. Principal Michael Mondello said he and the school staff are excited to have eight new educators joining the Veterans Early Learning Center family, which serves Saugus students in pre-K, kindergarten and first grade.

“The new staff come from different experiences and are all eager to start a new chapter in their teaching/learning careers,” Mondello said in an interview this week.

“We currently have one educator from Saugus who is brand new to teaching and to our preschool program.”

Although the school will not feature any new programs or curriculum this year, the staff has adopted three new curricula over the first four years, so they are eager to use their experience and curricular knowledge to enhance learning experiences, deepen instructional routines and facilitate high levels of learning.

“The biggest challenge will be supporting our new staff and ensuring they have the tools and knowledge to deliver a high-quality instructional learning experience for all students,” Mondello said.

First grade teacher Amanda Jacquier, who is in her second year teaching in Saugus, said it’s the best district that she has worked in, since coming from Connecticut. “I have support from administrators and teachers here,” Jacquier said. “I love to see students grow in their own way as individuals.”

First grade inclusion teacher Heather Karland, 23, who came from Sunderland Elementary School, was hanging a word wall to help students learn how to read. “I want them to be successful in today’s society,” Karland said. “I’m looking forward to having my own classroom.”

The Essex resident earned her Bachelor’s in early childhood education from University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2025.

Kindergarten general education teacher David Warde, 25, of Rockport, said he’s looking forward to having more fun in his second year of teaching. “I’m planning more lessons around the basic curriculum,” Warde said. “Everyone here has been super helpful.”

Warde earned his bachelor’s from University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2022, starting out as a physical education teacher.

Integrated pre-kindergarten teacher Cheyann Tooman, 24, was setting up her classroom with her son, Jeremy Polonia, 3. She was a teacher’s assistant and lead teacher at Beverly School for the Deaf last year. “I’m looking forward to working with the littles,” Tooman said. “Challenges would be classroom management style and establishing a routine.”

The Beverly resident earned her Bachelor’s in early childhood education from Gordon College in 2024, and she is working on her Master’s there.

Saugus Middle High School teachers will be in their classrooms on Monday. Classes begin for first grade students on Tuesday (Aug. 26) and school begins on Wednesday (Aug. 27) for pre-K and kindergarten.