Roger Chagnon III replaced long-time music and band teacher Helen Ihasz. Submitted Photo

WESTFIELD — All pandemic struggles aside, it can be difficult to take the place of a long-term, well-loved teacher.

Westfield Academy and Central School welcomed eight new teachers for the 2021-22 school year. The new faculty members replaced six long-time teachers whose combined service totaled nearly two centuries.

The new teachers not only faced the challenge of replacing those who built a legacy in the district, but also had to deal with the challenges created by the pandemic. Nonetheless, they are doing great and loving the district.

“I have absolutely loved working here at WACS,” said Keely Geise, high school English teacher. “I would love to spend the rest of my career here.”

Geise said her approach is to make sure that each student “knows they are seen, appreciated and loved.”

She said she believes her attitude is critical to help the students learn.

“I have a huge passion for reading and writing in my own personal life and I think that passion is contagious to my students. They can’t help but get swept up in it,” she said.

Geise said she is trying to balance the old and the new.

“It is always nerve-wracking when you have big shoes to fill,” she said. “While I truly wanted to make this position my own, I wanted to make sure I was still incorporating the things that students had enjoyed in the past,” she said.

Nonetheless, Geise said she is not trying to imitate her predesessor.

“I am teaching a few of the same books, but I have mostly built a fresh curriculum from scratch. I want to make sure everything we do is modern, fresh and relevant to the students,” she said.

Geise said she is very impressed by WACS.

“The support from staff, respect and hard work from students, and overall school environment is nothing short of inspirational,” she said. “I have felt so welcomed since I arrived for my first interview.”

Roger Chagnon III, who filled the position left by vacant by high school music teacher and band director Helen Ihasz, grew up in Westfield and attended WACS.

“My roots run deep at WACS and I am proud to once again count myself among the outstanding faculty and staff,” he said. “I believe I bring an infectious energy and love for music-making that will inspire young musicians.”

During his high school years, Chagnon had his predecessor as his teacher and states, foremost, that there is no replacing her.

“Helen Ihasz will forever inhabit an honored spot among the pantheon of music educators, in my opinion,” he said. “I count myself blessed to call her not only my band director, but also my colleague and friend.”

Chagnon said that he was advised during his undergraduate studies, that in the first year of teaching at a new school, one should “basically teach the previous teacher’s programs with minor tweaks,” he said.

“Find out what works for the students, what they enjoy and what they do not . . . the first year is getting a lay of the land, but, also plotting the course that makes sense for me.”

Chagnon said that he definitely hopes to remain with the district for many years.

“I am ‘home’ again. I am thankful for the opportunity to make music with young Westfield musicians and I plan on continuing doing so for as long as I am able,” he said.

Unlike many of the new teachers, Art teacher Mallory Vallieres did not replace a long-term teacher. Her predecessor was only at WACS for a year and a half. However, she said, she is focusing on staying in tune with the WACS spirit.

“I have initiated my own programs for all of my classes, but I am staying true to the fun, engaging and respectful learning environment that the WACS middle/high school art program had,” she said. “This program is what inspired me as a student and allows me to do what I love for a career.”

Vallieres, who graduated from WACS in 2007, brings ten years of teaching experience to the district. She hopes to remain there for many years.

“The Westfield community and WACS are home to me,” she said. “My husband and two kids are getting settled in Westfield after our move last summer.”

Vallieres said she feels lucky to be employed by the district. “The administration, faculty and staff are incredibly supportive,” she said. “It is a dream to be working and living in a community I love so much.”

While all of the new teachers expressed favorable impressions during their first months with the district, Chagnon perhaps summarized the general perception that they seemed to have.

“This community of educators starts with the bus drivers . . . it continues with the buildings, grounds and maintenance staff,” he said. “The secretaries, staff and administrators support the teachers, who in turn get to spend face time with students. I label it a ‘community of educators’ because we are all here for that purpose.”