It is with great pleasure that I announce that Dr. Ryan J. Donaher has been selected as assistant principal of West Elementary. Dr. Donaher joins us from the Lura A. White Elementary School in Shirley, Massachusetts. As an assistant principal at White Elementary, he led the comprehensive implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) at the elementary level.

Dr. Donaher is a seasoned instructional leader, having served in roles including team leader, instructional coach, secondary coordinator of first-year teacher induction and mentoring, adjunct professor of education, and public school administrator. Dr. Donaher played a key role in advancing district-wide equity initiatives, working to address disparities in student outcomes and ensure more equitable access to educational opportunities across the district.

Dr. Donaher holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Secondary Education from Assumption College, a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (C.A.G.S.) in Educational Leadership from the University of Massachusetts Boston, and both a Master of Education in English and Language Arts Education and a Doctorate in Education Policy and Leadership Studies (PK–12) from Boston University.

Dr. Donaher and I look forward to welcoming our community to a series of welcome events later this summer.

We anticipate the date of Friday, August 8th for class placements to be available, as our student information system transitions to the 2025–26 school year within the first few weeks of August. You’ll receive an email once the information is ready, letting you know it’s time to log in to the Aspen Portal to view your child’s teacher assignment. This is the same portal you use to access report cards and update emergency contact information.

We are so excited to welcome you and your child to the West Elementary community! As we prepare for the start of the school year, we invite you to join us for two upcoming events designed to help your family feel at home and begin building connections.

📚 Story Hour with Principal Cobbs and Assistant Principal Donaher
Date: Tuesday, July 30
Time: 1:30–2:15 PM
Location: West El Library/Media Center
Come join us for a special story hour in our school library. It's a wonderful opportunity for your child to meet our school leaders and enjoy a story in a cozy, welcoming environment.

🍦 Popsicles on the Playground
Date: Wednesday, August 21
Time: 5:00–6:30 PM
Location: Front Playground
Hosted by the West El PTO, this informal gathering is a chance for incoming kindergarten families to meet each other, connect with new classmates, and enjoy a popsicle on the playground!

We hope you’ll join us for both events. We can’t wait to meet you and begin this exciting journey together!

Dr. Donaher and I are happy to announce some new educators to the West El Community. As things continue to evolve, we look forward to sharing more news!

Catherine Bannister: Ms. Bannister will join the grade four team this year. Ms. Bannister holds a Master's degree in Elementary Education from Lesley University and is presently working on her Master's degree in Special Education. A fourth grade teacher for two years, Ms. Bannister has a strong passion for STEAM Education and brings experience in program development in this area, as well as specialized training designed to support the inclusion of students with disabilities. . Welcome Ms. Bannister!

Molly Maturah
Ms. Maturah will be joining the BRIDGE Program as Lead Teacher this year. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and brings seven years of experience working with children and young adults requiring support for Autism Spectrum Disorder, both in community-based and educational settings. Most recently, Ms. Maturah has served as an Instructional Assistant and Long-Term Substitute Teacher in our very own BRIDGE Program. We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Maturah to her new role at West El!

Sara Espinal
Ms. Espinal will be joining our Social Work Team this year. A licensed School Adjustment Counselor, she holds a Master’s Degree from Wheelock College and has provided services in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire—most recently at the elementary level in the Lawrence Public Schools. Her experience working with school-aged children is further enriched by her time at the Justice Resource Institute, where she spent two years counseling, advocating for, and supporting families with children ages 3 to 17. We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Espinal to West El!

Chris Stimson
We are happy to welcome Mr. Stimson to our Music Department! He holds a Master’s Degree in Music Education from the Longy School of Music of Bard College. Prior to joining us in Andover, Mr. Stimson gained valuable experience as a general music teacher, choral director, and band and strings instructor at the elementary level. We are thrilled to have him on board and look forward to the musical energy he will bring to West El!

Laura Centofanti
We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Centofanti back to West El this year! A dedicated educator with a long-standing career in Andover, Ms. Centofanti has been a familiar and valued presence in our ESL program for many years. This year, she will be supporting students in grades PreK–5 across both West Elementary and Shawsheen. We’re so glad to have her back—welcome, Ms. Centofanti!

Kaylee Knox
Ms. Knox will be transitioning from her role as an Inclusion Special Education Teacher to serve as the Lead Teacher in our BRIDGE Program. She holds an undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Education, as well as a Master’s of Education in Special Education. Ms. Knox brings valuable knowledge of the general education curriculum, a strong foundation in the Science of Reading, and deep expertise in Eureka Math. We are excited for all that she will bring to her new role at West El!

Johanna Wizboski
Ms. Wizboski will be transitioning from her role as a Kindergarten teacher to join the First Grade team this year. She holds a degree in Teacher Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Education, Human Development, and Human Services. Ms. Wizboski’s expertise in developing foundational literacy and numeracy skills in young learners will be a wonderful asset to our First Grade programming. We are excited to see her continue to make an impact at West El in this new role!

Debbie Powers
We are excited to share that Ms. Powers will be joining the Grade Five teaching team this year! A long-standing and highly regarded educator at West El, Ms. Powers consistently brings excellence to her teaching practice. Her strong content knowledge, collaborative spirit, and positive energy will be a wonderful addition to the fifth grade team. We’re thrilled for this next chapter—welcome, Ms. Powers!

Mariska Pierce-Tacy
West El is happy to welcome back Ms. Pierce-Tacy to our Special Education Team! A long-time educator at West El, Ms. Pierce-Tacy brings a positive spirit, deep knowledge of specialized reading instruction, and a high level of expertise in the field of Special Education. Her return further strengthens our growing team, and we are so glad to have her back. Welcome, Ms. Pierce-Tacy!

With the start of the 2025-26 school year, there will be some changes in traffic patterns. School buses will continue to enter the site from High Plain Road, drop off or pick up students behind the new school, and exit onto Beacon Street. Families dropping off or picking up their students at West El will enter school grounds from the southern entrance on Beacon Street, make an immediate right turn, proceed in a counter-clockwise pattern, drop off or pick up on the outer loop in front of the school, and exit the site at the same place where they entered on Beacon St. Families dropping off or picking up their students at Shawsheen will enter school grounds from the northern entrance on Beacon Street, proceed in a counter-clockwise pattern, drop off or pick up on the inner loop in front of the school, and exit the site at the southern entrance on Beacon St. See attached diagram. Dr. Donaher and I will collaborate with our community to ensure the timely, safe and efficient arrival and dismissal we all want and deserve.

For those caregivers seeking our annual classroom supply list, you may find that information below. Please note that these are requests not requirements and while we appreciate any contributions, we will ensure that all students have adequate supplies. https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4617/WES/5801298/West_El_-_Supply_Lists_-_2025-2026.pdf