Hear from our Staff
40+ Weeks of Gratitude Within Our Work
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It is my pleasure to introduce you to our "Moments of Gratitude" website, dedicated to celebrating and sharing the stories of our incredible staff members throughout the year. This platform is designed to highlight the everyday moments of gratitude that make our school community a thriving, supportive, and positive place to learn and work.
Gratitude is more than just a fleeting feeling; it is a powerful practice that can transform our personal and professional lives. Research has shown that regularly practicing gratitude can lead to improved mental health, increased resilience, and stronger relationships.
Why "Moments of Gratitude"?
In our fast-paced and demanding jobs, it is easy to overlook the small but significant moments that bring joy and fulfillment to our daily lives. "Moments of Gratitude" aims to shine a light on these instances, reminding us of the positive impact we have on each other and our students.
By sharing these stories, we hope to:
- Continue to build our culture of appreciation and recognition within and beyond our school community.
- Encourage staff members to reflect on and share their own moments of gratitude.
- Continue to build a supportive network where everyone feels valued and appreciated.
- Appreciate our educational setting and feel gratitude for our community.
Please read the stories shared by our staff members and contribute your own moments of gratitude.
Thank you for your dedication, hard work, and the countless ways you make our school a better place every day.
40+ Weeks of Gratitude Within Our Work
Week 13:
Shared by a friend, "If life is a never ending loop of dirty dishes and laundry then that means life is also a never ending loop of homecooked meals and comfy, clean clothes".
-Jaime Bernier
Week 12:
R2-D2 is in full production! The Electronics Engineering Technologies Shop is building a full scale operating R2-D2 Droid. Mr. Linehan stopped by today and added a coat of paint to the dome, of course our R2 will be in the school colors!!! Thank you OC Carpentry for letting us use your paint booth!
-Mr. Brush
This past weekend I hung out around the house, relaxed, watched my favorite show right now, and worked on my art. A quiet and calm weekend to say the least, but I am grateful for having the time to pursue my hobbies and have those lazy days outside of work.
-Ryan Richard
Week 11:
I am grateful for the number of staff who came to assist with our Open House on November 2nd. There is no better feeling than to greet our prospective students with a full representation of programming so they can get a "feel" for who we are and what we have to offer. Thank you to everyone who contributed.
-Aaron Polansky
I am grateful for the students who came in and supported our program for the Open House. We truly appreciate their time, energy, and commitment.
-Stacie Liberatore
I am grateful for my health and the people who offer me time to exercise while being a mom. At the end of the day, being able to do most things in life fall back on the status of your physical and mental health. It's not selfish to prioritize your health; don't forget to take care of you!
-Jaime Bernier
I am thankful for the energy students and English teachers put into their Gatsby celebration- it is always such a treat to see all their hard work and creativity! Thank you!
-Jessica Linehan
I'm thankful for all veterans who serve and have served their country admirably. "Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die." -G.K. Chesterton
-Gary Linehan
Week 10:
I feel very grateful to do what I do, even on the hard days when I go home, reflect, and remind myself that tomorrow is another chance to do better. I’m thankful for everything I have in my life and I truly recognize how lucky I am.
-Sarah Knight
While the majority of our Senior class is out on Co-op during the Shop cycle, we still have a few students left holding down the fort at our in school salon. On Tuesday these three young ladies worked together with two of the instructors to get 11 clients done in 4 hours! We even recruited 2 of the Sophomores to assist with one of the manicures! The jobs included complex hair color services, haircuts, blowouts and styling and manicures! We are proud of the students still putting in the work!!
-Jess Bearce
This week I'm grateful that my daughter transferred to URI this year. We have been able to attend a few football games now that she's so close. I'm also grateful that my son is stationed close enough that he was able to come to a game with us. I am very fortunate that my adult children actually want to hang out and spend time together whenever they can!
-Jess Bearce
I am so grateful to work at OC. Recently I had a death in the family. When his services fell on a day of an IEP meeting, Kristine was ready to jump in and run the meeting for me so I didn’t have to worry about it and Kelly gave me extra time for paperwork. I felt so supported and cared about by my team! ❤️ I also am very grateful for my co-teacher who supported me when I was sick this last week. Zack encouraged me to take whatever time I needed to get better and not stress about being at work because he knows how I am. 😃
-Stacy Hackett
I'm thankful for my humble beginnings. The home pictured is the house that my parents moved me and my siblings into in 1974- a direct result of the oil embargo of 1973. Due to the oil embargo the entire country fell into a recession and my father was laid off from his job at the General Motors assembly plant. We were tight, figuratively and literally. We made this our home until the Blizzard of 1978. With its storm surge and sea ice, it compromised the foundation and with the help of our Sikh neighbors my parents would move to a beautiful three bedroom house. Once we settled into our new home we would, and still do, comment on the love, camaraderie, and memories we made in a place known affectionately as the "Little House."
-Gary Linehan
Week 9:
Over the long Columbus Day Weekend, I got spend a lot of quality time with my kids. Charles has recently taken up running and he’s been jumping in for the last 2-3 miles of my weekend long runs. On Sunday, he and I ran a 5K together and had a great time talking and pushing ourselves. Then, on Monday, I got to coach my daughter and watch her push herself despite the fact that we were playing in a nor’easter. We spend over five hours in the cold rain and she didn’t complain at all. She played her hardest and cheered on her teammates. Seeing both of my kids grow into themselves is incredible.
This week, we want to say thank you to all the towns, organizations, and community partners for their continued support of OC Electrical's off-site work program. Every community project we take on—big or small—helps students learn real skills while giving back to the communities we’re proud to be part of. We’re grateful for every chance to get out there and make a difference!
-Tim Donnelly
I am grateful for the time spent with my Henry and Teddy this weekend, there is never a dull moment with these two.
-Kyle O'Neill
I am thankful for the seeds that feed us and the farmers who cultivate them.
-Gary Linehan
Week 8:
Week 7:
I am grateful for being able to be apart of the pep rally this year! This was the first time since my years in high school that I was able to see one and it brought back those fond memories. I am also grateful for being involved and helping out to make sure everything ran smoothly on the technical side.
-Ryan Richard
Week 6:
-Ms. Linehan
I am beyond grateful for my volleyball players. They continuously support one another. They work so hard and show great determination to improve everyday. They are some of the silliest and most positive players I have had. They bring so much joy to the gym everyday. They remind me everyday why I love coaching.
-Lauren McGowan
Week 5:
-Ryan Richard
I’m truly grateful for the time and thought a co-worker put into helping me process and flesh out some ideas. Their willingness to listen, ask thoughtful questions, and offer perspective not only brought clarity but also allowed me to move forward with greater focus. It means a lot to have someone who doesn’t just hear me out, but helps me think things through in a way that sharpens and strengthens the vision. Thank you for being such a generous sounding board and partner in the process.
-Bethany Botelho
Week 4:
So many of our Electronics Engineering Technologies Students are grateful for the $1,000 grant the PTO has given us to help us with the construction of our R-2 D-2 replica we are building in Robotics Club & our shop.
-Brandon Mendez
I am grateful for being granted the opportunity to work in a field I am passionate about, and to have limitless learning potential alongside a great team of staff and students! I am very excited to keep learning and supporting the school's mission as much as I can. I'm also grateful to have Kyle as not only a great boss, but a great mentor as well!
-Ryan Richard
Week 3:
I’m grateful to Old Colony for supporting my training at the Cape Cod Symposium. The experience has been incredibly helpful and validating for my counseling practice. I especially appreciated the sessions on mindfulness, trauma-informed care, polyvagal theory, and understanding behavioral adaptations. The discussions around digital dilemmas—including cyberbullying and youth suicide prevention—were also particularly impactful.
-Scott Boyle
I'm grateful for my dog, Harper. She's excited to see me no matter how many times I enter a room. "Pure joy" are the words that describe her personality. She's just so much fun and makes every day better just by being her!
-Cheryl Hebert
Over the course of the last week we've had the opportunity to begin sharing information about our MSBA journey with our member communities. The reception from our communities has been nothing short of amazing. I am grateful for the incredible support of Vocational Education that comes from our five member towns. More information about our project is available at www.OldColonyBuildingProject.com
-Aaron Polansky
I have gratitude for my co-teacher Zack. His support last year with my husband's situation and me being brand new to him was incredible. I am also thankful for his honest feedback which has helped us grow as a team. When asked by friends how the start to the school year has been, my answer is filled with positivity mostly due to the relationship we have built as a team.
-Stacy Hackett
I am so thankful for the support, teamwork, and dedication our staff! Your willingness to step in and help one another makes such a difference in our school community. I truly appreciate all that you do.
-Bethany Botelho
I am grateful to have Ryan on board at Old Colony—he’s hit the ground running and has already made a big impact in a short time. Excited to see all that we’ll accomplish together!
-Kyle O'Neill
Week 2:
It was great to settle back into our routine with the students - they all successfully passed their Basic Life Support and First Aid Certifications this week. It is wonderful to see their growth over the last four years as they prepare for cooperative education.
-Jaime Bernier
Week 1:
We were all grateful for the time that we were granted on Monday to set up our departments and prepare for our students to arrive. The extra time that we were given made the transition less stressful, and we all appreciated it! Thank you! It's the little things!
- Stacie Libertore
I am so grateful for having my whole shop here this year and for the first Monday we were able to spend setting up for the return of the students
- Sarah Knight
I have a lot to be grateful for when thinking back to the fall of last year. My husband received a kidney from his friend in October after being on dialysis for a year. He started back at work in January and is doing well. Not only am I grateful for that miracle, I am so grateful to the special ed team and staff at OC because everyone was so supportive with the time I needed at home with him. You know who you are. Thank you! =)
- Stacy Hackett
I'm thankful for beautiful poetry like Mary Oliver's Why I wake early. Poetry to me is one of the highest forms of human expression that truly captures the human experience succinctly.
Why I Wake Early
by Mary Oliver
Hello, sun in my face.
Hello, you who make the morning
and spread it over the fields
and into the faces of the tulips
and the nodding morning glories,
and into the windows of, even, the
miserable and crotchety–
best preacher that ever was,
dear star, that just happens
to be where you are in the universe
to keep us from ever-darkness,
to ease us with warm touching,
to hold us in the great hands of light–
good morning, good morning, good morning.
Watch, now, how I start the day
in happiness, in kindness.
- Gary Linehan
I am grateful to be part of the Old Colony community! I am especially grateful for having been able to work with my former instructor (Mr.D) for the last several years. Him and I were able to lean on each other through all the challenges we faced professionally and personally throughout our time working together. I know we will stay in touch and our friendship will continue on even though he has moved on to retirement. We couldn't have been more fortunate in finding his replacement. We landed another top notch person / instructor and I am excited about the future of the MFJT program! I get to continue to work side by side with 2 great guys and that is something I am grateful for each day!!
- Lucas Olivier
I am grateful and appreciative for the extra time we received to prep our classrooms on Monday. It made a big difference in preparing for the students. Thank you!
- Jaime Bernier
Grateful for my co-workers!
Although the first day of school with students went really well, I found myself feeling a little overwhelmed around lunchtime. During a quick conversation with Matt Trahan, he reminded me to pause, take a breath, and enjoy the time with my students. His words were exactly what I needed to refocus and reframe my thoughts. I’m grateful for that simple but powerful pick-me-up.
- Bethany Botelho
I like to spend time lying in the grass, watching the birds show me the signs of the seasons. I watch them return in the Spring, their flock getting smaller by the day as they pair up. Their babies take to the skies, and they spend summer growing up until they join their flock for the first time. Last night I watched them all zipping by overhead, finding each other, all energized for some big trip. There is something so peaceful about it and it makes me feel closer to the earth.
- Jess Linehan
I am grateful for the safe return of staff and students and for the fact that we are fully staffed with a team of people committed to mentoring the "whole" student.
- Aaron Polansky