Student Teacher Profiles

Matt Knieling

Matt Knieling attended Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. “I’ve wanted to be an English teacher since I was in high school. I never changed my major in college.” Matt is currently teaching two freshman seminar sessions, Honors English 10, AP English 12, and Writing Workshop. He is a student teacher for English teacher Kristen Hamilton. Knieling saud that he’s really enjoying his experience at the high school.

“It’s going great. I love it,” said Knieling. “The school is great, students are great and the staff is really supportive.”

Matt also said, “I like the school because it was a lot like my school in Michigan so I think that helped with the transition.”

Knieling has been teaching at the high school since January.

Veronica Fenton

Veronica Fenton graduated from Suffolk University Law School in 1991. She ran her own private law practice until 2013 and said that she decided to change careers and become a history teacher. “I want to teach high school social studies with particular emphasis on government, politics, law, public speaking and advocacy.”

She is teaching two sections of US History 10 and is and assisting Social Studies teacher Travis Chaput in teaching American Law and Mock Trial. “I really like the students and staff I have met,” Fenton said. “Some challenges that I am having are trying to plan and keep track of assignments as well as pay attention to the rotating schedule and when my classes will meet.”

Paige Schonher

Paige Schonher is originally from Colorado, but is currently a student at Mount Holyoke College. She wants to eventually become a high school history teacher. Schoner has been at South Hadley full time since January after teaching one class at Amherst Regional High School. After observing several social studies classes, Schonher is now filling in for some of Social Studies teacher Tim Balut’s Honors World History classes. While Schonher said she has been enjoying her experience at the high school so far, she said that it is definitely a challenge teaching something new. “Everyday is a challenge because you teach a class you’ve never taught before,” said Schonher.

Camilla Chodkowski

Camilla Chodkowski is one of the two student teachers in Mr. Masenior and Ms. Gagnon’s Biology classes. She has been observing classroom style teaching in their classes since October and she is here now full time since January, but only started her teaching in February. She states “When I met Mr. Masenior and observed his classes in the fall, I knew immediately that I wanted to work with him. Working at South Hadley meant I also got to teach an Honors class…with Ms. Gagnon.” Chodkowski also stated that she wants her students that she teaches to be successful. “I want my students to be prepared for the real world. Understanding the living world around you and how you play a role in it is amazing in itself. If I don’t impart that in my students, then I’ve got a lot of work left ahead of me.”

Danielle Macco

Danielle Macco is the second student teacher for Mr. Masenior and Ms. Gagnon’s Bio classes. She attended Smith college as an undergrad and she is currently continuing her graduate studies. Before graduate school, she taught the past three summers at California State University Los Angeles’ Upward Bound program. “I don’t know how to sum up my experience at South Hadley without rambling on but this experience has been so transformative. I love the school’s environment and most importantly, I have really grown to love the people that make up this school,” said Macco. “The people I’ve met so far have been nothing but friendly and welcoming to me.” Maco has been observing classes since September and teaching at the high school since January.

Wright may be reached at [email protected]

Hoagland may be reached at [email protected]