Decoteau’s New Role

New Third Grade Teacher at Salisbury Elementary School Takes Risk, But it Pays Off

Sarah+Decoteau+poses+in+her+classroom+during+her+first+day+in+the+district

courtesy photo

Sarah Decoteau poses in her classroom during her first day in the district

Energetic and vibrant. Two adjectives fellow third grade teacher Lisa Bissell describes new third grade teacher at Salisbury Elementary Sarah Decoteau. 

 James Montanari, Principal of Salisbury Elementary, has also acknowledged her great work so far. In an interview with Montanari, he said he has noticed how great she is in her new environment. He stated that “Ms. Decoteau has been great with making connections with her students and her students’ parents.”

 He has also complimented her on her taking a risk with joining the SES staff as a third grade teacher even though she is inexperienced with the 3rd grade because her past job was in the first grade. “I like people that take risks and get out of their comfort zone.” He has also stated his confidence in her filling the shoes of now retired third grade teacher at SES Jennifer Sheets.
Decoteau has worked to create relationships with her and other students even amidst the COVID pandemic. Her students in her “Lunch Bunch ” program are more than happy to be able to put students in breakout rooms so that her kids can have time with their friends during lunch where they can eat together and talk amongst each other without her monitoring everything they do. 

 She stated in our interview that she is “trying to give them social opportunities away from learning activities. She did express her frustration with the online schooling. Decoteau stated, “It is hard to make connections with the students when we are not all physically present in the classroom.” Obviously, she has been doing a great job adapting to the new environment, according to her colleagues

Fellow third grade teacher at SES Lisa Bissell describes Decoteau as ” young, vibrant, and energetic.” She explains that she is always jumping in to give her ideas during meetings and she is a pleasure to work with, but she said that she “fit right in” multiple times during the interview. 

Sarah Decoteau has been a great addition to SES and the Triton Community, her colleagues said. She has been very caring towards her students and has been able to make strong relationships with the parents. We hope she stays and creates a great environment for our youth to grow and learn in.