We are excited to feature Cassandra Bovie, who joined Hoosic Valley in March as the 4th grade special education teacher and has quickly become an integral part of the community. Over the summer, Cassandra completed her master’s in literacy at UAlbany, further enhancing her skills in teaching reading and writing. “I have enjoyed becoming a part of the Hoosic Valley community,” she shared.
As a special education teacher, one of Cassandra’s favorite moments is witnessing her students’ “aha!” moments—those instances when students make connections in their learning that lead to deeper understanding. “There’s nothing more powerful to me than watching students have an ‘aha!’ moment,” she said.
Cassandra’s recent achievement of completing her master’s has shaped her approach to teaching. “I have a deeper understanding of how my word choice impacts the confidence of my students as learners,” she explained. Cassandra has found great joy in building relationships with her students and incorporating their interests into literacy instruction. One of her favorite parts of teaching is gathering students for a read-aloud session, sparking thought-provoking discussions. “No child is ever too old for a read-aloud!” she emphasized.
Cassandra is grateful for the support of the 4th grade team—Johanna Gela, Britani Shambo, Greg Caswell, and Deb Van Valkenburg—who welcomed her and helped her navigate her first year at Hoosic Valley.
Her message is one of perseverance: “Take each day at a time. Even just a small step each day in the direction of your goals will help you reach your dreams.”
