Congratulations to the following 10 educators and staff members who were honored May 20, 2025 by the Wellesley Education Foundation for 25 years of service to the Wellesley Public Schools! The honorees were:
Darcie Ayer, 7th Grade Science Teacher at WMS
Darcie has been teaching science at Wellesley Middle School since 1999. She has taught seventh and eighth grades and has collaborated with some outstanding colleagues. She attributes the meaningful and enjoyable aspects of her work to the many students she has had the privilege of teaching.
Ellen Banthin, 5th Grade Teacher at Sprague
Ellen started teaching fifth grade at Schofield Elementary School in 1999 with Carolyn Collins and Leonie Nakayama. She was there for two and a half years, leaving to go on maternity leave for her first child, Emily, now 23 years old! She took a little extra time off, returning to fifth grade at Sprague in 2003, taking over for Kim Casalena who was going out on maternity leave. She ended up staying at Sprague, teaching fifth grade there for all but one year. After her son, Noah, was born in 2005, she joined a job share for a second grade classroom with her very good friend Lisa Mortarelli. After that, she returned to room 223 to teach fifth and has been there ever since.
Dr. Jamie Chisum, Principal of WHS
Jamie began his career teaching English at Wellesley High where he also served three years as Faculty Senate President and six years as the varsity boys and girls track coach. He then became an assistant principal for seven years, with a one-year stint as the interim principal of Wellesley Middle School. For the past eleven years, he has served as the Principal of Wellesley High School.
Ann Cole, 6th Grade Special Educator at WMS
Ann started out at Upham Elementary School in the fall of 1999 as a 1:1 aide for a third-grade boy. After having had a very difficult time in his early years at Upham, he had a very positive year with Ann and she continued on with him in fourth grade. During this time, the teachers at Upham mentored Ann and gave her the opportunity to take on more responsibility. She then became the special education TA in grades 3-5 for four years. She moved up to middle school and continued as a TA in 8th grade for two more years, then was hired as a special educator in 6th grade in the fall of 2007. During the 18 years she has held that position, she has been a learning center teacher for 6th grade, small group ELA teacher for 6th, 7th and 8th grade, and small group math teacher for 6th and 7th grade.
Margaret Flitsch, P.E. Teacher at Sprague
Margaret Flitsch started her time as a traveling teacher, going to three schools on most days (Bates, Hunnewell and WMS). She was thrilled to be asked to become the PE teacher at the new Sprague building in 2002 and has been there ever since! In addition to teaching K-5 students at Sprague, she has been instrumental to the success of the Sprague Community garden project since 2010 as well as planning special events with the Assembly Committee, the Social committee and with the PTO.
Nina Kahn, Literacy Coach at Hardy
When Nina joined WPS in 1999, she never imagined she would make Wellesley her career home for 25+ years. After 3 buildings, 3 Superintendents, 8 Principals, 4,500 days, 171,000 miles, and 1 global pandemic, she still loves the work. As a classroom teacher, Nina happily taught Hardy second graders until an unexpected opportunity to try something new presented itself in the form of a split literacy specialist position at Hardy and Hunnewell in 2011. Nina knew right away that learning alongside other educators and having the luxury of marveling at the literacy growth of students K-5 was her passion. When not immersed in the world of words and ideas, Nina spends time with her husband Jonas and son Mason (WHS class ‘24). She enjoys yoga, cats, the coast of Maine, and summers living off the grid.
J.J. Kelleher, Spanish Teacher at WMS
J.J. Kelleher began her teaching career at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School and then came to Wellesley Middle School in 1998. JJ found her true love of teaching at WMS! She has been teaching Spanish to 7th and 8th graders for over 25 years. She feels lucky to be part of this community where she has been lucky to work with an inspiring group of colleagues in the World Language department and all of her colleagues at WMS who have become like family to her. In 2021, she ran the Boston Marathon for the Wellesley Scholarship Foundation to give back to the community who has supported her all of these years. JJ loves still being in touch with many of her students who now have their own careers and families.
Michael Krieger, Science Teacher at WHS
This is Michael’s 26th year teaching physics at WHS (36th year overall). He has taught physics (all levels) and five years of chemistry. He was a Science Olympiad coach for a few years and has been a National Honor Society co-advisor for the past 20 years or so.
Karen Poole, 3rd Grade Teacher at Hardy
Karen came to Hardy in 1999 after teaching for 15 years in Maryland. She has spent most of her time teaching her favorite age students – third graders. Unbelievably supportive grade-level partners at Hardy and days spent with 8- and 9-year-olds have made the years fly by. She feels lucky to have spent her career in an environment where colleagues work hard, support each other, and enjoy having fun together. When not in Wellesley, Karen enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband Bob, either walking, kayaking, or gardening. Luke and Emily, her two children, fill her with joy every day.
Valerie Spruill, retired Administrative Assistant for HR at Central Office
Val was employed for twenty-five years with the Wellesley Public Schools. She began her tenure in December of 1999 providing administrative support to the Department Head of Student Services and when needed, covered for the Guidance Department Secretary. In November of 2009, she transferred to the Human Resources Office and retired on January 31, 2025. Val provided years of administrative experience in both her roles to the staff and students of the district. She is an avid dog lover and is now enjoying spending time at home with her Collie named Maddie. Val plans to eventually travel once her husband has retired and looks forward to the next chapter.