Southbridge Public Schools Recognizes  Distinguished Early Career Educators 

SOUTHBRIDGE, MA – Receiver/Superintendent Jeffrey A. Villar would like to recognize Southbridge Public Schools’ 2023 Distinguished Early Career Educators.

The following teachers have been recognized as 2023 Distinguished Early Career Educators: Rebecca Wells, Qourtne Mazier-Young, Melissa Carter, Lyndsay Makie, Lauren Paradis, Emily Bailey-Gates, Dezyre Morales, Bethany MacPherson, and Benedicta Wright.

“On behalf of the entire district, I want to congratulate our 2023 Distinguished Early Career Educators,” said Receiver/Superintendent Villar. “In only a short period of time, these educators have made a positive impact on not only the lives of their students but the faculty and staff they work alongside and it is a pleasure to give them this well-deserved recognition.”

The Distinguished Early Career Educator is a designation awarded to Southbridge Public School teachers who are within the first three years of their teaching career in Southbridge. Teachers who are eligible for this recognition are identified by their building principal as having had exceptional achievement in level in any of the following areas: instructional skills, positive attitude, collaboration with peers, demonstration of commitment to continuous personal growth, and maintaining high expectations for students, colleagues, and themselves. 

Rebecca Wells, Eastford Road Elementary School 

Wells has served as a literacy coach for the Eastford Road Elementary School for the past two years. During this time, she has coached Eastford Road teachers, led a newly formed literacy team of reading interventionists, and became a Student Support Team Facilitator.

Wells’ work with the Student Support Team has helped align and ensure reading intervention and math support for students. 

Wells previously served as a K-5 Literacy Coach at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School of Excellence. Prior to this role, she served as a preschool teacher for 12 years in the Holyoke School District before becoming the pre-k instructional leadership specialist for the City of Holyoke. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Westfield State University.

Qourtne Mazier-Young, Southbridge High School 

Mazier-Young has served as an adjustment counselor at Southbridge High School for the past three years. During this time, he has had the opportunity to connect with students and provide a variety of counseling interventions to support their social-emotional needs.

Prior to joining the Southbridge Public School district, Mazier-Young held various positions within community-based mental health organizations supporting children, adolescents, and their families.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in human service from Mount Saint Mary College and a master’s degree in social work from Fordham University.

Melissa Carter, Southbridge Academy

Carter has served as a school adjustment counselor at Southbridge Academy for one year. During this time, she has primarily worked with students in grades six through nine. 

Prior to this role, Carter served as an adjustment counselor for the Worcester School District for four years. She has also previously worked with children who were transitioning home from hospital and/or residential settings.

She holds a master’s degree in clinical counseling from Assumption College. 

Lyndsay Makie, Southbridge Middle School

Makie currently serves as a special education teacher at Southbridge Middle School. She also serves on the Southbridge Public Schools Instructional Leadership Team and as a Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) coach. 

Additionally, she works with students beyond the typical school day through the district’s 21st-Century After-School Program and Summer Academy.

Makie first joined Southbridge Public Schools as a student teacher in January 2021 before being appointed to the role of a full-time substitute teacher.

She holds a master’s degree in teaching from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and an initial license in teaching special education students with moderate disabilities.

Lauren Paradis, West Street School

Paradis currently serves as a special education teacher for grades two and three at the West Street School. This is her first year teaching in the Southbridge Public Schools district.

Prior to this role, Paradis served as a special education teacher for six years in the Worcester Public School District.

She holds a master’s degree in special education with a focus in Autism from Texas
Tech University, and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and special
education from Southern New Hampshire University.

Emily Bailey-Gates, Eastford Road Elementary School

Bailey-Gates currently serves as a first-grade teacher at Eastford Road Elementary School. This is her third year teaching in the Southbridge Public Schools district. 

Bailey-Gates is also a member of the Family Engagement Committee where she plans activities for students and their families.

Prior to this role, Bailey-Gates served as a social worker in Rhode Island. She holds a master’s degree in early childhood education from Lesley University and a bachelor’s degree in community health and wellness from Rhode Island College.

Desyree Morales, Southbridge Middle School

Morales currently serves as an eighth-grade English Language Arts teacher at Southbridge Middle School. She also serves on the school’s planning committee and previously coached girls’ basketball.

Morales previously worked at Southbridge Academy in 2022 as a ninth-grade English Language Arts teacher before serving in her current role. 

Morales has also previously served as a seventh and eighth-grade history teacher in Hartford, CT. 

She holds a master’s degree from Morgan State University. 

Bethany MacPherson, Southbridge High School

MacPherson currently serves as a ninth-grade English Language Arts teacher at Southbridge High School. She has been working at Southbridge Public Schools for one year. In addition to her current role, McPherson serves as a class advisor for the Class of 2026.

Previously, MacPherson taught in the field of early education for nine years.

MacPherson holds a bachelor’s degree in history and social studies from Bridgewater State University. In 2022, she completed the Accelerated Post-Baccalaureate Program at Bridgewater State University. 

Benedicta Wright, Southbridge Academy

Wright currently serves as a school adjustment counselor at Southbridge Academy. She has been working at Southbridge Academy for three years. 

She enjoys working with her students to help them understand and regulate their emotions while helping them develop skills and strategies to navigate any challenges and opportunities that they might encounter on their educational journey.

Prior to this role, Wright served as a social worker at a community health center.

Wright holds a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from Wheelock College and a bachelor’s degree in sociology and psychology from Fitchburg State University.

Distinguished Early Career Educators

Annually, each building principal nominates no more than two teachers for consideration as Distinguished Early Career Educators. Nominated Individuals are required to submit an application to be considered for final selection. The Receiver will then review applications and make the final selection.

Teachers selected for this recognition will receive a stipend of $3,500 for the school year immediately following their selection. Distinguished Early Career Educators Teachers will be expected to fulfill duties above and beyond their classroom responsibilities including sharing effective instructional strategies with their colleagues or participating in new teacher orientation.

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