Region One Director of Pupil Services to Retire at End of the School Year
Falls Village, Connecticut (February 7) - On February 6, 2023, Martha Schwaikert, Region One’s Director of Pupil Services gave notice of her retirement effective June 30, 2023. Mrs. Schwaikert has worked in special education for Region One for the past 35 years. She began her career at Kent Center School 1988. In 1993, she moved on to teach middle school at Salisbury Central School for twelve years. In 2005, she transferred to Housatonic Valley Regional School, thus accomplishing her personal goal of having taught at each grade level in the District. From 2009 to 2021, Mrs. Schwaikert was the Supervisor of Special Education for the Region and became the Director in October of 2021.
In her letter to Superintendent Lisa Carter, Mrs. Schwaikert shared that she is retiring now in order to spend more time with her family and to pursue other interests outside of the realm of special education. She also shared that she wished to thank the Region One community, “for all of the opportunities and experiences it has provided me throughout these many years. I have had the pleasure of working with so many amazing teachers, families and colleagues, but the truly exciting and rewarding work has always been the work that was done with and for our students. I have worked with hundreds of fantastic children on navigating their educational journeys and whenever I have the good fortune to encounter any of them as adults, whether as parents, community members, or sometimes even colleagues, I am always so very proud of who they have become. No other job can provide that level of human reward, and I feel exceptionally grateful for having been provided the experience.”
Superintendent Lisa Carter stated, “ Martha is a caring and outstanding educator who has devoted her life to providing an excellent education to Region One students and supporting their families. Additionally, she is an excellent leader, colleague, and mentor, who is highly regarded by all Region One staff, administration, and Boards of Education. We are all profoundly sad to say goodbye to Martha, but wish her all the best in the next steps of her life journey.”.
Pat Mechare, Chairperson of the Region 1 Board of Education commented, “Martha has been an important and respected player in the area of special education in Region One for 35 years. Her knowledge of special education methodology and her approach to students in her care has changed the lives of many. She will be missed for her advocacy, insightfulness, good humor and ability to meet difficult challenges.”
Superintendent Carter will work with the Region One Board of Education to fill the Director of Special Education position this spring.