Let’s welcome our new teachers and counselors at Pine Bush High School for the start of this 2021-2022 school year.

 

Rachel Beam will be teaching algebra 1 and algebra 2 at the high school. “I am stoked to get to know the students face-to-face and am eagerly looking forward to learning about the culture and traditions here at PBHS!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caitlin Billesimo is a leave replacement in the guidance department for students with the last names that fall between L-N. She graduated with a bachelor’s in Business from SUNY New Paltz, and master’s in School Counseling from Long Island University. “I am looking forward to this upcoming school year and creating meaningful relationships with my students by supporting them with

all of their SEL/academic needs.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rebecca Carr, who goes by Becky, is coming home to Pine Bush! She is a graduate of PBHS and will be teaching social studies at her alma mater this year. “I am thrilled to be back in my hometown after several years in New York City and I cannot wait to get into the classroom to have discussions about history and how it affects our lives to this day.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ashleigh Hahn is thrilled to be joining Pine Bush High School as this year’s vocal music director and drama teacher. With 15 years of teaching experience, Ashleigh joins us after eight years of teaching in Connecticut and six years of teaching on Long Island. Her previous choirs have traveled internationally and received dozens of awards, including Superior and Gold ratings and Overall Best Choir designations. For over a decade, she performed in a professional jazz trio as well as a post-collegiate a cappella ensemble that performed for the television show The Sing Off. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Thomas, who is an English teacher and published novelist, and her two daughters, Evelyn and Dylan. She is most looking forward to making connections with the students of Pine Bush and challenging them to become their best through music.

 

 

 

 

Jessica Johnson is a new school counselor at the high school. She is “looking forward to a great first year at PBHS!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Melanie Lesczynski will be teaching 9th and tenth grade English. Melanie graduated from Pine Bush High School and is looking forward to returning. “I am most looking forward to returning to the school that helped to shape me and my love for learning. I hope to be a positive influence on my students the same way so many of my PBHS teachers were for me.”

 

 

 

 

 

Kathleen O’Malley will be starting her first year at Pine Bush High School as a ninth grade ELA teacher. “I’m really excited to meet my new students and welcome them to their freshman year. I look forward to getting to know everyone and helping students to use the skills and content from our ELA class in their own lives.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Randall Wright is a veteran teacher, with this being his 17th year in the profession. He has a master’s degree in secondary science education, special education certificate and a N.S in environmental science. He spent 10 years working as a kayak guide and naturalist in the Puget Sound, most notably working with the resident Orcas (featured in the movie “Black Fish”). He lived in Costa Rica and worked as a cloud forest naturalist/guide at the Montaverde Cloud Forest Reserve. He and his wife recently built an off-the-grid passive solar-heated house on an organic farm in Port Jervis with their three children.  The house was designed by his former AP environmental science students.  Mr. Wright likes farm work, to play music and to build things, in addition to many outdoor activities including boating, biking, camping, hiking, fishing, foraging, hunting and underwater exploration. “I am so happy to start working at Pine Bush!! It is my life goal to work and live in New York. I honestly couldn’t be happier than to serve such beautiful community.”

 

Sarah Ferry will be the assistive technology specialist for the district, traveling to all seven schools. “I grew up in and attended Pine Bush schools, so the thing that I am most looking forward to is being a part of the district and community that gave so much to me. I feel like I’m coming home! I’m excited to learn and to grow with staff, students, and the Pine Bush community alike.”