WEST SPRINGFIELD — Lisa Maccrone always wanted to be an elementary physical education teacher. It took her 10 years to achieve that goal after starting in 1986 at West Springfield Middle School as a health teacher.
When there was an opening for a physical education teacher at the former Cowing Elementary School, she applied for it and was hired. That school later merged with Coburn School, and she has been there since.
Reminder Publishing photo by Mike Lydick
“As a K-5 teacher, I may have students for six years, so it’s nice to be able to see students grow,” said Maccrone.
Retiring this month after more than 37 years as a West Springfield teacher, she is among six teachers and two paraprofessionals retiring from the district during the 2023-24 school year.
“I will miss the joy of teaching in an elementary school and hearing fun stories, such as how a student’s tooth fell out,” said the Springfield resident. “But I won’t miss having to drive to work in bad winter weather.” Maccrone has actually been teaching for 40 years, since she taught in another district for two years before coming to West Springfield.
While Maccrone has noticed that some student behaviors have become more challenging over the years, she said a positive change in West Springfield’s schools since she began teaching there is that the student population has become more diverse.
“Teaching students who don’t speak English has been a challenge I’ve enjoyed,” Maccrone said. “Trying to find different ways to communicate directions, or to find another student who could help, made teaching interesting for me. It was also a challenge to transition from the old Coburn School to the new one, especially since there was construction still going on in the gym when it first opened.”
It’s not surprising that Maccrone became a teacher, since both her parents were teachers.
“They were loving and supportive parents who inspired me to also become a teacher. I love sports, so I was interested in becoming a physical education teacher and coach,” said Maccrone, who coached the field hockey team at West Springfield High School for nine seasons.
Some of her proudest moments as a teacher came when she successfully helped other teachers put on an event, such as field days. Maccrone also felt enormous pride when her school was featured on the national TV show “Good Morning America.”
“It was fun, too,” she said.
As Maccrone prepares to join her colleagues in retirement, she has some sage advice for those entering the profession: “I would say to them, realize that there will be some challenges, but be patient and enjoy the positive moments when they happen.”
The other retiring West Side teachers this year are Albert Juliano, districtwide psychologist, after 15 years; Bernadette Lozinski, middle school reading interventionist (19½ years); Maureen Moynihan, high school science teacher (12 years); Joan Murphy, middle school art teacher (29 years); and Margaret St. Peter, Fausey School special education teacher (27 years). Retiring paraprofessionals are Deborah Bushey, high school special education para (5 years), and Donna Smart, John Ashley Kindergarten library para (20 years).
