3rd Grade

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Mrs. Kabochi

I am a positive and committed teacher to both students and their families. DeBerry has been my assigned school for the last 20 years. I have taught all subjects in 3rd grade, and I am looking forward to serving another year.



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Ms. Emma

 grew up in Suffield, CT with her mom, dad and two younger brothers named Nicolas and Matthew.  After high school, Ms. Emma went to college at Merrimack College in North Andover, MA.  She then developed her passion for teaching and moved to South Africa to teach English before joining the DeBerry team!

 

In her free time, Ms. Emma loves spending time with her family and friends.  She loves to read and be active: practicing yoga with her mom and going on walks and hikes with her dad!  She and her brothers take frequent trips to Boston, MA to visit their grandparents and other family members. 

 

Although school will look a little different this year, Ms. Emma is so excited to work with the DeBerry teachers, students, and families.  She looks forward to making learning fun and active to develop skills to use even outside of school!  



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 Mrs. Prairie

I am currently an ESL teacher at DeBerry. ESL is an abbreviation for English as a Second Language. I work with students who speak a language other than English at home. Many times, this includes students that are new to the United States. I love welcoming students to our country and providing them with a safe and comfortable environment in which to get acclimated.  Unfortunately, I do not speak another language. I wish that I did!  I encourage all my students to be sure to keep their first language as they learn English.  Being fluent in two languages is very special.  

I was born and raised in Springfield and our City will always hold a special place in my heart. I attended Washington Street Elementary School in Springfield.  Two of my three children attended Talmadge Elementary School.  All three were born in Springfield and lived there for a while. We now live in Wilbraham.  I live with my husband, Jeff, my three children Michael, Richie and Ann Marie and our dog, Teddy.  Except for Teddy, all of my family has visited DeBerry from time to time and love to meet my students.  Many of my students all know my mom, as well. We call her Mee Mee.  She sometimes reads with my students and loves them as much as I do. 

I wanted to be a teacher when I was a little girl.  As I got older, I changed my mind. I went to Western New England College (now it’s called Western New England University) and studied political science. I worked for a State Representative for 7 years.  I went on to serve as Director of Government Relations for the City of Springfield from 1997-2000.  I stopped working when my second son was born. When my boys attended Talmadge, I was president of the PTO and loved being in the school. I started to substitute teach a lot.  I really wanted to become a teacher.  I went back to school to receive my Master’s in Education from Cambridge College. I am so happy that I did! I am proof that it is never too late to achieve your dreams!

When I am not teaching, I enjoy reading and planning travel for my friends and family.  

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Mrs. Torres

I will be coteaching all subjects in Grade 3. I have been a teacher at DeBerry for over 20 years. I was born in Puerto Rico, but currently live in Springfield, Ma.  I have two adult daughters, and live with my husband, and two dog Rocky and Dexter. 

I enjoy spending time with family, and friends, as well as serving in my local church.  I grew up in Springfield, attended Springfield Public Schools, and graduated from the High School of Commerce. I am a first-generation college graduate with a full scholarship from AIC. I currently hold a master’s degree in Special Education.  My role as a co-teacher is to work together with the general ed teacher to accommodate and/or modify the Grade 3 common core standards in order to meet the individual needs of special need students.

I look forward to working together with the Grade 3 teachers, students, and their families to make this a very successful and productive school year!