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Where we create an inspiring, challenging, and supportive environment where students are encouraged and assisted in reaching their highest potential.

Pupil Personnel Services

Vision Statement

“Every student will gain the academic knowledge, functional skills, and independence needed to pursue post secondary options aligned with areas of interest and to participate meaningfully in their community.”

Advocacy for Each Student: We champion the rights and needs of every student, ensuring they have access to appropriate resources and support to thrive in their educational journey.Core Values

  • Creating a Safe Learning Environment: We are committed to fostering a secure and supportive classroom atmosphere where students feel protected, valued, and free to express themselves.
  • Understanding Individual Differences: We strive to deeply understand each student’s unique strengths and challenges, tailoring our approaches to meet their diverse needs effectively.
  • Compassionate and Kind Interactions: We approach each student with empathy and kindness, recognizing their experiences and emotions while providing encouragement and support.
  • Respectful Relationships: We maintain a respectful and inclusive environment by honoring each student’s individuality, listening actively, and valuing their contributions to the classroom community.

Christina Amanti Mathieu, Director of Pupil Personnel

​Mrs. Mathieu has served as the Director of Pupil Personnel since July 2022, following her role as Assistant Director beginning in 2020.  She began her teaching career over 20 years ago in Westerly as a Special Education teacher at State Street School. She has 11 years of experience as a Special Education teacher, specializing in students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related disorders. ​M​s. Mathieu also worked as a Local Education Agency Coordinator (LEA) at the middle school level for six years. In her role as Director of Pupil Personnel Services, she provides oversight, coordination and management of all things related to student services including compliance with Section 504 and IDEA, special education programming, mental health support, and other related services including speech language pathology, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. This community holds a special place in Christina's heart; she moved to Westerly in 2007 and started a family here in 2018. Her daughter currently attends Dunn​'s Corner​s Elementary School​.

​M​s. Mathieu holds a dual BA in Elementary and Special Education (2003) and a Master’s in Education in Administration (2016) both from Providence College, along with certifications in K-12 Building Administration​ and Special Education Administrator. In addition to her school leadership role, she is an adjunct professor at Johnson and Wales University, where she teaches a graduate course on specialized instruction.

Kaylee Harrison, Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel

Mrs. Harrison serves as the Assistant District Director of Pupil Personnel at Westerly Public Schools, a position she has held since July 2023. Prior to this, Mrs. Harrison served as the MTSS Coordinator for Westerly Public Schools, where she coordinated district-wide systems and supported staff in data-based decision-making and intervention planning.  Before joining Westerly, Mrs. Harrison worked as a School Psychologist, Out-of-District Liaison in Special Education and SRBI Coach for two Connecticut school districts.  With a strong background in educational leadership and school psychology, Mrs. Harrison brings over a decade of experience in special education, student support services, and multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS).  

In her current role, Mrs. Harrison supports school-based teams with ensuring compliance with special education regulations and IEP timelines, and she facilitates professional development for special educators, related service providers, and paraprofessionals. She oversees Extended School Year (ESY) programming, mental health professionals and MTSS practices and procedures.  Mrs. Harrison is a certified School Psychologist and holds an Educational Leadership Certification in both Connecticut and Rhode Island.  She is deeply committed to building capacity within school teams and creating systems that foster academic and social-emotional success for all students.

When not working directly with school teams, Mrs. Harrison is busy raising two small children and enjoys traveling, relaxing at the beach and spending time with family and friends.
 

Parent Information

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Karen Abruzzese

Secretary

Sandy Algiere

Executive Assistant

Christina Amanti Mathieu

Director of Pupil Personnel Services

Kaylee Harrison

Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel Services

Kathy Thomas

Secretary

Continuum of Services

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From the Desk of the Director of Pupil Personnel