GOWANDA — The Gowanda Board of Education granted tenure to five district employees at its latest meeting. Kaitlyn Agen, Amanda Bean, Anna Clark, Chelsea Mead, and Taylor Vanderzell were honored with receiving tenure status.

Agen, a Speech and Language Pathologist, was recommended for tenure by Elementary Principal Chelsea Kroll. In her letter of recommendation, Kroll credited Agen with building strong relationships with students and utilizing positive reinforcement to help students remain focused.

“Mrs. Agen creates a positive, supportive, and highly effective learning environment that fosters both confidence and growth in communication skills. Her instructional responsiveness, strong student rapport, and engaging delivery make her an excellent candidate for tenure,” Kroll stated.

Bean, an Elementary Teacher, was also recommended by Kroll for tenure. In her letter of recommendation, Kroll credited Bean with strong instructional skills, effective classroom management, and the ability to foster an engaging learning environment.

“Mrs. Bean creates a structured, supportive, and engaging classroom where students are actively developing foundational skills. Her instructional clarity, classroom environment, and commitment to student growth make her an excellent candidate for tenure,” Kroll stated.

Clark, an Elementary/Middle School Teacher, was recommended for tenure by Middle School Principal Darlene Silleman. Clark was commended for establishing “positive and meaningful relationships with students while maintaining high academic and behavioral expectations.” Silleman stated that Clark’s students feel supported, challenged, and valued in her classroom. She credited Clark’s effort to go “above and beyond what is expected” of her in her role with the district.

“As a result of her dedication, professionalism, and positive impact on students and colleagues alike, I wholeheartedly recommend Anna Clark for tenure. She is a tremendous asset to Gowanda Middle School, and I am confident that she will continue to make significant contributions to our students, school, and community for many years to come,” Silleman stated.

Mead, an Elementary Teacher, was recommended by Kroll for tenure. In her letter of recommendation, Kroll credited Mead with “well-structured, engaging lessons that include clear learning targets, hands-on activities, and purposeful opportunities for student participation.” Kroll said that Mead fosters an environment where students feel comfortable to share what they think and feel.

“Mrs. Mead fosters a respectful and encouraging classroom culture where students are engaged, supported, and motivated to learn. Her instructional skills, professionalism, and adaptability make her a strong candidate for tenure,” Kroll stated.

Vanderzell, a Kindergarten Teacher, was recommended by Kroll for tenure. In her letter of recommendation, Kroll credited Vanderzell with developing “highly interactive and purposeful lessons” aimed at building students’ vocabulary and reading comprehension.

“A clear strength of her instruction is her ability to maintain a positive, engaging classroom culture while holding students accountable for learning expectations. She uses praise, movement, and interactive strategies to sustain attention and encourage participation. Students were eager to share their thinking and demonstrated confidence in using academic vocabulary,” Kroll stated.

Despite earning tenure, Vanderzell elected to resign from the district at the end of the school year. In her letter of resignation, Vanderzell stated, “I sincerely appreciate the support, guidance, and opportunities that have been extended to me throughout my time within your district. The relationships I have built with students, families, and staff are ones I will always cherish, and I am thankful for the experiences and memories that have shaped me as an educator.”

Additionally, a probationary period extension was granted to Hilary Fagnan, an Elementary Teacher, and Mary Ann Tonello, a Special Education Teacher, to allow for another year to achieve tenure.

The next meeting of the Gowanda Board of Education will be held on Wednesday, July 9, and will serve as the organizational meeting for the upcoming year.