Faculty

Principal

John G Merselis III (Jay) joined Hancock Elementary School in 2017 as the principal.

Prior to his tenure at Hancock Elementary, Jay’s three decades of experience includes working at the Pine Cobble School, HighCroft School, and Hoosac Summer School.

Jay has worked with students in courses such as English, history, science, and math, as well as serving in a variety of administration roles including Head of the Upper School, Director of Admission, and Assistant Head of School.

Born and raised in Williamstown, MA, Jay attended Mount Greylock Regional High School, earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at Hamilton College in Clinton, NY with a concentration in Sociology and a minor in history.

Jay continued his education first by completing the University of Massachusetts Secondary Education Teacher Education Program followed by earning a Master’s in Education from Antioch New England Graduate School. Currently, Jay completed MCLA’s Leadership program and earned a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study.

Jay was a collaborating teacher on The Nation Archives resource book, Our Mothers’ Before Us, and helped with the revisions of the third edition of Williamstown: The First 200 Years. He has served on multiple AISNE accreditation teams and regularly leads and attends professional development that enhances his growth.

A former board member of the Williamstown Community Chest, Williamstown Board of Trade, Trustees of the Reservation, Williamstown Elementary School Governance Council, and the Hoosick River Watershed Association, Jay is a current member of the Mount Greylock Ski Club and Bear Island Conservation Association boards.

He enjoys a wide range of outdoor activities, volunteering as a member of the National Ski Patrol, and spending time with his family. Jay’s personal and professional lives intersect to support John Dewey’s belief that “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”

Superintendent and Special Education Director
Dr. Rebecca Phillips

Fifth and Sixth Grade (Emerald Room)
Mrs. Jennifer Mills is the sixth grade teacher in the Emerald Room. She holds a BA Degree in Sociology and completed the Elementary Education Program at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

Mrs. Mills has previously worked in elementary schools in Virginia and Western Massachusetts, most recently at the Health Elementary School where she taught in a multi-age classroom. She brings extensive knowledge and interest in STEAM projects that reach across the curriculum and grade levels.

 

Third and Fourth Grade Teacher (Diamond Room)

Donna Beguin previously taught Special Eduction at Hancock and is excited to be the lead teacher in the dynamic Diamond Room!

First and Second Grade Teacher (Ruby Room)

Samantha Lincoln joined Hancock School in 2022 as a second and third grade teacher. While pursuing her collegiate degrees Ms. Lincoln was the assistant for the Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts Vice President. Prior to joining the family at Hancock School Ms. Lincoln taught at Morningside Community School in Pittsfield Massachusetts as well as Readsboro Central School in Readsboro, Vermont.

Samantha was born and raised in Cheshire, Massachusetts. She attended McCann Technical High School where she studied Electricity. Always moving forward, she successfully obtained her Bachelor’s degree from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. She holds a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.  Having completed her first Master’s degree in education she continued on the path of higher education and achieved her Master’s in Business Administration. She is currently working towards licensure for administration.

Ms Lincoln continues to focus on the science of reading for young students.  Samantha also volunteers with an array of youth sports including creating activities and games in which all students can participate.

Samantha’s personal interests involve fitness, sports and travel.  She has visited 48 states and 16 different countries.  Ms Lincoln personifies the ideals that education can and should be fun and interactive.

Kindergarten and PreK (Sapphire Room)

Mrs. Makayla Dowling is a MCLA graduate with a degree in Early Childhood Education, as well as Sociology. She loves working with children in all different settings. Besides working at the fabulous Hancock Elementary, Mrs. Dowling is also a Hip Hop Instructor at two dance studios in Berkshire County. She enjoys spending time with her husband and her kitty, Jasmine. In her classroom, they let it go because hakuna matata and the bare necessities will always be their guide to infinity and beyond. With a little faith, trust and pixie dust, they will keep swimming and whistle while they work because in her class, they do Disney!

 

Paraprofessional for Sapphire Room

Alecia Williams joined Hancock Elementary in 2021 as a Paraprofessional. Prior to her tenure at  Hancock, Alecia was a nanny and stay at home mother. 

Raised in  Cherry Plain, NY , Alecia attended Berlin High School.  Alecia continues  her education through Berkshire Community College and MCLA, working towards her Masters in Education.  

She is the recipient of  The Education Department award, given to a student who shows excellence in their coursework at BCC.

She is a resident of Hancock, along with her husband Michael and two children, Haley and Ayden. Alecia enjoys soaking up each moment with her family; they are by far her greatest inspiration and joy in life.

Alecia strives to work in Lev Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development and believes that each student deserves to be provided with the scaffolding needed to be met where they are.

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Thomas Edison

Paraprofessional for Diamond Room

Lisa Buell joined Hancock Central School in 2009 as a paraprofessional.

Prior to her tenure at Hancock, Lisa taught third and fourth grade at Temple Christian Academy in Holbrook, MA. She took sixteen years away from the classroom to focus on raising her three sons.

Lisa has been involved with Hancock School since 1998 in many capacities. Castle Camp Chaperone, Ski Program Advisor, and Scholastic Book Fair Coordinator are just a few of the events she volunteered for. In addition, she has been very involved with HOPE and the many events they sponsor for over twenty years.

Raised in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Lisa graduated from Faithway Baptist High School and went on to graduate from Baptist Bible College in Boston, MA with a degree in Elementary Education.

Lisa has lived in Hancock since 1996 with her husband. All three of her sons were educated here at Hancock. She has always considered Hancock School a gem of a school. It’s a wonderfully unique place to educate inquisitive learners.

Paraprofessional for Ruby Room
Mrs. Amanda Lahey

Paraprofessional for Emerald Room
Mrs. Cahill LeBarron

Physical Education Teacher Mrs. Greta Fachetti

Special Education
Cornelia Alden spent the past two decades teaching math, English, history, and upper elementary school. She is excited to bring her background and experience to Hancock School!

School Secretary and Special Education Paraprofessional

Music Teacher

Ms. Aldonna Girouard

Art Teacher

Miss Lori Signer

School Adjustment Counselor