by Jen Myers
(Each month, Wellpoint and Lowell Public Schools honor a Lowell teacher for their exemplary work in the classroom and for going the extra mile to serve as a positive influence in their students’ lives. Wellpoint awards each honoree a $250 gift card to be used for school supplies)
The bright, calming aroma of cucumber permeates room 301 at the McAvinnue Elementary School as students, broken into groups at tables around the room, cut into the summer salad staple. They are on an exploratory mission to discover if the cucumber has seeds, making it botanically a fruit, or not, tossing it into the vegetable category.
The verdict is definitive. The cucumber is indeed a fruit. With the mystery solved, chunks of cucumber become mid-morning snacks for these curious third-graders, who then move on to investigate radishes, celery, tomatoes, and potatoes.
In Kaitlin Chandonnet-Ryder’s class learning is interactive and hands-on. She could teach this science lesson using books, worksheets, or videos, but where is the fun (and snack) in that?
Chandonnet-Ryder grew up in Tyngsboro, earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UMass Lowell, specializing in developmental disabilities. She then earned a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from UMass Boston.
She had planned on becoming a child psychologist, but the summer before her senior year of college she took a job in Community Teamwork, Inc.’s school age program, changing her trajectory.
“Working directly with the kids made me realize my true calling was in the classroom, where I could make a lasting impact by helping students discover a passion for education,” she said. “Having a solid foundation in psychology alongside my teaching credentials has been immensely helpful for connecting with and supporting my students.”
Straight out of UMass Boston, she landed a gig at the McAvinnue, supporting newcomer students in grades 1-4 as they learned English and acclimated to their new home. In 2008, she took her place in room 301, leading the third-grade newcomer classroom.
“Kaitlin demonstrates remarkable skill in creating a welcoming, inclusive learning environment where all students, especially those with limited English language proficiency, are supported and challenged to achieve at high levels,” said McAvinnue Principal Mike Domina. “She consistently integrates effective instructional strategies that allow her multilingual learners to access rigorous grade-level content while developing their academic language. She demonstrates patience, creativity, and persistence in meeting each learner where they are, and she builds strong relationships with families to further engage students in their educational journey.”
When working with multilingual learners, Chandonnet-Ryder said her approach is built upon connection and empathy.
“I focus on building a strong, trusting relationship with each student while giving them the space and time they need to adjust to a new environment,” she said. “It is incredibly important to me to understand the unique strengths they bring to the classroom, so I constantly look for ways to bridge their past learning experiences with their new ones. Bringing their personal backgrounds into our daily lessons validates who they are and enriches our whole classroom community.”
Teaching, she said, is a craft that takes time and patience to refine. She urges new teachers to learn alongside their students and strive to build authentic connections with them and their families above all else.
“Students thrive when they know you genuinely care about them, so investing in strong, trusting relationships right from the start is absolutely vital,” Chandonnet-Ryder said. “Take the time to discover who they are outside of school, and find creative ways to weave their unique life experiences into your daily lessons. Building that same strong partnership with their families early on creates a unified team that supports the child throughout the year.”
Third-grade is a “magical age” for students, she said; a time when they still love school and are eager to learn and try new things, while developing their critical independent thinking skills. She particularly enjoys exploring history with them.
“It is always amazing to watch the lessons truly come to life for them,” she said. “Whether we are doing hands-on classroom activities or heading out on exciting field trips, seeing my kids connect deeply with history makes teaching this subject incredibly rewarding.”
Room 301 is more than a classroom – it is a community of resilient learners supporting each other, where mistakes turn into learning moments, and a path to success always exists, even if sometimes you hit a pothole or two along the way.
“I want my kids to know that long after third grade ends, they will always have a home here and can always come back to Room 30l,” Chandonnet-Ryder said.
All About Mrs. Chandonnet-Ryder
Hobbies: Hiking, reading, playing baseball with my son.
Dream Vacation: Egypt
Favorite song to sing in the car: “Fortunate Son,” by Creedence Clearwater Revival thanks to my son’s obsession with it.
Favorite meal: Pasta. Nothing beats a huge, comforting bowl of noodles loaded with a delicious sauce, whether it is a rich meat sauce or just simple garlic and oil.
Favorite snack: Pretzels
Favorite Movie: When it comes to movies, nothing beats curling up to watch Downton Abbey.
Favorite Book: Right now, I am completely hooked on The Housemaid Series by Freida McFadden.
Favorite TV Show: I absolutely love watching HGTV, especially any show where they rebuild historic homes or take on massive French châteaus.
Favorite Fictional Character: The characters in the “I Survived” series are some of my favorites because they are so resilient, which is the perfect way to kick off great conversations with my third graders.
