submitted by Brian Bushner
Hoosick Falls Central School is proud to announce the hiring of two alumni who have returned to teach in our District. Kevin Weeden (’92) was the winner of the Margaret Frazier Scholar Athlete Award his senior year, in addition to the The Douglas J. Eighmey Memorial Award for math.
[private]
After graduating from Hoosick Falls Central School in 1992, he attended Siena College in Loudonville, New York, graduating in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics. While at Siena he played for the Saints Football team his junior and senior years. Weeden attended the University of Albany, receiving his Masters in Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology in 2000. He begins teaching eighth grade math in Hoosick Falls in his 20th year as a teacher. “There’s nothing like coming home,” said Weeden. “My daughter is here; she just started Kindergarten. We still live in the community.” It has been over 20 years since Weeden graduated from Hoosick Falls Central and for him, being back in the building is something he’s enjoying. “There have been a lot of changes, but it’s fun walking down the same hallways I walked down for so many years. It’s nice.”
Prior to his job at Hoosick Falls, Weeden taught at Cambridge Central School until 2006, then took a job with Schuylerville Central Schools. “When Mr. Facin (Superintendent of Schools) gave me the opportunity to come back to HFCS, I knew there’s no place I’d rather be. This is it. This is the place.”
James Lynch, a 2011 HFCS grad, was the salutatorian of his class, and attended Siena College. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry Education and will be pursuing a Masters program in teaching in conjunction with his employment as a teacher in the Hoosick Falls Central School District.This is Lynch’s first year as a teacher and he is teaching seventh grade Science, Science 7x (an advanced science class), and Tech 7. He says, “I was born and raised here, enjoyed my time here, and I am happy to start giving back.” He adds, “I want to continue to be a part of this community.” Lynch has only been away from Hoosick Falls since 2011, so while some things have changed, there are still a lot of familiar faces. “Many of the same teachers that taught me in high school are still here; being able to call a teacher by their first name has been an adjustment for me but being back here is great. I’m having fun.” Lynch may be just starting his career, but this is a new beginning in a familiar place. “After starting my first major journey in life, I’m back to the same place to start a new journey, and that is something not many people get to experience. Hoosick Falls Central School is a great place to be.”[/private]