Lancer Nation welcomes new staff

Ian O’Connor is the newest addition to the math department here at LHS, and he said he is “very excited to be here.” “After I had my interview, it just seemed like a really good place to be; a good community [of] students and staff,” O’Connor said. “It was just one of those circumstances where it [felt] like a good fit.” O'Connor worked briefly at Bedford High School befo...

A newcomer to LHS, Shannon Shurtleff will be teaching Family and Consumer Science for the first time. Shurtleff was previously a special education teacher at the Manchester School of Technology. This is her first year teaching in the Londonderry district. “I love the community,” Shurtleff said, “What a wonderful place Londonderry is.” At home, Shurtleff has two daughters, alon...

This year, Londonderry High School is honored to welcome Ronni Heard to their staff. Heard first started teaching in Georgia, Alabama, and West Virginia. She has four teaching certifications in four different states.  “I’m an old educator,” Heard said, “I’ve seen some things.” Heard has lived her whole life in the south, but chose Londonderry because her partner works for the fe...

The newest addition to the foreign language department is not only new to LHS but also new to the U.S. Sonia De Leon came straight to Londonderry after landing in the U.S from Madrid, Spain in September of 2021. De Leon moved to be with her husband, who lives in New Hampshire. She met her husband two years ago at a concert in Spain. De Leon “didn’t even know [she]” would ever leave Spa...

Londonderry High school would love to give a warm welcome to its newest science teacher Sebastian Vollmar. Vollmar has lived in Londonderry for a couple of years and got the job just a year ago, and he is glad he did. “I stayed because I felt very welcomed by the staff and the students as well, “Vollmar said. “This is a group I wanted to be around since I joined the staff half way thr...

Tucked away in the stretch of the 100s hallway sits one of the most important rooms in the building. Although many students might not visit it at all, the nurses office is a vital part of the community here at LHS. Sandy Dyche is taking over the reins of this role, and aims to keep the school a “safe and healthy environment” in the evolving medical climate. “In the nursing world things...

The LHS special education department welcomes their new assistant, Katrina M Lisi.  Since Lisi’s daughter, a former student at Pinkerton Academy, made a lot of friends at Londonderry High School, she decided that this was the school where she wanted to begin her teaching career. “I decided to apply here because I’ve seen how well this school works with all the kids,” said Lisi. The main aspe...

After 13 years in a different district, Mr. O’Conner will be returning as Londonderry High School’s new House 2 assistant principal. “When this position opened up, a few friends texted me about it,” O’Conner said. “I’m one who likes change and a challenge and this would be something that’s new and there’s no better place than Londonderry High School.” O’Conner had p...

Last year, Robert Solomons worked as a classroom assistant for the first semester. Then, he was hired as a full time teacher in the second semester. As an emotional support classroom (ESC) teacher, Solomons has high hopes for this year.  “My goal is to look at my roster of students, who are in my care, and then try to drop by in their classes [so they]  know that I’m here to help,” Solo...

While it may be Nathan Gaw’s first year working in Londonderry High School’s Athletic Department, he’s always been a Lancer.  “I’m a proud alumni of this school,” Gaw said. “This school gave so much to me in the four years that I was a student here, and working here in the athletic department has been something I have wanted to do since I was a freshman.” LHS graduate from the clas...

Katherine Buell has filled the position of the new school to community counselor. When she saw the open position at LHS, she “jumped” at the opportunity. “I’ve worked with Londonderry High school in my other [job] positions multiple times, and I love the students here and I know it’s a good atmosphere,” Buell said. This year, Buell is most looking forward to having “more of a pr...

With the start of a new school year, LHS welcomes new English teacher, Ms. Cohen. With it not only being her first year teaching at LHS, but her first year teaching in general, Cohen’s decision to come to Londonderry was one that was quickly and confidently decided. “There’s something about the feel of walking into this school that was like an instant yes for me,” Cohen said.  “...

This school year Londonderry High School welcomes a new science teacher, Ms. Harrison.  Although this is Harrison's first year at Londonderry, she’s taught for a few years at other schools.  "I taught at Kearsarge Regional High School, and it was a school of 7 towns," Harrison said. There was a body of about 500 kids. Harrison used to live in Hanover which is up by Dartmouth College, but m...

New English teacher, Caroline Keras, plans to “fully immerse” herself in the community.  “I noticed that the Londonderry community, the athletics, and the band are really big parts [but] I feel like the best way to get to know you guys is seeing you outside of the classroom,” Keras said. In addition to teaching, Keras enjoys spending time with her family and friends. One of her good frie...

As an LHS alum, Emily Dawson is returning back to her “alma mater” as the new assistant band director. “The window opened up perfectly,” Dawson said. “There’s no better school in the state so I’m glad I got this job.” Dawson has worked with various marching bands throughout Massachusetts and student teaching at her university, but this is her first experience in an “in-classroom” setti...