Essentials (MS) - White River Valley School

Alejandra Bangerter: PE, Bethel

Alejandra Bangerter grew up in Montevideo, Uruguay. She graduated from the Higher Education Institute of Physical Education with a Bachelor Degree in Physical Education K-12, Mayor in Sports. She moved to U.S. in 2001 and relocated to the green state in 2019. She has worked as a P.E. Teacher for over 16 years, which includes some of her overseas experience, a four year term as a state licensed physical education teacher in Miami, FL, three year term in WRVSU and one year in CVSU. Alejandra resides in Bethel with her family. She has two children who are proud members of the WILDCAT Family. She loves sailing, running and nutrition. And now, “stronger than ever”, she is excited and honored to serve your children as the new Physical Education Teacher of the Bethel Elementary and Middle School. She can be reached at abangerter@wrvsu.org

Joe Bertelloni: Library, Bethel

Joe is excited to be joining the Wildcats teams as the school librarian! While he grew up in New Jersey, he has lived in Vermont for the past 13 years. He has taught social studies, technology, and has been a librarian for the past six years. He enjoys reading (shocker), fixing broken things, and being outside with his three kids all summer long. Joe can be reached atjbertelloni@wrvsu.org.

Amber Finch: Choral Director, WRUD

Amber Finch is excited to be teaching for her fifth year at the WRV schools. She is the WRV 4th-12th grade chorus director at Bethel and South Royalton and the WRVMS concert band director. Additionally, Amber is a saxophone lesson instructor and is the vocal director for the WRVHS musical. Amber has a background in vocal performance, saxophone performance, conducting, and choral singing. She has a Bachelor's degree in Music Therapy and Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Amber also has over 10 years of experience working with children and teens as a mental health counselor in private practice, schools, and local agencies. Amber lives in South Royalton with her 2 children and dog Cocoa. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and walking with her pup, baking, crocheting, playing piano, and of course...singing!

Martha Higgins:Music

Martha is excited to be teaching elementary and middle school music for WRVSU. She has been passionate about music and music education since childhood. After finishing her undergraduate degree in music in Chicago, she returned to her hometown, Houston, Texas, in 2016 where she taught private music lessons, orchestra, and elementary music. She is a cellist and composer. In her free time she loves writing, crocheting, drawing, and going on walks with her dog, Kara. She also cares a lot about community service and can't wait to get involved in Vermont. You can reach Martha at mhiggins@wrvsu.org.

Melissa Purdy: Health

Melissa started working at the Bethel Elementary and Middle school in 2015. She teaches Preschool through 5th grade outdoor education (known as ECO). She also teaches 6th-8th grade Health at the middle school. Melissa has two children. She loves to be outside all year long. In the winter, she snowboards and in the warmer weather, she paddle boards and mountain bikes. She is also an author and artist. Melissa grew up in Pennsylvania and now lives in the Mad River Valley. You can reach Melissa at mpurdy@wrvsu.org.

Bob Pape: Wood Shop, Bethel

Man in black hoodie posing by a big rock

Bob is looking forward to starting his first full year at White River Valley Middle School. Before entering teaching, he had a career in biotech, working as an engineer in research and development. Bob grew up in central New York and has lived in California, Massachusetts, and Washington State before moving to the Upper Valley with his wife and 2 children. In his free time, he enjoys reading to his kids, camping, hiking, and snowboarding. He can be reached at rpape@wrvsu.org

Malia Timmerman: Art

Since 2015, Malia has taught on the Bethel campus, where she is the K-8 visual art educator. She loves inspiring and being inspired by students of all ages. She was born in Hawaii and lived in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and California before settling in central Vermont in 2005. She enjoys making and fixing things, taking photos, and traveling, especially to Zambia in southern Africa. Malia is also the parent of an awesome teenager who was born in Randolph and is usually willing to try out random art projects, go for long walks, and attempt cross-country skiing. You can reach Malia at mtimmerman@wrvsu.org.

Bonna Wieler: Outdoor Education

Photo of a half-smiling woman hiking outdoors.

Bonna Wieler offers learners/explorers of all ages connection with the natural world, while aiming to help folks gain self-assuredness and skills. She teaches Outdoor Education at the Bethel Middle School, and develops programming for middle through high school. As an American Canoe Association kayak instructor, Bonna teaches paddling, outfits and guides trips, and runs summer camp sessions. She also develops environmental/ outdoor education programming for grades pre-K through high school, is a river curriculum teacher and consultant, networker/ organizer/ coordinator of environmental activities, cross country ski instructor for special events, program specialist for after school programs, and teaches fiber arts and other nature-based art forms. You can reach Bonna at bwieler@wrvsu.org.