After what felt like forever, Bev Long and Sherri Cox won’t be greeting parents and children as they come through the doors of Ellsworth Elementary-Middle School anymore.
Bev worked for the district for over 40 years, and Sherri for the past 20, and we wish them both all the best in their retirement- but we’re super excited to welcome our brand new Administrative Assistants to EEMS this school year- Tina Sato and Carrie Emerson!
Both will serve the entire school and they are super excited for the year to get rolling so they can start getting to know everyone!
Tina is brand new to Maine, and the East Coast as a whole! Born and raised in California, after college on the west coast Tina began her career working in Japan! Before coming to Maine this past fall, she was living in Tokyo and working in public affairs at the US Embassy as a jack of all trades!
She loves to travel, and despite moving here from one of the biggest cities in the world, she loves the small-town feel of Ellsworth and is super excited to see all of the smiling faces each and every day this school year!
“I’ve been loving it! We went through one winter, it’s cold coming from California! But I love how peaceful and quiet it is with the surrounding nature. It’s a huge change from back in Tokyo with the bustling city,” Tina says. “I’m really excited to see all the students here. It’s a big school, so I’m thrilled to see what happens every day, take it day by day. The calendar of events is quickly filling up! I’m especially looking forward to the fall musical and can't wait for all the events that are going to happen throughout the year.”
Carrie isn’t new to Downeast Maine at all! Born and raised in Bar Harbor, just like her kids, but now she’s set up shop locally and her grandkids are in school right here in Ellsworth! She comes to EEMS from working a similar role with Northern Light Hospital, both locally and over in Bangor- and she is thrilled to be back in the region!
“It’s cool- my kids will come in and say ‘Hey! I had that teacher!’ I know a lot of people, which helps a lot. I mean, I definitely don’t know as many people as the previous ladies here,” Carrie joked. “It’s nice to see my grandchildren growing up and making friends and doing all that kind of stuff. I’m definitely ready for the first-day jitters to get over- get that behind us and start moving forward!”
Outside of spending time with her family, she loves unwinding on the beach with a book in hand or going to her grandkids’ sports games- and just like Tina she can’t wait to get rolling once school starts and begin building new relationships with all of our families!
As for replacing a few legends- they know they’ve got some shoes to fill, and we know they’re going to do an excellent job!
“I can tell you it is very intimidating!” Carrie says. “But I think we’ll have a handle on it. We’ve done great with each other so far. I think what she doesn’t know, I tend to know. And what I don’t know, she tends to know.”
“I hope we can bring positive change. They were amazing secretaries and front office staff- being the front line and everything. I hope we can add to what they’ve already established, get the rhythm of things, and just hope that I can do the best to support the needs of the students, staff and parents that are coming through these doors.”
Just like these two- we are all looking forward to getting everyone back in school! Be sure to welcome them home the next time you stop by the office!
