Staff Directory
Nicola Donatelli - Special Education Teacher
I received a Bachelor's degree in Communication/Media Studies and Video Production in 1997 after switching my major a couple of times, and traveling in between. Prior to becoming a teacher I worked in a newsroom in photojournalism. I completed the ETEP program at the University of Southern Maine in 2007. I finished the MS.Ed in Curriculum Design in 2010. I am a certified Special Education teacher, K-12, and General Education Teacher, K-8. I have mostly taught 4th, 5th and 6th grade.
I have a desire to help students who did not feel confident in school, which is something I still enjoy doing. What really interests me is behavior and emotional intelligence and I love to hear people's stories. I like building relationships with students to help them find their best selves and to take healthy risks and thrive. I love being outside, outdoor education, outward bound activities, team building activities and extreme sports like cycling, snowshoeing in the White Mountains and winter camping. My favorite things to teach are how to have fun while writing and how to get organized.
Nicole Knights - Teacher
I have a B.A. in French and a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Maine. In the spring of 2022 I completed my M.Ed in Educational Policy, Leadership, and Organization with a concentration in Diversity and Equity in Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. School year 2022-2023 is my eighth year teaching but my first full year at Aucocisco.
Before coming to Aucocisco I taught French at Auburn Middle School for five years before transitioning into a brand new role as their Social Emotional Learning Interventionist. In that role, my focus was teaching students strategies on how to identify and cope with the non-academic aspects of their lives, while incorporating those lessons into their daily routine. It was this experience that helped bring me to Aucocisco and really appreciate the value of an inclusive education.
Here at Aucocisco I teach a myriad of subjects, including French and Social Emotion Learning (SEL). I also have the great pleasure of coordinating field trips and many other fun activities with the students. I look forward to continue working with the students and staff to make Aucocisco a safe, inclusive, and fun place to be.
Heather Larrabee - Special Education Teacher
Emily Murray - Special Education Teacher
Bob Pettee - Teacher
I have a B.A. in Psychology from Yale University. I have taught in independent schools for over forty years. I have always been drawn to schools that had a special purpose which is why I was drawn to Aucocisco.
My first teaching was at a small residential school where teachers and students were involved in every aspect of daily life from cooking and property care and repair to sports and outdoor education. It was there also that I became interested in the dramatic arts which eventually led me to starting and running, for many years, a small professional theatre. During some of that time, as an actor and theatre manager, I also taught at a school whose special purpose was to teach student athletes and adapt to their special training schedules.
Most of my teaching experience has been at the Middle and High school level where I have taught primarily Math but also some History, English, French and Drama. I have also been an adjunct at several colleges where I have taught Drama and Math. I have done some teaching in the State and Federal prison system as well.
Crystal VIllalta - Substitute Teacher
My family and I moved to Maine in 2019 from California, where I had been teaching special education at the elementary and middle school level. I obtained both my Bachelors in Arts, History and Special Education Credential from the University of California, Fullerton. I have continued with my education making progress towards my Master’s in Education, which I look forward to completing in the coming year. I have really enjoyed being able to teach across subject areas but am most enthusiastic about social studies. Our school theme this year has really inspired me to incorporate my love of history across subject areas with a focus on diversity here at Aucocisco School.
I started my journey into special education teaching children how to ride horses. (I am an avid equestrian). A number of my students had special needs including autism and learning disabilities. At the time, I had already completed my Bachelors Degree and had begun coursework in teaching Social Studies and English at the high school level. After talking with parents and friends, I investigated transitioning my teaching coursework towards Special Education and never looked back. It has been truly challenging, rewarding and fun. My students are a joy and make my entire life experience so much richer.
