Retirement announced for Mt. Helix Academy Director Barbara Moulaison

On Wednesday, March 10, at the meeting of the Parent Teacher Group (PTG) of Mt. Helix Academy, Ms. Barbara Moulaison, Director of Mt. Helix Academy since the school was acquired by TIEE in 1994, announced her retirement, effective July 1 of this year.

Dr. Suzy Fitch, TIEE’s Executive Director of Programs and Personnel, who was unable to attend the meeting, sent a letter to the group that reflected the profound level of gratefulness on the part of TIEE for all that Ms. Moulaison has accomplished in her sixteen years as Mt. Helix Academy’s Director.

The full content of Dr. Fitch’s letter, which also announces Assistant Director, Mike Collins, as the school’s new Director and Elementary Module Coordinator, Alison Young, as Assistant Director, follows:

It is with mixed emotion that I must inform you that I am in receipt of Barbara Moulaison’s letter of retirement, which is to be effective July 1 this year. I am personally very happy for her because I know that she will be able to spend quality time with her husband, her children, and her grandchildren, and I know of her desire to see more of the world. Believe me, I am truly envious.

Barbara has been Director of Mt. Helix Academy for 16 years, since TIEE acquired the school. The early years were more than a little challenging, but she prevailed and has led this school to the consistent level of excellence that it has achieved. Barbara has had a very distinguished career in education, only part of which honored TIEE and the staff, parents, and students of Mt. Helix Academy. She deserves to be honored for the outstanding work she has accomplished and we are in stages of planning celebrations of her.

After careful deliberation, we have chosen to have Mike Collins succeed Barbara as Director. Mike has worked for TIEE since 1998. Because of his outstanding teaching abilities, he was TIEE’s teacher of the year in 2001 and has been Assistant Director at Mt. Helix Academy for the past two and one-half years. Dr. Traupmann and I can not imagine anyone more qualified to take over from Barbara. Replacing Mike as Assistant Director will be our current Elementary Module Coordinator, Alison Young.

I also want to announce at this time that the Council for Exceptional Children’s Division of Learning Disabilities’ national teacher of the year, as well as TIEE’s 2009 teacher of the year, Mr. Steve Wheless, will be joining the Mt Helix Academy staff as Coordinator of the AIM HIGH Learning Center. This change will take effect on Monday, March 15. Marita Morones will continue as Lead Teacher of the Nonpublic School component of the AIM HIGH Learning Center.

Dr. Traupmann and I strongly believe that Mike, Alison, and Steve will constitute the leadership of Mt. Helix Academy that is second to none and the school will continue to excel not only academically but also in all the other ways that it contributes to the education and well being of its students. It will be our pleasure to oversee their efforts and contribution to our community.

I apologize for not being with you today but wanted to share this exciting information with you as soon as possible. I eagerly look forward to working with you to plan a wonderful celebration of Barbara Moulaison’s service to Mt. Helix Academy in the very near future.