Saying goodbye is never easy. This is especially true with the retirement of Life Skills para Heidi Caouette
Caouette started at LHS as a one-on-one aid but has become “someone I rely on in my classroom,” to Life Skills, said Lead Teacher Patricia Carlson. Outside of school, Caouette enjoys spending time at her house on the Cape and with her grandchildren.
Carlson shares that she has worked with Caouette for 12 years. “I consider her a friend,” she said, “and I am very sad. I love her and I’m going to miss her. I hope she keeps in touch, and I am grateful for everything she has done for me and my students.”
Life Skills Teacher Anna Lanteigne has been working with Caouette for 3 years now, she said. “She is great at relating to the students,” and added she is “a great person to work with.”
Life Skills student Joe Liddy, 20, said of her upcoming retirement “It’s your last day at LHS! I will miss you and give you a hug.”
Caouette spends time taking her students to jobs, and being their job coach. Joe says that if something is wrong, “she helps to figure out what the problem is.”
Fellow Life Skills teacher Kevin Hadmack said “I am going to miss her sense of humor, hard work, and relationships with the students.”
Aiche Labzae, a one-on-one para in Life Skills expressed her love for Caouette. After 10 years of working together, she said she still learns from Caouette. “I am going to miss my eyes and my ears.”
Labzae also shared that English is not her first language and Caouette has dedicated time to helping her learn and have confidence in speaking English. Her message to Caouette is “Thank you for being so good with everyone.”
Life Skills student siblings Matthew, 17 and Haylee St. Jean, 19, said “We will miss you very much.” Haylee said she liked singing with Ms. Caouette.
