Hello! My name is Paula Houde.
I was born and raised in the Lincoln-Woodstock area; I am a graduate of Lin-Wood High School, but spent some of my elementary school years in Ossipee, New Hampshire as well as Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and finally returning to Lin-Wood in the 5th grade. I received my Bachelor of Science degree from Plymouth State College; majoring in Elementary Education with an Early Childhood Option and Psychology Minor. I also obtained my Special Education certification through The School For Lifelong Learning.
This is my 32nd year of teaching; my 23rd here at Lin-Wood. The first 8 years of my career were spent teaching a combination first and second grade classroom in Wentworth, New Hampshire. This was an amazing experience during which I made many life-long friends and learned so many valuable life lessons. I am fortunate to still keep in touch with a few special people who helped me become the teacher I am today (it's hard to believe they're all grown up with children of their own!) I spent a year as an Early Literacy Teacher in Campton, New Hampshire, another wonderful learning experience and joined the Lin-Wood community in 2001.
I’ve had many hats while at Lin-Wood. First, I worked in the Special Education Department for a year, then moved to Early Literacy grades K-2 and Student Support grades K-5 for 4 years, 2nd grade for seven years and Elementary Enrichment Facilitator for four years. I joined 5th grade in 2017, and for the 2022-23 school year, took on fourth grade for Homeroom and Language Arts, but also continued teaching fifth grade Language Arts.
The 2023-24 school year is presenting a new opportunity for me…7th and 8th grade Language Arts. This is exciting for me as I believe it is important to challenge ourselves to try new things and to learn and grow with our students. I have the benefit of having already worked with most of the students when they were in 5th grade. This should provide for a smooth transition for all of us.
My husband Mark and I live in North Woodstock with my mother. Our daughter obtained her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Vermont. She lives in southern New Hampshire and is currently employed as a clinical pharmacist. We have a cat, a dog, 2 birds, and I must not forget to mention all the neighborhood critters that like to visit.
When I’m not in school, I enjoy reading, the ocean, spending time at our camp in Vermont, and having quality family time both in New Hampshire and with my dad in Oklahoma. I am also an active member of our PTA and am a coordinator of one of my most favorite Lin-Wood events-The Veterans Day Assembly!
Communication is the key to a successful parent-teacher relationship and I am happy to meet with you at any time to discuss your child. Feel free to contact me at school to set a convenient time for us to meet.
Thank you for sharing your most precious possession with me. I am honored to be involved in your child's life. :-)