Christin Monaghan, a new library media specialist at Westford Academy, has a fun past to share and an exciting future to look forward to. She received her bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy from the University of New Hampshire, once interested in work as a special education teacher.

Monaghan was encouraged to become a librarian by a family friend, who convinced her to take classes. She enjoyed the classes far more than her day job, and decided to go to grad school at Cambridge College and get her master’s degree in education. She learned how the landscape of librarianship at a school was changing and becoming more about information, interaction, and community than shushing people and checking out books.

When Monaghan isn’t helping a student or reading a book, she is visiting with family and spending time outdoors. She enjoys biking and hiking with her two year old daughter where she enjoys watching her daughter loving the ride in the trailer that connects to the back for her bike. This trailer helps her to get the entire family outdoors and active.

Although there are many upsides to her job Monaghan says her favorite part is being able to lead the students towards the answer and letting them find it on their own.

Monaghan previously worked in Dracut for nine years. She spent eight at the middle school and one at Dracut High School. She enjoyed her time working there, but decided it was time for a change and started working here in Westford.

She was familiar with the town because her brother lives in Westford. She first thought of joining the Westford school system when she realized what a great commitment to education the community has. Monaghan has been enjoying her experience here at WA so far because everyone in the community has been very kind and welcoming to her as someone who is less familiar with the school.