New Middle School Teachers 2025

Ms. Gandossy

Q: What are your favorite things to do outside of school?

A: I enjoy spending time with my son, Marcus, my husband, Connor, and my puppy Luca. We love to take walks, read, play games, travel, and try lots of new restaurants.

Q: What is the thing you’re most excited about for this school year?

A: I am most excited to get to know everyone within the community! The students, families, teachers. I love being new and learning about all the things and people that surround me.

Q: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A: When I was little I wanted to be a pharmacist or a criminal psychologist and work for the FBI! I took one Criminal Justice class and got too nervous so I changed my ideas right away!

Q: What would be your last meal on earth?

A: Great question! I would have butter noodles, a bowl of lucky charms, string cheese, and probably a slice of pizza. I have to pick all my favorites.

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: I absolutely love reading, making kitchen staples from scratch (so not really cooking but not baking but kind of both), a good nap, and house projects (I can build a pretty decent table).

Q: What is your favorite music/show/movie/book/sport?

A: Favorite show all time ever- Gilmore Girls; music- Folk/Country; Book- Demon Copperhead; sport- Baseball

Q: Anything else you’d like the school to know?

A: Always introduce yourself to me, I enjoy being able to say hi to everyone and say your name even if you never visit my office to tell me about yourself. A short conversation makes my day!

Ms. Cochran

Q: What are your favorite things to do outside of school?

A: I most love nature with my wife and chatting with her as we walk through beautiful spaces.

Q: What is the thing you’re most excited about for this school year?

A: Getting to know my students!

Q: When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up?

A: When I was very little, I wanted to be Cookie Monster when I grew up, so that I could eat cookies all day! When I was in middle school, I wanted to be an astronaut and someday be the first person to land on Jupiter.

Q: What would be your last meal on earth?

A: Everything bagel toasted with cream cheese

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: Hiking, birdwatching, and traveling

Q: What is your favorite music/show/movie/book/sport?

A: My favorite books are To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf and the Wolf Hall trilogy by Hilary Mantel. My favorite classical composer is Mozart; when I taught in San Francisco, I took 70 students to the opera house downtown to see my favorite opera of his--The Marriage of Figaro!

Q: Anything else you’d like the school to know?

A: I’m so grateful for all the students and teachers who have gone out of their way to welcome me and already help me to feel a sense of belonging in the community.

Ms. Thacker

Q: What are your favorite things to do outside of school?

A: I like spending time with my family and our pets (2 dogs, a guinea pig, and a bunny). I really like to be outdoors - walking trails, biking, and golfing are some of my favorite outdoor activities.

Q: What is the thing you’re most excited about for this school year?

A: I am most excited to meet and get to know the middle school students. Stop by the learning center to say hello!

Q: When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up?

A: I wanted to be a fashion designer when I was a kid.

Q: What would be your last meal on earth?

A: I think I would have to choose a burrito with queso. Chips and guac too!

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: I love to cook and try new recipes - making sushi is one of my favorites. I also enjoy golfing with my daughters.

Q: What is your favorite music/show/movie/book/sport?

A: I don’t know if I can pick a favorite music/show/book because I like so many! My favorite sport to watch is football, and I am a MN Vikings fan!

Q: Anything else you’d like the school to know?

A: I was at the Blake Upper school for 9 years and am so excited to be at the middle school!