Bill Ironfield

You might know Bill Ironfield as the new music teacher at Cotting School, but then again, you might not. You might have heard him on the guitar, performing with one of several bands over the years. Perhaps you received a package from him during his bicycle messenger days, or better yet, enjoyed a Charles River tour while he worked as a gondolier. Of course, you might have crossed paths with Bill as a farmer more recently, or this past year as a Program Assistant at Cotting School.

“I wanted to do everything else before I searched for what I really wanted, and that was teaching art or music,” explains Ironfield. Special education wasn’t on his radar until he spent some time in a local afterschool program with children in grades K-5. It was his girlfriend, Annemarie, who suggested he consider working in special education because of his temperament and personality. After just one year as a Program Assistant in a Cotting lower school classroom, Ironfield is ready to pair his passion for music with his desire to teach.

Ironfield’s calm, collected, and thoughtful manner is a great fit for the Cotting community. He has an exciting outlook for his curriculum:   “My vision for the Cotting performing arts program looks like a variety TV show…everyone is involved in some way. For some it’s audiovisual, for others, video, or performing, or singing. I want to ensure that everyone finds a place here.”