The MicroSociety Academy Charter School (MACS) founders strongly believe that a K-8 MicroSociety School will better prepare our children for college, post high school education, and the 21st Century workplace. The curriculum will meet all state and local standards using innovative, engaging, research-based, technology-infused instructional strategies that have proven successful throughout the US and the world.
Better prepare our children
for college, post high school education
and the 21st Century workplace
Students in our MicroSociety Academy will receive standards-based instruction that is enhanced with “real world” concepts and will be given the opportunity during a daily MicroSociety period to apply their learning by reporting to their job and working in their own MicroSociety. Students will actively participate in creating and operating their own small society with guidance of teacher facilitators. MicroSociety will have its own currency, bank, newspaper, a marketplace with student-made goods, a government with a legislature, a court system with lawyers, judges, “Peacekeepers” and more!
Micro Moments
Stories that define the day-to-day interactions at MACS
Micro City Marketplace is in full swing! The businesses are busy selling everything from homemade lip balms to squishy slime. The only student complaints are that there’s not enough time off! Some are learning quickly that their paychecks don’t last long and saving for “special items” may be the best route to go.
As a young student new to MACS, Casey often forgot the Micro City laws. Week after week, he kept having to pay fines for offenses such as yelling and running in the halls, even after receiving ample warning from student Peacekeepers and staff members. As a result, he didn’t have much money saved up once Marketplace opened. The motivation to have more to spend on products and services at Marketplace proved useful for Casey, though. Recently, he made a concerted effort to show self-control and follow the Micro City laws. When it was his day off for Marketplace this week, he looked in his wallet and said to his teacher with a big grin, “I didn’t have to pay any fines this week. Now I can use the money I earned to go have fun at Marketplace!”
Meet Our Administrative Team
Amy Bottomley is the MicroSociety Academy Charter School Executive Director. Amy brings both a love and breadth of experience in educational leadership and entrepreneurship to the position. Under her leadership, the MicroSociety Academy has been awarded recognitions for Student Empowerment by the NH Edies (2022), Non-Profit Business of the Year (2021) by the Nashua Chamber of Commerce as well as an individual recognition as an Outstanding Administrator (2017) by the MIcroSociety Inc. National Headquarters. She holds a B.A. in Education with a concentration in English from Bethany College in Bethany, WV and a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from New England College in Henniker, NH. Amy is certified by the State of New Hampshire in the areas of principal, general special education, and special education administrator. Amy has worked in education for over 25 years, first in special education. She has since served in the capacity of school administrator since 2010.
Amy is also co-owner of the Nashua running specialty store, Fleet Feet, with her husband, BJ, and is an educational consultant. She currently lives in Hollis, NH with her husband and two sons.
Mrs. Williams was born and raised in Dallas, TX. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education from the University of Dallas and a Master of Education degree in School Leadership from New England College. After developing and teaching an English program in China, Mrs. Williams returned to Texas where she taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade as well as elementary art in the Dallas and Austin public school districts. She also taught at the Boston Renaissance Charter Public School from 2007 to 2012 where she headed the Parent Workshop Committee and piloted curriculum in several subject areas. Mrs. Williams currently lives in Nashua with her husband and son. She is passionate about her work in education and is excited to serve as Curriculum Coordinator at MicroSociety Academy!
Mrs. O’Connor holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development from Rivier University where she obtained her Elementary Education and General Special education licensure. She also holds a Master’s of Education from Antioch University in Keene, NH where she also obtained her Educational Leadership Certificate and Principal Licensure. Mrs. O’Connor has worked in education since 2005 in a variety of classroom and special education settings. Mrs. O’Connor lives in Wilton, NH with her husband, Shaun and her 2 children, Lydia and Ben.
Awards & Recognition
Governor Chris Sununu’s Visit
Governor Chris Sununu joined in the activities of our most recent MACS MicroDay, a time when Micro City opens to parents and friends to enjoy the agencies and business ventures our students have created. The Governor was hosted by Student Government President “Rocky”, MACS Principal Amy Bottomley, and Trustee Jamison Hoff. (The visit was not announced ahead of time so that the Governor could see real MACS operations rather than special preparations made due to his presence.)
He had success in his first stop when he solved the clues in the underwater themed Escape Room and earned an “I escaped” sticker. Next he visited the recycling area where he learned about separating plastic bottle caps, that are not recyclable, from the bottles before they enter the recycling stream.
The Governor completed a questionnaire at the MACS Department of Education and survey of visitor satisfaction (with the Micro Day experience) at the Department of Census and Statistics. He also stopped by the Micro City Bank to exchange some currency for Micro Dollars.
Governor Sununu went to the computer lab to observe a 3-D printing process underway creating products in that student-business, and purchased an item from the students’ 3-D product inventory.
He sat down for a conversation with students involved in the MACS Peer Mediation program to learn how our students work together to solve issues as they arise.
He finished his day with a visit to the Student Government meeting.
We were delighted to have the Governor with us on campus for Micro Day and very proud to share all our students’ efforts! Thank you Governor Sununu!
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony II
MACS held its second ribbon cutting ceremony on August 31, 2017 to commemorate the opening of the new science lab, library, two new classrooms, and administrative offices. For more information, please read this News Release.
Recognition from Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess, presented to MACS at the ceremony.
MicroSociety Inc. International Conference Awards
- 2022 George Award for MicroSociety Day School Teacher – Rachelle Fournier
- 2022 George Award for Student Leadership- Natalie Nguyen
- 2022 George Award for Student Government- Brooke Koskela & Natalie Nguyen
- 2022 George Award for Student Venture- A&A Accessories
- 2021 George Award for Outstanding Social Media Innovator – Jewel Hurt
- 2019 “4 Star” School (highest awarded honor)
- 2019 George Award for Outstanding Coordinator – Susannah Williams
- 2019 George Award for Outstanding Teacher – Katie Taylor
- 2018 “4 Star” School (highest awarded honor)
- 2018 George Award for Outstanding Teacher – Brenna Froleiks
- 2018 George Award for Student Leadership – Turner Bottomley
- 2018 George Award for Student Leadership – Olivia Sobie
- 2017 “4 Star” School (highest awarded honor)
- 2017 George Award for Outstanding Administrator – Amy Bottomley
- 2017 George Award for Student Leadership – Ava Tannariello
- 2016 Rookie Charter School of the Year
- 2016 “3 Star” School (highest honor for a first year school)
- 2016 George Award for Student Leadership – Elle Kreibel
New Hampshire Partners in Education Awards
Non-Profit of the Year Recognitions
- Nashua Chamber of Commerce Non-Profit of the Year Winner 2020-21
- Nashua Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year Finalist 2019-20, Lynn McGowan – PTO President
- Nashua Chamber of Commerce Non-Profit of the Year Finalist 2018-19
- Nashua Chamber of Commerce Non-Profit of the Year Finalist 2017-18
- Enterprise Bank Nominee for Non-Profit of the Year 2017-18
- Enterprise Bank Educator of the Year Finalist 2017-18, Amy Bottomley – School Director
MicroSociety Academy Charter School
Board of Trustees
Tom comes to MicroSociety Academy as an Information Technology executive formerly with Fidelity Investments after taking early retirement after 18 years. Since joining Fidelity, he has been an active member in the volunteer community supporting Fidelity’s tradition of community philanthropic activities, including First programs targeting school age children to learn about money management. Tom is currently a board trustee with the New Hampshire Institute of Arts in Manchester, NH. There he is the Chairman of the Audit committee, and active trustee on the Facilities committee supported by his technology expertise. With over 30 years of information technology experience, Tom brings financial, technology, board and leadership acumen to the MACS Board of Trustees.
Our children are our greatest asset. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that future generations are aptly prepared for the opportunities ahead. The MicroSociety Academy Charter school provides the best outcome to build the foundation skills that our future practitioners and leaders will need.
Our children are our greatest asset. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that future generations are aptly prepared for the opportunities ahead. The MicroSociety Academy Charter school provides the best outcome to build the foundation skills that our future practitioners and leaders will need.
Barbara is a Nashua native who recently moved back to the city with her husband and two children. Her daughter currently attends MACS. Barbara practices real estate and business law at Winer and Bennett, LLP in Nashua. She is a graduate of Boston University and Boston University School of Law. Before returning to Nashua, she began her law career at a large international law firm. Barbara actively volunteers in her community and serves on the board of directors of her son’s preschool. As a parent representative, Barbara brings her legal and analytical skills to the MACS Board of Trustees.
Cathy is the Director of Care Coordination for St. Joseph Hospital, and brings a wealth of
diversified experience dealing with change, improving under-performing clinical operations and practices, as well as continuous performance improvement. Cathy has held several board positions primarily in the Medical field, and brings extensive leadership and managerial process optimization to the board.
diversified experience dealing with change, improving under-performing clinical operations and practices, as well as continuous performance improvement. Cathy has held several board positions primarily in the Medical field, and brings extensive leadership and managerial process optimization to the board.
John Dagianis, MD comes to MicroSociety Academy as a well-known ophthalmologist at Nashua Eye Associates. Since 1980 he has assisted in growing the practice from 5 employees to over 132. Board positions that he has held include VP of New England Ophthalmology Society, Rivier University Board of Trustees, and Parish Council of St. Philips Greek Orthodox Church. Dr. Dagianis has been active in the retention area of Rivier University and was Chairman of the Academic Affairs Committee for 6 years. He holds teaching positions and is on staff at Tufts University-New England Eye Center and at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Dr. Dagianis brings to MACS experience in education and non-profit boards, an understanding of business issues of start-up organizations and promoting such facilities.
G. Frank Teas is President, Chief Executive Officer and a founder of Millyard Bank. Frank is passionate about helping business owners prosper through providing access to capital and partnering with them to strategically help grow their businesses. Frank has held executive-level positions with local banks, including as President, Chief Executive Officer and a founder of The Nashua Bank, which, like Millyard Bank, was established as a community bank to serve the needs of professionals and business owners. Frank has been active in community affairs, serving as a board member of the Nutt Hospital Trustees, The Huntington of Nashua, Nashua Arts Commission, Nashua Rotary Club, Bishop Guertin High School Board of Trustees, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Nashua, the Boys and Girls Club, and as Commissioner of Public Works, an elected position for the City of Nashua. He is a graduate of both Leadership Greater Nashua and Leadership New Hampshire. Frank was recognized as the 2007 Business Person of the Year by the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce and by both Business New Hampshire Magazine and the Union Leader as one of New Hampshire's top future business leaders. In 2010, he received the New Hampshire Business Review's Business Excellence Award in Financial Services. Frank and his wife Amy reside in Nashua with their children Ainsley and Frankie. They will be adding to their family soon with the adoption of a Bulgarian girl, Magdalena.
As a MACS founder, Tom brings 34 years of experience working with diverse Grades K-8 students and staff in Lowell (MA) Public Schools. As a founding teacher, Tom served 24 of those years at the McDonough City Magnet School, the nation’s first K-8 MicroSociety school, working as a Reading & Government/ Citizenship teacher, MicroSociety Curriculum/Program Facilitator, LPS District Equity Facilitator, and 11 years as CMS Principal. Tom is an experienced trainer/ consultant/presenter for MSI (MicroSociety, Inc.) and has worked as an adjunct professor at Fitchburg (MA) State Univ., Nova Southeastern University (FL) and guest lecturer at UMass/Lowell. He has led online courses showing teachers from across the country how state standards can be incorporated into MicroSociety, presented at national and state conferences, and worked with teachers and administrators at schools in New York, Arizona, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. For the past two years Tom has volunteered as a development and curriculum consultant and MACS founder to help his former students realize their dream of creating a MicroSociety School for their children in NH.
Julie Doyon enthusiastically rejoins our team as a new board member. She has 15 years of teaching experience with her last six as the MACS Middle School ELA teacher. She received her BA in Communication from the University of New Hampshire and her MEd from Rivier University. She has taught fourth through eighth grades in the Nashua, Salem and Merrimack school districts. Throughout her teaching career, Julie served on several educational committees including Writing Assessment, Report Card Development, Conflict Resolution, Behavior Management and Science Curriculum. Julie will bring a perspective to the board straight from the classroom teachers’ point of view. Currently, Julie is a licensed member of the National Association of Realtors and is a NH licensed Realtor. She resides in Merrimack with her husband, Carl, and has three daughters, twins in college and a new college graduate. Her belief in the MACS’ mission and her passion about its program has called her back to the MACS family.
Brad joins the MACS board with valuable and broad experience in the business, management, scientific, and sales areas. He is a graduate of Iowa State University with bachelors of science degrees in Computer Science and bacteriology. He was intimately involved in bringing the 2D barcode to market and gaining its market acceptance. He was actively involved in high performance embedded computing primarily for the military market for applications such as radar, sonar surveillance, plus many others. As such he recognizes the value of a good education for one’s future success as one never knows where the future will lead you. As a former company officer involved with the latest technology, he brings a scientific, technical, and business background to the MACS board. Currently retired he has purchased a house built in 1898 and is spending his time renovating it. He is very much looking forward to working with the MACS team towards its continued success for our next generation of leaders.
Friends of MACS:
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Thomas Malone (2015-2021)
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Dr. Jamison Hoff (2016-2018)
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Amanda Schneck (2019-2021)
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Donald LeBrun (2019-2020)
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Lisa Petralia (2018-2020)
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David Glacier (2018-2021)