| SPRINGFIELD The Rev. John Connors of Holy Name School announced last week the hiring of David Nortz as the new principal of Holy Name School. His appointment will be effective August 1, 2006. Nortz will be around on an informal basis in the interim at various times during the month of July. Nortz was the Vice Principal at Kennedy Middle School here in Springfield for the past five years before retiring at the end of the current school year. A teacher for almost 36 years, he had been the Department Chairperson for the Kiley Junior High/Middle School Mathematics Department since 1980 until his appointment as Vice Principal at Kennedy Middle School in 2001. A recipient of many awards and commendations for his leadership in providing curriculum development and leadership guidance in mathematics, Nortz will bring a renewed focus and emphasis in enhancing math as a standard of academic excellence at Holy Name School. He was nominated for a Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching in 1993 and he was recognized at MassMutual's Academic Achievement Awards in 1997. Nortz obtained his B.S. degree in 1970 at the State University of New York, his Masters in Education from Westfield State College and Masters in Education Administration from Springfield College. During his career as an educator and administrator, Nortz was active in the MATHCOUNTS program at Kiley Middle School, was coordinator of the Mathematics Curriculum Writing team, participated in a variety of initiatives in teacher professional development and served as an advisor to students. Nortz and his wife are members of St. Patrick's parish in Springfield. He is active in the Sixteen Acres Civic Association and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Nortz has been involved in community affairs and education initiatives throughout his career. "We are very pleased that Mr. Nortz will become our principal. His strong faith, his broad experience in education, and his open and friendly interaction with students at all grades will be most welcomed at Holy Name," Connors said. |
