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Reminder Assistant Editor EAST LONGMEADOW The School Committee and the principal search committee narrowed down the 37 applicants for the principal's position at Mapleshade School to just the top three for the School Committee's April 7 meeting. After the final interviews, Superintendent Edward Costa chose Brenda Sullivan Houle as the person to fill Wayne Wilson's shoes at the elementary school. "[Houle's] vast knowledge of curriculum and instruction, finance, policy and children have placed her first in my selection," a release from Costa stated. "Houle has extensive experience at the elementary school level as a teacher, director and professional developer of staff in many areas." Currently serving as the principal of Overlook Middle School in the Ashburnham/Westminster Regional School district in northern Worcester County, Houle has taught English in the Boston Public Schools, served as the English as a Second Language Coordinator for Westwood Public Schools and was an adjunct professor at Lesley University. Houle had also been an assistant principal at Birchland Park Middle School for five years. "I was assistant principal. Nobody sets out to be an assistant," she told Reminder Publications. She explained she left Birchland Park Middle School in 2006 to be closer to her father before he passed away, but "missed East Longmeadow." "I love being a principal," she stated. She admitted it can be a tough job but it allows the opportunity to influence policy and set standards that affect children's lives. Although her previous experience as a principal in town was at a middle school, Houle said she's looking forward to working with third through fifth graders at Mapleshade. "From kindergarten to second grade, students are learning to read," she said. "From third through fifth they're becoming individuals and we help them with texts." Houle added that she's looking forward to getting into the classroom more in her new position in addition to helping out with lunch, playground and bus duties. "It's definitely a different age group," she noted. "I want to help take children from where they are to a higher place but not necessarily just prepare them for middle school." Houle said she wants to have Wilson enjoy the rest of his time at Mapleshade before she starts working with him on the transition at the beginning of June. "I still have a building to run," she said. "I'll let him set the stage ... I'm looking forward to it." When asked what her three biggest goals are as an incoming administrator, Houle replied learning the fabric of the community, creating a stronger partnership between Mapleshade and Mountain View schools and bringing in new initiatives of investigation in both math and reading. Getting familiar with her new student body is important as well. "Technology is something this generation is faced with everyday," Houle said. "The computer can be a real challenge but it can be a wonderful tool for learning. "The world is changing," she continued. "There are different challenges at this age now." Costa said Houle's "hands on experience" was what led him to choose her for the position. "I looked at the three finalists and Ms. Houle had the most hands on experience," Costa stated. "I said long ago I wanted to find the very best ... The role of an administrator is different from being an educator, but she has experience in both fields. That's what put her out in front of the other two candidates as well as her general love for children." "I'm hoping in this phase of my career to inspire young people to come in and help shape their futures," Houle said. "I want to hire the best and brightest and keep them. "We make or break a child's day," she added. Houle will officially become the principal of Mapleshade on July 1. | ||||||
