Sullivan to carry on 'tradition of success' in schools

Date: 2/28/2012

Feb. 27, 2012

By Chris Maza

chrism@thereminder.com

LONGMEADOW — The Long-meadow Public School Administration has found the next principal at Glenbrook Middle School.

Superintendent Marie Doyle recently announced that Daniel Sullivan, currently an associate principal at Central High School in Springfield, would begin overseeing the school building, starting July 1.

"We conducted an extensive search through a process that included parents, administrators and teachers," Doyle said. "Daniel brings many years of experience and a solid knowledge of middle school students."

Sullivan, a town resident, told Reminder Publications that before serving at Central High School for five years in his current capacity, he taught middle school for five years at Sabis International Charter School in Springfield. He also served as that school's assistant principal for discipline for two years.

"I began my teaching career in middle school," he said. "I come with a lot of experience in many different areas of education. I will be a high energy and focused leader of that building."

Sullivan added that he felt his experience in high school has given him a unique outlook on how to prepare students for the next level of schooling.

"I think having experience at the high school level helps me to see what middle school students need to be successful in high school," he said. "I can take what I've learned about the philosophies of high school, both academically and socially, and help better prepare students for what they will experience in the years ahead."

Sullivan acknowledged that success is something students in the district are already very familiar with and that he wished to continue that tradition while pushing the bar a little bit higher.

"The history of success in the Longmeadow Public Schools and the opportunity to further advance that environment is one of the major reasons I decided to apply for this job," he said. "Middle school students have a 96 percent success rate in [Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System] and [Composite Performance Index] scores and that would be attractive to any educator.

"My ultimate goal is to advance all students. These young people some day are going to come back and have an impact on the future of this town. These are our future community leaders," he continued.

Sullivan said he enjoyed the interview process, which included educators and town residents.

"Anytime you're looking to fill a position with such influence on the formative years of a child's life, it's a very good thing to allow not only the superintendent and the administration, but the community a chance to offer input on who is selected," he said.