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Date: 8/16/2023
AGAWAM — There will be some familiar faces in four administrative positions when schools open next month.
Dominic Costanzi became principal at Doering School, Andrea Polley is the new director for the Early Childhood Center, Erin Walsh was promoted to director of the Special Services Department and Karen Gomez was hired as the new director of the district’s athletic program.
His new role as principal at the middle school is very personal to Dominic Costanzi. His father, Marc Costanzi, was an administrator in the district for many years before retiring as the principal at Doering.
“To be in the office he worked in means a lot to me and my family,” said Costanzi, who began his education career in Agawam in 2011 at the high school. In 2020, he became the lead teacher at the former Robinson Park School, now the William P. Sapelli Elementary School. Two years ago, he was named assistant principal at Doering.
“Becoming principal has been a professional goal of mine for many years,” said the Agawam resident. “I’m thrilled to be trusted with the responsibility of being principal.”
He said the most exciting aspect of his new position is that Doering is where the town’s “graduation cohorts” first come together from the four elementary schools. “I view this as a huge responsibility to both develop important foundational academic skills and also build positive relationships and community.”
Costanzi said many Doering students and families are anxious about leaving the familiarity of their elementary schools. “I want them to find a safe and supportive learning community here while developing peer relationships they’ll have through high school. Our staff will help me decide how to meet the needs of our students and put them in a place to be academically and socially successful in seventh grade.”
Andrea Polley’s nearly 20 years of experience as an elementary teacher in Agawam — the last two as lead teacher at what was then Robinson Park School — has given valuable skills that are transferable to her new position. “What I’ve learned as classroom teacher will help me educate our youngest learners and help them build their learning skills before entering kindergarten,” she said.
Polley said the philosophy of preschool, especially the play and social/emotional learning pieces, also fits her own philosophy as an educator. She believes in the importance of helping children learn to effectively manage their emotions, build positive relationships and make responsible decisions. “Preschoolers naturally engage in various forms of play, which offers them opportunities to explore emotions, practice social skills and develop self-awareness,” she said.
Polley plans to spend her first year building connections and creating a positive community among staff, students and families. “For me, focusing on those two areas is the definition of a leader and therefore my role as director,” said the Feeding Hills resident.
Polley also will keep a close eye on the AHS building project should a new or renovated high school include space for preschoolers. ECC classes are currently split between the outdated building at Perry Lane Park and one classroom at the Sapelli school.
“I’ve been in contact with AHS Principal Jim Blain and other School Building Committee members. I will work with them to advocate for a new space for the ECC — something that is long overdue.”
Karen Gomez is no stranger to the district since she has been immersed in Agawam athletics for the past eight seasons as the head coach of the high school’s varsity field hockey team.
“I’ve experienced collegiality with coaches, worked with exceptional athletes and practiced and played in a fantastic facility,” said Gomez, whose office is at the high school. “I not only experienced the district’s culture and the effort teachers put forth to their students, but also the support of the community.”
When Gomez learned Dave Stratton was retiring. she applied for the athletic director’s position.
“I wanted to be a part of this positive culture — and I was privileged to be selected as the top candidate,” she said. Gomez had supervised athletics, physical education and intramurals for Westfield public schools from 2006 to 2015. For the past eight years she was athletic coordinator at Westfield Technical Academy.
Gomez said Agawam’s previous two directors — Stratton and Lou Conte — have a “phenomenal history” within the athletic leadership. “I hope to be able to fill their shoes and continue their legacy of growth with the athletic department.”
Although she lives in Agawam and has been a high school coach, Gomez said some people may still consider her an outsider.
“Relationship building is key. I’m working on meeting students and staff and look forward to meeting parents,” she said.
“I’m honored to be the next leader of the athletic department,” said Gomez. “The transition has been fantastic, but it still feels surreal. Dave left the department in exceptional standing — and went above and beyond to make sure my transition has been smooth. It’s greatly appreciated.”
Being appointed to oversee Agawam’s special education program is “exciting” for Erin Walsh. She has worked in Agawam schools for more than 20 years and has strong connections to the district.
“I’ve seen students who I taught at the preschool or the elementary level graduate from high school and move on to college, careers or independent living — which is so gratifying,” she said.
During her career, Walsh has worked as a paraprofessional, a teacher, and an educational team facilitator. She said this gives her the ability to view challenges and opportunities from a variety of perspectives when it comes to understanding issues in classrooms.
As the director of the Special Services Department, which is located at the high school, Walsh supervises approximately 35 service providers, including occupational therapists, speech/language pathologists, behavior interventionists, school psychologists and educational team facilitators.
She said Agawam, like other districts, continues to see the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on special education and general education students. “Another challenge we see is providing appropriate educational services to students from age 3 to 22, who have a wide range of disability-related needs.”
Walsh began working in the department in 2010, but left in 2017 to work in another district. In 2019, she returned to the department as an educational team facilitator and then was the supervisor of special services until becoming director
“I believe strongly in our department and the services we provide. I want to continue to improve upon our strengths as the director and move forward with new initiatives,” said the Longmeadow resident.