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Date: 8/1/2023
CHICOPEE — Dr. Marcus Ware has officially begun his role as superintendent of Chicopee Public Schools and while he joins a new community and position, he feels as if he has returned home.
Born and raised in neighboring Springfield, Ware shared that he is a “proud product” of the Springfield Public Schools.
After going to school for meteorology, he eventually switched to teaching and started his career in the private school world, both at the Eagle Hill School in Hardwick and the Williston Northampton School in Easthampton. After teaching there for several years, Ware moved up the ranks and had the opportunity to start at Springfield Commonwealth Academy in Springfield as the head of school for six years.
He then went to Windham, Connecticut, and served in administration as assistant principal, principal and director of strategic initiatives which was his last stint before coming to Chicopee. In total, Ware has almost 20 years of experience in education.
When the Massachusetts Association of School Committees posted the opening in Chicopee, Ware applied, as well as for the superintendent position in West Springfield. He said the positions — both in his “backyard” and familiar areas — were posted at the same time. “Even though the communities have their differences, I still know them as home,” he said.
Ware went through the process and became a finalist in both superintendent searches, to which he ultimately decided Chicopee for several reasons. “One — because of the similarity that it is to the demographics of Springfield which I grew up with. There’s a bigger diversity ratio here in Chicopee — more of a Spanish speaking population which I grew up around and so that felt like a better fit and it’s also very similar to what I knew back in Windham.”
Ware shared that Windham was 75% Hispanic and now that there are numbers in Chicopee in the mid-40’s, adding that with students of color is about 50%.
“I also knew that the school system had Chicopee [Comprehensive High School] and Chicopee High which are two high schools that have their own flavor of what they bring to the communities,” said Ware. “I went to a vocational school myself so I thought I would be a great advocate for the [career and technical] program that’s at Comp and I also thought given that I went to a vocational school and used a dual enrollment program, and I was pushed to go to college — I could be an advocate for the high school program so I see them both as equal flagships.”
He went on to say, “Making it very personal … I was trying to be back home.”
Ware grew up right over the border in East Springfield, close to where most of the Chicopee schools are located, so he knew the area and the opportunities that existed. This includes the community appeal, shopping and the air show at Westover Air Reserve Base. “Putting all that together it just seemed like a win-win.”
He continued, “Educationally, I think it was a similar fit to what I dealt with in Windham and also what I grew up with and also culturally.”
In Connecticut, Ware explained that there is the 093 process which is the licensure that guides you straight to being superintendent. Then there is the 092 which has all administrative positions under it up to assistant superintendent, but if someone wants to become superintendent, they must go for the 093.
“During COVID I decided to go get my 093 because I love learning and I love education,” said Ware.
He completed the process in 2022.
Last summer, Ware began the process of searching for open positions and looked for districts specifically that he thought would match his skill set. As he went through the interview process, he said, “I really realized that becoming a superintendent, not only [does] everyone say it is a huge responsibility — yes, it is, absolutely — but I also think that if you’re going to do it I really need to see myself there. I need to see myself in the students, I need to see myself in the staff, I need to see myself in the community.”
Ware noted that all of that made him feel better about going through the process because he does not know if many people wake up and say they want to be a superintendent.
“However, I definitely wanted to have the opportunity to lead an organization to use my skill sets, but also work on making the opportunities for kids better and a given community — specifically now Chicopee,” he said.
Ware went on to say that he wanted to be able to be an example for the kids who are currently in the public school systems. From being in the classroom, serving in different administrative positions and even on the coaching side of things, Ware said, “I wanted them to know that when I sit in this seat, I’ve been in their positions, and I wanted them to know that they would have an empathetic experience with their next leader.”
When asked about what his vision is for the Chicopee Public Schools, he said it is developing.
“It’s developing because I’m listening right now. My goal right now is to come into the organization setting up all types of visits,” he said.
Ware started this in June by doing walkthroughs of all 15 schools, meeting staff and students and getting the feel of each community.
He shared that Mayor John Vieau invited him to multiple neighborhood meetings in different wards, to which he attended as many as possible. “I anticipate on continuing that,” Ware said. He recently attended the Boys and Girls Club Feed the Children event and hopes to do more of that within the community — all while listening and hearing the concerns, questions and what people want to see in their K-12 school system. “It is starting with the conversations,” he added.
The next piece, which is concurrent, is to build the team following the previous teams departure. This includes Curriculum, Instruction and Accountability Assistant Superintendent Jenn Bellville and Student Support Services Assistant Superintendent Carol Kruser. Bellville previously served as the principal of an elementary school in Uxbridge and Kruser was the principal of Chicopee High School.
“I am rebuilding my executive team,” Ware said. “Under those efforts, I want them too to get into the community.”
Ware said the process of setting up interviews, asking questions, meeting people and listening will likely carry over the next several weeks as he adjusts to his new position.
He noted that there are two topics out there: teacher retention and teacher support.
“I definitely have that on my radar, and I know that’s a big thing anywhere throughout our country right now so we are having those conversations,” he said.
Ware said he recently had a conversation with the Chicopee Education Association president on how to support and be there for teachers.
Another important topic is the rebound and capturing of learning loss that happened during COVID-19. “In order to create a vision that really addresses all students’ needs, I need to get in the schools and see what students are experiencing and then learn from the teachers what they’re experiencing so we can build support,” Ware said. He predicts this process will take the next three to six months. “After that then I anticipate, we will start coming up with a strategic plan that eventually, with the input of the community, would be put forward before the School Committee and they’ll vote upon. Then, I think we’ll be very articulate with the vision of Chicopee Public Schools.”
Ware said there are “pockets of excellence” in the district, but now it is time to tie that all together.
“What I’m looking forward to is really making sure that we are not only doing what’s right for the kids but connecting the community to the schools in this district,” he said. “I want to build communication avenues; I want to build opportunities in which families can feel like their kid can go to school here but they can also do other things here.”
Ware continued, “I’m also looking forward to just being on the ground,” while he awaits the first day of school on Aug. 31. “I want to be in the schools, I want to see the students, I want to see the staff because that’s what I envision.”
Ware noted that he is trying to keep a lot of the structures the same, so that people do not feel like all the changes happened at once. However, he said he is open to feedback and if there is something that is not working, let him know and he is willing to change it.
One thing he plans on looking into is website improvements — making it more user friendly.
Since starting on July 1, Ware said the past month has been “great” and busy.
“It has been a steep learning curve but I’m taking it on,” he added.
Ware took the place of interim Superintendent Alvin Morton. Morton assisted Ware in learning the ropes, along with former Assistant Superintendent Matthew Francis.
Outside of work, Ware has various hobbies and interests, including previously serving as a Zumba instructor.
“I am a big advocate of health and fitness, moving around, doing it the way you can, however you can,” he said.
Ware shared that he loves to travel whether it is domestic or international.
“I am known to even take the weekend to fly somewhere and come back,” he said.
Ware said he also enjoys spending time with family as most still live in Springfield.