21 July, 2011
The Hopkinton Public Schools are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Christopher Kennedy as our next Principal for the Center School. Dr. Kennedy stood out in a deep and highly competitive candidate pool, including a significant number of sitting principals. Our next Center School Principal has already proven himself an extraordinary school leader. He has deep expertise in early childhood and literacy education. According to new School Superintendent, Dr. Jonathan Landman, “Children, families, and staff at the Center School are going to flourish under Dr. Kennedy’s leadership.”
Dr. Kennedy began his career as a pre-kindergarten/kindergarten teacher in a Montessori School. He taught kindergarten and first grade to English learners in London for two years before returning to the U.S. to get a Master’s degree from Harvard in Reading, Language and Literacy. Dr. Kennedy next served as Reading Recovery Team Leader in Griswold CT., and provided literacy coaching to teachers there. Dr. Kennedy’s administrative experience includes an Assistant Principalship in an urban elementary school in Providence RI., a Principalship at an urban elementary school in Johnston RI, and, most recently, six years as Principal of Nayatt Elementary School in the suburban setting of Barrington, RI. In Barrington, he was named Rhode Island Principal of the Year in 2010, and a National Distinguished Principal. During his tenure in Barrington, Dr. Kennedy earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Johnson and Wales University.
Dr. Kennedy will be getting to work as soon as next week. Outgoing Center School Principal, Jennifer Parson, has graciously offered to spend time with Dr. Kennedy, to assist him in getting up to speed on all aspects of the Center School. We will also invite staff volunteers to serve on a transition team to support Dr. Kennedy during his first months on the job.
Dr. Landman predicts “a wonderful year at the Center School.”
