Lynn schools promote 3 teachers to principal

LYNN – Superintendent Catherine Latham this week announced the names of three new elementary school principals – Eileen Cole, Gayle Dufour and Pattye Griffin.”As the result of an extensive application examination, record review and interview process, I am pleased to announce the appointment of three new principals to positions within the Lynn Public Schools,” Latham said on the Lynn Public Schools Web site.Cole, who is currently a fourth-grade teacher at Brickett Elementary School, will now replace Debra Ruggiero as the school’s principal. Cole received her bachelor’s degree in educational studies from Salem State College and her Master’s degree in organizational management from Endicott College. Over the last 11 years she has worked as a classroom teacher, curriculum and instruction teacher and as an acting principal in the Lynn Public School system.”With the knowledge, experience and commitment to continue the initiatives and programs begun by outgoing principal Ms. Deb Ruggiero, she will be an excellent successor for Ms. Ruggiero,” Latham said.Ruggiero will be moving to the Harrington Elementary School in the fall.Dufour, who is currently in charge of the science program at the Ingalls Elementary School, will be the new principal of the Hood Elementary School. She received her bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Westfield State College and her Master’s degree in elementary education from Salem State College, where she also received a certificate of advanced graduate study in educational leadership. Over the past 11 years she has worked as a classroom teacher, a teacher for the gifted and talented program, a curriculum instruction teacher and an acting principal.”(Defour) has outstanding experience in standards-based lesson planning, departmentalized instruction and educational technology,” Latham said. “She will succeed retiring principal Mr. Joseph Cole, who is out on personal leave, and Ms. Joanne Roy, who is currently acting principal at Hood.”Griffin, an elementary math coach for the Lynn Public Schools, will be the new principal of the Tracy Elementary School. She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Westfield State College, a master’s degree in reading from Salem State College and a certificate of advanced graduate study in educational leadership from American International College in Sprinfield. Over the last 25 years Griffin has worked in the Lynn schools as a classroom teacher, a special-education teacher and an elementary mathematics teacher.Latham said she is an experienced presenter of staff development workshops in the areas of mathematics, pedagogy and technology. She will succeed Mary Dill, who will be moving to the Connery Elementary School in the fall.”All three of our new principals are actively involved with our district data-driven decision-making initiative, and all have worked with our elementary school improvement planning teams,” Latham said. “They are all well-respected for the high standards they set for their teaching and the high expectations they hold for their students. I am excited by their knowledge, experience and enthusiasm, and feel confident that they will provide excellent leadership to their respective schools.”All three principals will officially begin their tenure on July 1, but have already begun meeting with faculty, staff and parents.