ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Kevin Andrews is the new principal of the Johnson School in Nahant.
BY BRIDGET TURCOTTE
NAHANT — Kevin Andrews will lead the Johnson Elementary School alongside superintendent-elect Anthony Pierantozzi this fall.
Andrews was chosen from more than 45 applicants to fill the shoes of retiring principal Diane Mulcahy.
“We had several well-qualified applicants, which speaks to Mr. Andrews’ qualifications,” said Lori Ballantine, a school committee member. “On behalf of the School Committee, we’re very pleased to see him coming on board.”
Andrews is the principal of Brooks Elementary School in Medford. He has also served as a school principal in Salem. Prior to that, he was a classroom teacher and an elementary school science teacher for 12 years.
He received a Bachelor of Science in education and a Bachelor of Arts in biology from the State University of New York. He has a masters of educational leadership from Salem State University.
A Beverly resident, Andrews said he visited Nahant frequently while growing up and has always admired the community.
“It’s a small community,” he said. “I really think that the size of the town creates a lot of support behind the school. It’s a real opportunity to create a learning environment where the whole community supports the school.”
The biggest difference he expects to be faced with is learning the different ways that the students are supported when there’s a smaller population.
The Johnson School has 132 students in kindergarten through grade six. About 20 students attend the integrated preschool, Ballantine said.
Superintendent Philip Devaux and Pierantozzi collaborated with residents to find the best fit for the school. While it was Devaux’s job to hire the new principal, he recognized that Pierantozzi would work with the new hire.
“Having us both come in together, we can talk about what we think the strengths of the school are and where we can move it forward,” Andrews said.
Andrews is interested in special school projects that involve math and science, but still would be fun for the students, he said.
“We have been very pleased with our choice with Mr. Pierantozzi,” Ballantine said. “We’re looking forward to the next school year and beyond. Things will change, but at the same time, I think the tradition that we hold sacred are still going to be kept.”
Andrews and Pierantozzi will begin July 1.
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte
