LYNN — For the new Lynn Vocational Technical Institute principal, it’s like coming home.
Superintendent Dr. Catherine C. Latham announced on Thursday that a search process led to the selection of Carissa Karakaedos as the new principal of Lynn Tech.
Karakaedos, 41, is currently serving as the district administrator of Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School. She will replace the school’s current principal, Robert Buontempo, who is retiring in June after 31 years at the school.
“I’m so excited,” said Karakaedos. “There’s something so special about going home to where you started your teaching career. To be the principal of that school, it’s very exciting.”
Karakaedos began her teaching career at Lynn Tech, spending four years as a mathematics and science teacher. She lived in Lynn for about seven years before moving to Peabody 16 years ago, where she currently resides with her husband of 23 years and their two children, Caleb, 6, and Kayla, 3.
Latham said four candidates were interviewed publicly for the position, but what stood out about Karakaedos was her experience and her reputation for doing good work.
“She’s accepted (the position) and I’m thrilled,” Latham said.
Latham said Karakaedos’ salary has not been determined yet, but Buontempo’s salary was about $130,000.
Prior to her current position, Karakaedos served for nine years as the vocational director and assistant superintendent of the Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational Technical School District.
She also taught at Lincoln Technical Institute and later became their director of education. She has been an adjunct instructor at Northern Essex Community College, the University of Massachusetts Boston and is currently an adjunct instructor at Fitchburg State University.
Karakaedos said it’s hard to leave her current position, but she’s a principal at heart and leading a school building is her passion.
She said she’s been entrenched in vocational education since the 1990s when she started her teaching career, which she called “education at its finest.” She said there are amazing opportunities for students through vocational education, whether they want to go on to college or go into the workforce.
“I had my first teaching opportunity at Lynn Tech and I fell in love with the work environment,” Karakaedos said. “From there, I always stayed with it.”
When she starts her new position, Karakaedos said she’ll focus on the core values she’s always lived by with her leadership roles, which are celebrating student successes; openly, honestly and effectively communicating with the community; and continuing to enhance the quality of educational programs at the school.
“I want students to be able to accomplish as (much as) they can when they graduate so they can leave and be as accomplished as they possibly can be for their futures,” she said. “The sky’s the limit for students. As a principal, it’s my job to make sure I open up that doorway for them.”
Karakaedos has a bachelor of science degree from Simmons College, a master’s degree in educational administration from Cambridge College and a certificate of advanced graduate studies in educational leadership from Salem State University.
She is licensed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as an academic and vocational principal/assistant principal, superintendent/assistant superintendent and school business administrator.
