LYNNFIELD — It’s official.
After a busy week, capped by a Meet and Greet night Wednesday at Huckleberry Hill School, interim principal Melissa Wyland was named principal.
Lynnfield School superintendent Jane Tremblay made the announcement in an email to the community on Friday.
Wyland has been interim principal at the elementary school since June when principal Brian Bemiss resigned after 10 years to become principal of Fisher Elementary School in Walpole.
“The interview process began immediately,” said Tremblay. “The interview committee, comprised of administrators, teachers, and parents met to discuss the interview questions and Mrs. Wyland was interviewed at the end of October.
“On Wednesday evening, we held a Meet and Greet for parents and guardians. This intimate group afforded us the opportunity to have a wonderful conversation with Mrs. Wyland.
“After careful consideration, including a review of the feedback from all stakeholders, it is my pleasure to announce that Mrs. Wyland has been offered and has accepted the position of principal at Huckleberry Hill School. I do not believe there is a more qualified, passionate, and genuine educator to lead Huckleberry Hill School.”
Wyland began her career in education as a volunteer in the Melrose school system.
“That’s when I knew I wanted to become a teacher,” she said. “So I went back to school to get my teaching degree.”
Wyland taught for two years in Melrose and was abruptly laid off.
“They kept the older teachers and let the new ones go,” said Wyland. “I was devastated, but as things turned out, it was the best thing that ever happened to me because I landed here in Lynnfield and have been here ever since. Lynnfield is my home-away-from home and I just want to pinch myself every day.”
At the Meet and Greet Wednesday, Wyland was praised by parents, teachers and fellow administrators. One parent said it would be a disservice to the school not to have Wyland as principal. Another parent said the decision to give the position to Wyland is a no-brainer.
Tremblay also heaped high praise on Wyland.
“I believe that having Melissa continue on is such a gift in terms of making this a seamless transition,” Tremblay said. “My job is to make sure that things go well, and I can assure you that when it comes to my list of worries, Huckleberry Hill School is not on it.”
Tremblay also told the group that she feels Wyland is also a natural fit when it comes to being a part of the district leadership team.
“It’s important to be a good leader, but it’s equally important to fit into the core team as well,” said Tremblay. “From Melissa’s first day on the job, she has been a great fit. It seems like she has been here forever. Huckleberry Hill School has an extraordinary team with great educators. Melissa drinks the Huckleberry Kool-Aid and shares it with you every day.”
“Every time I pull into the parking lot, I consider it my honor to be able to be here,” Wyland said.”
Wyland has been in Lynnfield for 16 years, teaching first grade at the Huckleberry Hill School while serving as assistant to the principal for five years before being named interim principal. She holds a Masters in Education degree from Lesley University and received her principal’s license in 2012.
