SAUGUS — Incoming Associate Principal of Saugus High School, tells of her beginnings in education, what brought her to the new role, and what excites her about this upcoming school year.
Dr. Carla Scuzzarella previously was in an administrative role, serving as Northeast Metropolitan Regional Technical Vocational High School’s principal and deputy director before accepting the new role at Saugus Middle High School as its associate principal.
“The experience at the vocational school was very different from your traditional public high schools,” Dr. Scuzzarella said, when asked if there were any lessons she could take away from her time at the vocational school to apply to her new role.
“It was a learning curve when I got there, and I definitely take a lot of good experiences away from there that should help here,” she said.
Dr. Scuzzarella had been in prior administrative roles prior, too, at North Andover High School, serving as its principal for nine years, and additionally, Beverly High School.
“I think my experience as an administrator lends itself fairly easily to this role,” Dr. Scuzzarella said.
She expects a bit of a learning curve, here, too, as the position is new, but returning feels comfortable for her, as a resident whose family also attended Saugus schools.
Dr. Scuzzarella expressed excitement to return to her roots, herself a former alumnus of Saugus High School.
“I’m very excited to be in my hometown with the ability to give back to the town, because I got a lot out of my experience here at Saugus High as a kid,” Dr. Scuzzarella said.
“I’ve always… hoped that I’d have an opportunity to give back someday to the community for all the good I got,” Dr. Scuzzarella said.
Dr. Scuzzarella’s interest in education “never was a question,” her family having its fair share of educators — “I never really thought about doing anything else,” she said, noting she had previously been a history teacher for 14 years teaching 125 students per year.
Dr. Scuzzarella said she was fortunate to be able to pursue an administrative degree, and “I found that I liked it,” adding she felt like a “natural” on the administrative side of the education system.
Dr. Scuzzarella said she is excited to work in a new building and to get an opportunity to meet all of the new students and staff who she has yet to be acquainted with.
“People seem very welcoming and happy to have me here, so I’m just excited to get going… I love my job, I love doing what I do… I’m looking forward to… sharing that,” Dr. Scuzzarella said.
