FOR RELEASE
Published on April 6, 2023
Worcester - The Worcester Education Collaborative (WEC) proudly hosted the return of its Principal for a Day program after a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19. The program aims to strengthen the connection between the schools and the community by inviting community leaders to shadow principals at Worcester Public Schools. This year’s program was held on Monday, April 3rd, with 25 community leaders visiting 13 participating schools.
“Principal for a Day is a tremendous opportunity for leaders in our community to witness firsthand the joys and challenges of school leadership,” said Jennifer Davis Carey, Executive Director of the Worcester Education Collaborative.
During their visits, participants had the chance to spend time with the school's staff and students, allowing them to learn about the challenges and triumphs of education in Worcester, as well as the demands and rewards of educational leadership in the urban environment of a Gateway City. The experience provides community leaders with the unique opportunity to see firsthand what is happening in the schools and to gain a new perspective. WEC believes that this perspective can be used to inform and advocate for future positive changes in Worcester Public Schools.
“This was a great chance for business and community leaders to gain a better understanding of WPS and to talk 1-1 with a principal about challenges and opportunities for improvement,” said Karen Pelletier, Executive Vice President of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce (participant), “I experienced an elementary school where the students gravitated to the principal as someone they trusted and admired, and where parents stepped up in major ways like running the school library!”
After the visit, participants and school administrators gathered for a luncheon sponsored by The Hanover Insurance Group to share their experiences and insights with one another. The luncheon featured a fireside chat with Raphael Rogers, PhD of Clark University and Patricia Paugh, PhD of UMass Boston, with a focus on literacy education. The fireside chat was facilitated by Noe Medina, facilitator of the Worcester Education Equity Roundtable.
Participants in the 2023 Principal for a Day Program included:
Patty Padilla, Principal, Woodland Academy
Fjodor Dukaj, Principal, Clark Street Community School
Cindy Vail, Principal, Heard Street Discovery Academy
Luke Robert, Principal, May Street School
Christina Guertin, Principal, Midland Street School
Chris Dodge, Principal, Thorndyke Road School
Joyce Elia-Renaud, Principal, West Tatnuck School
Mary Ellen Scanlon, Principal, Worcester Arts Magnet School
Erin McMahon, Principal, Lake View School
John Staley, Principal, Doherty Memorial High School
Lisa Houlihan, Principal, North High School
Jeff Creamer, Principal, South High Community School
Drew Weymouth, Principal, Worcester Technical High School
Tom Bartholomew, Bartholomew & Company
Christine Cassidy, Fallon Health
Craig Blais, Worcester Business Development Corporation
John Esler, Esler Companies, Esler Family Foundation
John Tanacea, Bank of America
Charles Steinberg, Worcester Red Sox
Shelley Rodman, League of Women Voters
Jermaine Johnson, Worcester Public School Committee
Tim Sippel, Worcester Public Schools
Dr. Marie Morse, Worcester Public Schools
Joe Petty, Mayor, City of Worcester
Dr. Rachel Monarrez, Superintendent, Worcester Public Schools
Kate McEvoy, UMass Memorial Health
Karen Pelletier, Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce
Maria Heskes-Allard, Bay State Savings Bank
Grace Sliwoski, Worcester Regional Environmental Council
Julian Wade, Davis Publications, Inc.
Wanjiru Nganga, Century Homecare, LLC
Katie Ferreira, Guild of St. Agnes
Joel Wallen, Pernet Family Health Service
Kayanna James, MA Senate
Jim Andreoli, Quaker Special Risk
Mari Gonzalez, El Buen Samaritano Food Program, Inc
Joy Murrieta, Main IDEA Youth & Arts
Stacey Forrest , Thrive Support & Advocacy
Holly Hodgkins, Office of Congressman McGovern
Joe Salois, Atlas Distributing
Robert Layne, UMass Chan Medical School
Annie Azarloza, Worcester Public Schools
Raphael Rogers, Clark University
Patricia Paugh, UMass Boston
Billy Kenyon, Ladybugz Interactive Agency
Larry Abramoff, Retired, Tatnuck Bookseller
