Update 10/30: SPS announced hiring Dr. Jessica Boston Davis as our first SPS Director of Equity and Excellence in an interview style blog post that provides insight to her background and vision for the role. 

I was excited to meet some of the new leadership joining SPS at our last regular School Committee meeting of the 2018-2019 school year last week. The district has also proposed a Director of Equity and Excellence position that has been posted as an anticipated position, pending approval of the City budget. Although this position has yet to be filled, I encourage people to learn about the Director of Equity and Excellence via the job description.

• Nicole Viele will be the new Assistant Principal for Beacon House at SHS, assuming the position vacated by the retirement of Jane Cummings. As the SHS director of athletics for the last several years she has formed strong relationships with students and families that are so important in her new role. A former Special Education teacher who has been at leader in athletics at both the high school and collegiate level she is looking forward to this new opportunity.
• John Braga will be the incoming Assistant Principal at the Argenziano School. Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, Mr. Braga comes via Boston Public Schools with a background in English language learner education as well as student and family outreach.
• Current Assistant Principal at the Winter Hill Community Innovation School Courtney Gosling will be stepping up as Principal. Ms Gosling is a former Assistant Principal in Salem with years of classroom teaching experience. Outgoing WHCIS principal Chad Massa shared that "the Winter Hill could not be in better hands".
• Dr. Mary Ellen Cobbs will join the Healey School as its new principal. She is a seasoned principal, most recently in Melrose, who is looking forward to returning to her urban education roots. 
• Liz Doncaster will be SPS Interim Student Support Director, stepping up from her current position as Assistant Director. Ms Doncaster has honed her leadership skills at SPS, with 12 years at the Capuano as well as serving as the former Director of Summer School. 
• Stanley Vieira is returning to his Somerville roots to assume the position of Director of Athletics. A 1987 SHS graduate, with experience in both athletics and student services, he comes to SHS via his most recent position as the Arlington Director of Athletics.
• Chad Massa will be the SPS Interim Assistant Superintendent, assuming the role formerly held by Dr Almi Abeyta, who has joined Chelsea Public Schools as its new Superintendent. His years as principal at the WHCIS has prepared him well for this opportunity in the SPS Central Office. 10/30 Update: Read more about Chad Mazza in the SPS "Welcome Assistant Superintendent Chad Mazza" blog post.