Tremblay Selected For Mass. Elementary Principal Of The Year

Lynnfield Superintendent of Schools Dr. Thomas W. Jefferson announced this week that Jane Tremblay, principal of the , is this year's recipient of the Thomas C. Passios Award. The annual award is presented by the Massachusetts Elementary School Principals Association (MESPA) to the Massachusetts Elementary School Principal of the Year.

Dr. Mitchell Chester, commissioner of education in Massachusetts, will present the award to Tremblay at the annual MESPA conference Wednesday in Hyannis. Later in the year, Tremblay is expected to travel to Washington D.C. to meet the secretary of education and to represent Massachusetts at a gathering of counterparts from across the nation. At that point, she will also be a candidate for national principal of the year.

In an announcement to local media, Dr. Jefferson explained that the selection process involving Tremblay began when colleagues assembled some letters of recommendation without her knowledge. MESPA officials later visited Summer Street School after Tremblay was selected as a finalist, meeting with students, parents, colleagues and others.

"Reading the letters it was obvious that Jane had deeply touched and impacted not only her school, but the entire community," said Nadya Higgins, executive direct of MESPA. "The admiration, respect and love everyone feels for Jane was clearly evident. From working with Jane I know that she combines best professional practices with a genuine passion for children. Lynnfield is fortunate to have her."

Tremblay started in Lynnfield as a kindergarten teacher in 1986 at Huckleberry Hill Elementary School. She began teaching second grade in 1988 until 2004, when she became that acting principal at Huckleberry Hill. In July of that year, she became principal at Summer Street. She is also reportedly a member of the Merrimack College faculty, having taught graduate courses on curriculum and instruction, data analysis and early childhood education.

The Summer Street PTO has also planned a reception for Tremblay on Tuesday, May 8 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the school. Community members are welcome to attend.