On June 15, the School Committee welcomed Brookline’s three incoming principals – Genteen Jean Michel, Allyson Hart, and Dr. Suzie Talukdar. Ms. Jean Michel will be the principal at Runkle, Ms. Hart will lead Lawrence, and Dr. Talukdar will be the interim principal at Driscoll. Members of the public, Superintendent Bott and his leadership team, and School Committee members attended the welcome reception at the beginning of the School Committee meeting.
Following the reception, Superintendent Bott formally introduced the three school leaders, describing them each as listeners, collaborators, and problem solvers. Each principal shared a little about their experience, where they are from, their families, and why they are looking forward to working in Brookline.
Ms. Jean Michel, who is currently an elementary school principal in Boston, explained how she has already spent a full day at Runkle listening to and learning from the staff and parents. She also shared how she is looking forward to visiting homes around the Runkle School with School Committee member Helen Charlupski so she can also get to know the school’s neighbors.
Dr. Talukdar is currently the Director for Brookline’s METCO program and is in her eleventh year as an administrator in Brookline. Superintendent Bott acknowledged how accomplished she is at collaborating with teachers, principals, and families to support students. Dr. Talukdar, who is already well known in the Driscoll community because of her work as Director of METCO, has attended a faculty meeting at Driscoll and met with parents at an open forum earlier in the week.
Ms. Hart has been a teacher and administrator for more than 17 years, most recently serving in the Boston Public Schools as an Assistant Principal at the Blackstone Innovation School. She recently spent three days at the Lawrence School meeting with teachers, observing classrooms, attending the family picnic, and getting to know students. She shared how deeply moved she has been by the welcoming she has received from the Lawrence School community.
All three principals will officially begin in July.