Milton principal named as new leader of Kennedy Longfellow

On March 19, the Kennedy Longfellow Principal search concluded with the naming of Christine Gerber as the new principal of Kennedy Longfellow School. Below is the announcement from Superintendent Young on her appointment.  

March 19, 2010

Dear Kennedy-Longfellow Faculty, Staff, Parents and Students:

It is my great pleasure to announce the appointment of Ms. Christine Gerber as the next principal of the Kennedy-Longfellow School effective July 1, 2010. For the past three years, Chris has served as the principal of the Cunningham Elementary School in Milton, where she focused her efforts on improving the school culture and climate, creating a professional learning community, and improving student achievement. She has also taught at public and private schools in Boston and New York City. 

Chris is noted as by her colleagues as a gifted educator and an exceptional instructional leader who brings a passion for children to her work. She understands that educational goals are best accomplished when teachers, support staff, and parents communicate effectively and work collaboratively together to establish a positive, inclusive learning environment for all.

Christineís own educational background includes a Bachelorís Degree from Skidmore College, a Masterís Degree in Early Childhood Education from Bank Street College of Education, and a Masterís Degree from Harvard Graduate School of Education. The combination of her academic preparation and practical teaching and administrative experience has equipped her to provide the high quality leadership that the Kennedy-Longfellow community deserves.

I would like to acknowledge the leadership that Erin Kuehn has provided to the Kennedy-Longfellow in her role as Acting Principal this year. Erin has brought a sense of continuity and focus to the school community during this transitional period and is to be applauded for her contributions, which will continue when she resumes her position as Assistant Principal at the end of the school year. I am confident that Erin and Chris will make a dynamic educational team, and look forward to many exciting things happening at the Kennedy-Longfellow School. I am making a special request for all members of the school community to reach out to the new principal, to welcome her into our community, and to provide additional support as she takes on the challenges of being a principal in Cambridge.

Please thank your representatives to the Search Advisory Committee (faculty/staff members Karla Anderson, Joann Freitas, Kathleen Johnson, Ann Marie Viaud, Fergie Wheeler and parents Becky Fearing, Elaine Schear, Ellen Watson, and Nancy Wyse) who worked tirelessly with our administrative team to find the best principal for the Kennedy-Longfellow. This group invested tremendous energy and effort screening resumes, interviewing candidates, conducting site visits to schools, and making decisions about reducing the field of applicants to a small number of finalists for my consideration.

I am very much looking forward to having Christine Gerber join our leadership team in the Cambridge Public Schools. Please join me in congratulating her and welcoming her to the Kennedy-Longfellow.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey M. Young 

Superintendent of Schools