East Elementary Principal pair poised for year

Sharon - For 23 years Judith Freedberg served as principal for the East Elementary School in Sharon. This year, following her retirement, the school year begins with new leadership.

Taking over as principal is former assistant principal Elizabeth Murphy and taking over the assistant principal job is former Norwood school administrator, Donna Brown.

Murphy, who has been at East Elementary for 28 years, started as a first grade teacher and rose up the ranks from teacher to curriculum coordinator to part time assistant principal and now to principal. She said she couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.

“It’s the perfect fit for me,” she said. “I’m so happy to be here.”

Murphy, who is already in the school preparing for the kids to start on Wednesday, Aug. 31, said her goals included maintaining academic excellence, creating a climate of respect, creating a common core curriculum, and initiating an anti-bullying curriculum. She said she felt energized by the promotion.

“I feel like they’ve given me a fresh start,” she said.

Brown, who has been working for the Norwood public schools for more than 25 years, also said she was excited for the upcoming year. 

“The school system’s reputation is phenomenal,” she said. “I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

She began as a speech pathologist and rose up the ladder at Cleveland Elementary School in Norwood until she was head teacher, a role similar to assistant principal. She said so far, she has been well received by the school community.

“I was overwhelmed by just how happy they were to see me,” she said.

A committee of approximately 15 teachers and parents were responsible for picking both Murphy and Brown. Both agreed that the process was thorough, but that it was a reassuring thing.

“It really told me a lot about their commitment to the kids,” Brown said.

The two new principals spoke very highly of each other. Murphy said she thinks Brown’s enthusiasm and outside experience with curriculum planning will help improve the school even more.

“She’s going to be a fabulous addition to the East family,” she said.

Brown said she hoped to learn from Murphy, who she said has been such an important person in the Sharon community.

“Liz is an exceptional educator,” she said. “I think she’s going to be a tremendous mentor.”

Evan Koslof

8/18/11

Originally Posted: http://www.wickedlocal.com/sharon/news/x386666819/East-Elementary-Principal-pair-poised-for-year#axzz1VjgaF1zy