“Twenty years ago I made a mistake,” she told the more than 100 parents assembled. “I didn’t do a second head count.
“It’s still very difficult to talk about this,” Somers added, noting that no harm came to the child.
Some Staples parents had learned about the incident via Google, and it had since made the rounds.
Somers continued that “vicious and malicious events” and accusations that followed made her, a mother of four concerned about the welfare of her own children, decide to close her center she had run for 11 years.
Members of the Board of Education were front row attendees at today’s session. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
The incident, she said, not only transformed her into a person who “dots my ‘i’s and crosses my ‘t’s, It also taught me humility.”
That sense of humility, Somers added, made her grow as an educator by listening more closely to students who felt marginalized by their own mistakes.
Several parents said they admired her candor and openness. But one woman, who had her eyes fixed on her i-phone, said that Google had suggested there was more, that her license had been taken away for five years and that she had been forced to shut down the center. Somers said that was untrue.
Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon jumped to Somers’ defense, saying that Greenwich school officials and their attorneys did their own research and “none of that is true, and it had no impact on her certification.”
Most parent’s questions, however, focused on the future and what Somers would bring to Staples.
“What did you do that had endeared you so much?” one mother asked about Somers being named Connecticut Middle School Principal of the year for 2014-15.
The Staples cafeteria was full for the meeting with Staples principal finalist Shelly Somers. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
“I set out to change the culture,” Somers replied, noting that she is a student advocate who changed programs or implemented new ones.
Regarding the common core curriculum, Somers said she supports it because it allows student to get beyond the facts to sort through information, “to scrutinize what they are reading.”
Somers also displayed that she is no proponent of standardized tests, saying they increase stress among young people. When one man asked if Somers thought it would be a good idea to incorporate an SAT prep course into the curriculum, she said no.
“I would hope that the course work would be preparation enough,” Somers said.
When asked about her vision for Staples, Somers said it was too early. She said she would have to explore it with students, parents, teachers and staff.
One father asked how being a middle school teacher would prepare her for a job as a high school principal.
“I’m an educator,” Somers responded. “I taught every grade, and I am prepared.”
Prior to joining Greenwich in 2010, Somers served as head of school of arts, communication and technology at Beaufort High School in Beaufort, S.C. from 2006 to 2009. She was also assistant principal of Hilton Head High School in Hilton head, S.C. from 2003 to 2005.
Somers was selected as the finalist’s for the Staples job following a six-month search started in December when current Principal John Dodig announced he would be retiring at the end of the school year.
“Twenty years ago I made a mistake,” she told the more than 100 parents assembled. “I didn’t do a second head count.
“It’s still very difficult to talk about this,” Somers added, noting that no harm came to the child.
Some Staples parents had learned about the incident via Google, and it had since made the rounds.
Somers continued that “vicious and malicious events” and accusations that followed made her, a mother of four concerned about the welfare of her own children, decide to close her center she had run for 11 years.
Members of the Board of Education were front row attendees at today’s session. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
The incident, she said, not only transformed her into a person who “dots my ‘i’s and crosses my ‘t’s, It also taught me humility.”
That sense of humility, Somers added, made her grow as an educator by listening more closely to students who felt marginalized by their own mistakes.
Several parents said they admired her candor and openness. But one woman, who had her eyes fixed on her i-phone, said that Google had suggested there was more, that her license had been taken away for five years and that she had been forced to shut down the center. Somers said that was untrue.
Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon jumped to Somers’ defense, saying that Greenwich school officials and their attorneys did their own research and “none of that is true, and it had no impact on her certification.”
Most parent’s questions, however, focused on the future and what Somers would bring to Staples.
“What did you do that had endeared you so much?” one mother asked about Somers being named Connecticut Middle School Principal of the year for 2014-15.
The Staples cafeteria was full for the meeting with Staples principal finalist Shelly Somers. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
“I set out to change the culture,” Somers replied, noting that she is a student advocate who changed programs or implemented new ones.
Regarding the common core curriculum, Somers said she supports it because it allows student to get beyond the facts to sort through information, “to scrutinize what they are reading.”
Somers also displayed that she is no proponent of standardized tests, saying they increase stress among young people. When one man asked if Somers thought it would be a good idea to incorporate an SAT prep course into the curriculum, she said no.
“I would hope that the course work would be preparation enough,” Somers said.
When asked about her vision for Staples, Somers said it was too early. She said she would have to explore it with students, parents, teachers and staff.
One father asked how being a middle school teacher would prepare her for a job as a high school principal.
“I’m an educator,” Somers responded. “I taught every grade, and I am prepared.”
Prior to joining Greenwich in 2010, Somers served as head of school of arts, communication and technology at Beaufort High School in Beaufort, S.C. from 2006 to 2009. She was also assistant principal of Hilton Head High School in Hilton head, S.C. from 2003 to 2005.
Somers was selected as the finalist’s for the Staples job following a six-month search started in December when current Principal John Dodig announced he would be retiring at the end of the school year.
In addition to a meeting with parents, is there a forum for current/former Staples students and current Staples teachers to meet the candidate and/or weigh in on the Board of Ed decision? Current students and teachers are the two groups whose input on this decision seems most important!