Amherst appoints Fort River school principal

AMHERST – After initially stepping down as a finalist for the Fort River school principal, Michelle Hernandez has reconsidered and will begin her tenure as head of the school next month.

A letter to the families of Superintendent Michael Morris announced that Hernandez, deputy principal of the Dr. Marcella R. Kelly School in Holyoke, will assume the leadership role on August 2.

Morris cited her four years at Holyoke and her experience as a para-educator and teacher in Chicopee schools for 10 years as making Hernandez a good candidate at the school where Caminantes, the bilingual English and Spanish program, continues to thrive. develop.

“In addition, Ms. Hernandez has experience in leading a bilingual program similar to Caminantes; provide professional development on teaching practices; and promote high quality family engagement, ”Morris wrote.

Director Diane Chamberlain and Assistant Director Renee Greenfield both announced in January their departure as of July.

School officials did two searches for the Fort River substation. The first search interviewed four candidates but ended unsuccessfully because the preferred candidate got another job. The second search almost ended after Hernandez dropped out, although he was recommended as a finalist.

Chamberlain will continue to be the primary administrative contact for Fort River until Hernandez begins.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.