DEERFIELD — There’s someone new overseeing Deerfield Elementary School — former assistant and interim Principal Tina Gemme has been named full-time principal.
“A groundswell of support from the Deerfield Elementary School staff and community has led me to the decision to appoint Tina Gemme as the new principal,” said Union 38 Superintendent Lynn Carey in a message recently sent to parents.
“Ms. Gemme possesses exceptional leadership qualities, demonstrated by her daily interactions with students, staff, families, and community members,” Carey said. “Her professional skills, personal warmth, and dedication to the school are a perfect match for the high quality educational experience that Deerfield Elementary School staff provides our students.”
Gemme, who became the school’s assistant principal in 2016, acted as interim principal last semester when Jeanine Heil left the post in August and moved to West Springfield’s school district.
“Tina is wonderful,” said Trevor McDaniel, a Deerfield selectman who is also on the Deerfield School Committee. “She has changed the feeling of the school 360 degrees in such a short time.”
Initially, Carey said school officials anticipated creating a selection committee “to develop the interview questions, and to post the job and description.”
However, as officials began piecing together an interview committee, “we heard from administrators, staff, community members and school committee members that based on what Tina had already accomplished in the five months she served as interim principal, stakeholders felt that rather than go through the expense and time of a search, it would be in the best interest of the school community to appoint her as principal.”
Gemme was not available for comment at this time.
Looking ahead, school officials intend to find a new assistant principal to replace Gemme. Kristen Robinson is currently serving as interim assistant principal.