SHELBURNE FALLS — Hayley Gilmore, assistant principal of Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School, will begin her transition this month into the role of principal.
Gilmore will fill the shoes of Principal Joanne Giguere, who announced her retirement in November, according to Mohawk Trail Regional School District Communications Director Carla Potts. Giguere — who has served the district for 19 years — and Gilmore will co-principal through February, until Gilmore assumes the role on March 1.
According to Potts, Gilmore was one of six candidates from the original applicant pool to be interviewed during the principal search, which began after Giguere announced her plans to retire. From there, she was selected as one of two finalists.
Gilmore, a resident of Bernardston and lifelong resident of Western Massachusetts, is a graduate of Frontier Regional School, as well as Greenfield Community College, Elms College and Smith College, according to a press release from the Mohawk Trail Regional School District. Her passion for teaching began as early as high school, when she volunteered in a preschool classroom.
“I’ve always loved working with kids,” Gilmore stated in the release. “And I think being the youngest in my family, I would gravitate toward younger kids when we were in groups. It was a novel experience being able to teach them something new and I enjoyed the relationship-building.”
She began her career after college as a tutor in math, writing and reading, the release states. She also spent three years working with non-verbal children at a therapeutic riding program.
Before joining Buckland-Shelburne Elementary in 2018, she was the Massachusetts program coordinator and special educator for SD Associates — an Erving-based firm that offers behavioral services to individuals with disabilities and autism — where she provided professional development and training for staff members.
Gilmore said in the release that she feels the new position is “just the right fit” for her, and she is excited to step into the new role.
“I love being part of a small, rural community where families, students and community members really know one another,” she said. “It really makes me feel like I can support kids and their families knowing that when they walk through the front door, I know them. Building these personal connections is so important.”
Although it isn’t a “typical year” due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gilmore said she is excited for when the school community can come together again.
“I’m looking forward to the day when we can make those real, authentic connections and engage with our community,” she said. “It’s important for our students to connect with our community in fun and engaging ways and for parents to be part of that — to be a part of a student’s education.”
Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne