LEYDEN — Deanna Leblanc, 34, of Agawam has been named the new principal of Pearl Rhodes Elementary School.
Leblanc, formerly assistant principal of all three Southern Berkshire Regional Schools, replaced Pearl Rhodes Principal Christine Maguire. Maguire accepted a position as special education administrator within the Pioneer Valley Regional School District.
“I’m excited to be there,” Leblanc said. “Leyden is a great little community. I’m excited to get working with the staff and I’m looking forward to spending time with the kids.”
“Deanna has an excellent vision for education which nicely aligns with the philosophy of the Pioneer Valley Regional School District and Pearl Rhodes Elementary School,” said Pioneer Superintendent Ruth Miller. “We are very excited and happy to have her.”
While Leblanc hasn’t been able to get settled into her office yet due to painting at the school, she said various community members have stopped in to say hello.
“It’s a very welcoming feeling and a very nice community to start off in,” Leblanc said.
For the most part, Leblanc will be on site at Pearl Rhodes. She is also going to work half-time as the district’s early childhood coordinator. The job will involve submitting grant applications, overseeing school accreditation, coordinating screenings, holding meetings with teachers that make up the Early Childhood Committee, and overseeing the professional development of early childhood teachers.
Leblanc told The Recorder in June that she wants to make Pearl Rhodes’ curriculum accommodate the needs of every student, build up positive behaviors as part of the school’s culture, and create opportunities for the students to connect with students from other local elementary schools, who will eventually be their high school peers.
Leblanc holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Rhode Island, a master’s degree in education from Cambridge College and a certificate of advanced graduate study from American International College.
She began her career at Parklawn Elementary School in Virginia as the general music teacher and chorus director. Leblanc also taught as a substitute in Rhode Island, taught eighth-grade science at Henry Lord Community School in Fall River and worked as the band and chorus director at Agawam Junior High School. She then transitioned into administration, and has been assistant principal of the three Southern Berkshire Regional Schools for two years.