By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The Massachusetts Secondary School Administrators’ Association named High School Assistant Principal Kevin Cyr Assistant Principal of the Year last week.
Cyr found out he was named Assistant Principal of the Year on Tuesday, Dec. 2 and the award was announced publicly on Thursday, Dec. 4. Lynnfield High School Principal Bob Cleary nominated Cyr for the prestigious award.
“It’s pretty cool,” said Cyr. “It’s an incredible honor. I am very fortunate to be part of this school and community. We have a great staff and I love the students here. The parents and School Committee are very supportive of education.”
Cyr will be receiving the award at MSSA’s conference in July. He will also be flying to Washington D.C. next year, where he and assistant principals from the other 49 states will be recognized.
“I am looking forward to it,” said Cyr.
Cleary said he’s thrilled MSSA’s decided to name Cyr assistant principal of the year.
“We are extremely excited to have Kevin recognized as the Assistant Principal of the Year,” said Cleary. “I nominated him because of his dedication to excellence in all of his dealings with students, staff and the community. Kevin genuinely cares about all of our students and he works tirelessly to help them have the best experience possible at LHS. He is an outstanding educator and a valuable colleague. He should win this award every year.”
Superintendent of Schools Jane Tremblay agreed.
“Kevin is an amazing educator,” said Tremblay. “He is so dedicated and passionate about his work with students and teachers. Kevin cares deeply about the students he serves, and will work endlessly to ensure that students get what they need to be successful. He has very high expectations for our teachers and mediocrity is not in any part of his definition of what he believes it means to be successful in our school district.”
In order to receive the award, Cyr completed a “rigorous application process” that included an essay, references and research about the high school.
“I really enjoyed going through the process because it was a chance to reflect on what I do,” said Cyr.
Cyr has served as LHS’ assistant principal since July 2008. He served as Carver High School’s assistant principal from 2006-2008. He also worked as a social studies department head and teacher at North Reading High School from 1999-2006.
“I was on vacation and I was shocked when I saw the ad in the paper,” Cyr recalled. “I was aware of Lynnfield’s reputation when I worked in North Reading and thought it would a great place to work.”
Since coming to LHS, Cyr has been involved with a number of different initiatives. He was a champion of the high school’s technology initiatives, worked to expand the advisory program, has emphasized student leadership and has been a regular fixture at state tournament games. He also appeared as a baker in LHS’ production of “Beauty and the Beast” last month.
Cyr attributed the Assistant Principal of the Year award to “the school and community.”
“None of this would have been possible if I didn’t work in Lynnfield,” Cyr added. “The people here truly support education. We have a great staff at the high school, and I have developed great professional and personal relationships with our staff.”
Cyr also thanked Cleary for the support he has given him the past six years.
“Bob is a great leader,” said Cyr. “We have two different styles, but Bob really empowers me. We have a great working relationship.”
Cyr said the school culture at LHS truly sets the high school apart from other high schools.
“Our kids are different than other schools because we have an inclusive environment,” said Cyr. “Whether a student is involved with athletics or drama, or whether they are special education students or are students in Advanced Placement classes, there is a place for everyone. I think that is why our alumni always come back and visit.”
Cyr said the most enjoyable aspect of serving as LHS’ assistant principal are the students.
“I have a lot of contact with the kids and I am involved with a lot of student programs,” said Cyr. “The reality of the job is the higher you go, the less contact you have with students. A lot of principals I talk to tell me they enjoyed working as an assistant principal because you get to work so closely with students. It’s satisfying helping get kids ready for college.”
