Downs named principal of AMS in Medford
Published in the August 30, 2018 edition
By JILLIAN STRING
NORTH READING — North Reading High School Assistant Principal Michael Downs has recently accepted the position of principal at Andrews Middle School in Medford.
Superintendent Jon Bernard informed School Committee members of the administrative vacancy at their meeting Monday evening.
According to Bernard, Downs resigned from his assistant principal position, effective Friday, August 24, in order to begin the school year in Medford on Tuesday, August 28.
“I worked with both (Downs) and the superintendent in Medford, who’s brand new and had a lot of administrative hiring to do, to release Mr. Downs,” Bernard said. “I felt it was important, as a new principal, that he was present at his new school.”
Medford Superintendent Dr. Marice Edouard-Vincent released the appointment of Downs via the Medford Public Schools website.
“Mr. Downs brings great energy, extensive leadership experience and a deep commitment to excellence to the Andrews community. It is my belief that his skill set will continue to provide the very best educational experience for students and parents of the Andrews Middle School,” said Edouard-Vincent.
In addition to his years as assistant principal at NRHS, Downs’ 18 year administrative career includes associate building principal of Methuen High School, chair of the Social Studies Department at Methuen High School, and time served as a Captain in the United States Air Force.
According to Edouard-Vincent, Downs began his educational career teaching social studies at Merrimack High School in Merrimack, N.H. He received his bachelor of science degree in Social Science Education from Plymouth State College, his master of school administration degree from Rivier College, and a certificate of advanced graduate studies in Education Administration from Salem State College.
Downs has also been a professional development presenter discussing effective grading and assessments, and he served on the District Technology Committee, School Renovation Committee, NEASC Committee for Curriculum and the NEASC Committee for Leadership and Supervision.
Additionally, Downs has served as a coach for women’s basketball at Lasell College, and also coached varsity girls’ soccer, varsity boys’ basketball, and junior varsity baseball at the high school level.
Downs was voted Favorite Teacher of the Year by the Class of 2000 at Merrimack High School and was named Educator of the Year in 2005 by the Junior ROTC at Methuen High School.
“I feel very excited and very fortunate to be a part of the Medford team. What drives my work in education is to do what is best for the kids. It’s my core value,” Downs stated in the interview for the Medford Public Schools website.
Impact for NRHS
Bernard assured School Committee members that there would be minimal impact at NRHS while searching for an interim assistant principal.
“We’re working with Mr. Loprete at the high school to fill in any gaps there might be. A number of people have stepped up from his teaching staff, the middle school administration, Dr. Daly, myself, and we’re going to all pitch in to make sure things open smoothly at the high school,” Bernard stated. “We wish (Downs) well…(he) will certainly do well in (his) new job.”
According to Bernard, the interim assistant principal position has been posted and 50 applications have already been received.
Bernard hopes to begin interviews after the posting closes on Friday, August 31.
