Last modified: Thursday, June 10, 2010 12:03 AM EDT

Lynn schools promote 3 teachers to principal

By Laura Paine / The Daily Item
LYNN - Superintendent Catherine Latham this week announced the names of three new elementary
school principals - Eileen Cole, Gayle Dufour and Pattye Griffin.

"As the result of an extensive application examination, record review and interview process, I am
pleased to announce the appointment of three new principals to positions within the Lynn Public
Schools," Latham said on the Lynn Public Schools Web site.

Cole, who is currently a fourth-grade teacher at Brickett Elementary School, will now replace Debra
Ruggiero as the school's principal. Cole received her bachelor's degree in educational studies from
Salem State College and her Master's degree in organizational management from Endicott College.
Over the last 11 years she has worked as a classroom teacher, curriculum and instruction teacher and as
an acting principal in the Lynn Public School system.

"With the knowledge, experience and commitment to continue the initiatives and programs begun by
outgoing principal Ms. Deb Ruggiero, she will be an excellent successor for Ms. Ruggiero," Latham
said.

Ruggiero will be moving to the Harrington Elementary School in the fall.

Dufour, who is currently in charge of the science program at the Ingalls Elementary School, will be the
new principal of the Hood Elementary School. She received her bachelor's degree in Spanish from
Westfield State College and her Master's degree in elementary education from Salem State College,
where she also received a certificate of advanced graduate study in educational leadership. Over the
past 11 years she has worked as a classroom teacher, a teacher for the gifted and talented program, a
curriculum instruction teacher and an acting principal.

"(Defour) has outstanding experience in standards-based lesson planning, departmentalized instruction

and educational technology," Latham said. "She will succeed retiring principal Mr. Joseph Cole, who is
out on personal leave, and Ms. Joanne Roy, who is currently acting principal at Hood."

Griffin, an elementary math coach for the Lynn Public Schools, will be the new principal of the Tracy
Elementary School. She received her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Westfield State
College, a master's degree in reading from Salem State College and a certificate of advanced graduate
study in educational leadership from American International College in Sprinfield. Over the last 25
years Griffin has worked in the Lynn schools as a classroom teacher, a special-education teacher and an
elementary mathematics teacher.

Latham said she is an experienced presenter of staff development workshops in the areas of
mathematics, pedagogy and technology. She will succeed Mary Dill, who will be moving to the
Connery Elementary School in the fall.

"All three of our new principals are actively involved with our district data-driven decision-making
initiative, and all have worked with our elementary school improvement planning teams," Latham said.
"They are all well-respected for the high standards they set for their teaching and the high expectations
they hold for their students. I am excited by their knowledge, experience and enthusiasm, and feel
confident that they will provide excellent leadership to their respective schools."

All three principals will officially begin their tenure on July 1, but have already begun meeting with
faculty, staff and parents.