Dear Mendell Families,

I hope you all are having a wonderful summer!  

I’m writing to say hello and introduce myself to you all.  To tell you a little about my career:  I started my teaching in the NYC  public schools and taught history and special education here in Boston.  I fell in love with literacy when, as a history teacher, I was committed to supporting my students in engaging  with complex historical texts on history, power and justice.  I went on to serve as Director of Instruction with Boston Collegiate Charter School in Dorchester, did the Aspiring Principal Fellowship through the Lynch Leadership Academy,  and most recently  worked as the Transformation Coach and then Acting Principal at the Mason School, where I focused on improving literacy outcomes for our students.  

My goal as an educator is aligned to the BPS mission:  to provide every single child, in every classroom, what they need.  I’ve learned and continue to learn an incredible amount as an educator from raising my own children, who are now going into 5th and 8th grades and who have had very different paths in school.  As a leader, I ask myself the question “What would I want if this was my child?” every single day, and use the answer to those questions to guide my work;  it is the lens I see every decision through.

I am thrilled to be at the Mendell,  a community that so values equity and inclusion.  Moving forward, my goal is to get to know your children well in the coming year and to build strong relationships with all families as well. Please introduce yourself in the school yard - I’ll be around and happy to say hello.  And if there’s anything you’d like to discuss with me, please reach out and we can set up time to meet.  

Additionally, I’d like to offer drop in / meet and greet time if any of you would like to say hello, ask questions, etc before the school year starts.  

• Friday August 26th from 2:00-3:00 (at the Mendell)

• Monday August 29th from 8:30-9:30 (at the Mendell)

• Wednesday August 31st from 4:30-5:30 (on Zoom- Link HERE)

Practically, the team here at the Mendell is working very hard to get ready for the new year, and you should be getting information about your child’s classroom and school opening by early next week.  6th grade families, we will also be scheduling time to talk about the opening of school and offer time to see the new space.  We are very excited about the 6th grade expansion and excited to share the space with you in the coming weeks.

Again I look forward to getting to know you and your children this year.  

Best,

Michelle Morrissey