In early August, Mr. Ken Smith was hired as the new principal at Suffield Middle School. Smith, a graduate of UConn with a Masters in Secondary English, went on to teach seventh grade English in Portland, Conn., for eight years. Encouraged to pursue a degree in administration, he received his administrative degree, also from UConn, and went on to be the assistant principal and then principal for the past 11 years at the Har-Bur Middle School (5th-8th grades), which services the Harwinton-Burlington, Conn. area.
When asked about what he sees as important in the first few months of school, Smith was enthusiastic about the importance of getting to know his staff, students and parents. He felt that being visible in the building was important as well as focusing on positive experiences and support for learning. Smith said that direct contact with students, teachers and parents helps to create the “extended family” feeling, the sense that the school is a safe and encouraging environment to learn and experiment and grow. Smith believes in the concept “Work smart, work hard and work together.” It takes cooperation as well as teamwork and he is a proponent of these ideas. He likes the team approach at the middle school as well, because it helps create a support system for the students, as well as the teachers.
Smith, his wife, and 10-year-old daughter reside in Wethersfield. Some of the things he enjoys include time with his family, sports of all kinds (he’s a Red Sox fan), UConn football, working out at the gym and reading.
We wish to welcome Mr. Smith and wish him good luck as our new school year starts.