Select Board gives new superintendent a welcome to the community
Amy Hartley-Matteson and Geoff Swett speak with the Select Board. Photo by Brandy Muz
Amy Hartley-Matteson and Geoff Swett speak with the Select Board. Photo by Brandy Muz
The new reigns to Wareham Public Schools will soon be handed over.
The Select Board welcomed upcoming Superintendent Amy Hartley-Matteson at their Tuesday, April 22 meeting. She will officially begin her role July 1, taking over for Matt D'Andrea.
Hartley-Matteson is the assistant superintendent in Randolph and is “proud and honored" to be the new superintendent of schools. Through her careers she said she pours herself into the work she does.
"I’m ready to jump in and very excited," she said.
School Committee Chair Geoff Swett joined Hartley-Matteson, highlighting her as not only qualified for the posisiton, but as a true educator with her many years as a teacher.
Hartley-Matteson said her career spans nearly three decades, beginning as a third-grade teacher in New Bedford and advancing through roles as assistant principal, principal and district administrator. She emphasized long-term commitment to the town.
“In almost 30 years of working in education, I’ve only been in three districts,” she said. “I’m looking to be a Wareham member for a very long time.”
Though the last few years have been spent in working Randold, Hartley-Matteson has SouthCoast roots. A Rochester current resident and native, she said the position carries meaning and is ready to have a commute that won't be over an hour.
“It feels really good to be pouring my heart and soul into what feels like my neighborhood,” she said.
Select Board members welcomed her and highlighted the importance of strong leadership. Sarah Corbitt gave props to the district for helping her two sons go on to have successful lives even through turblent times within the schools.
"They both became really wonderful adults. And I do believe it's what they experienced in these schools, that did that," Crobitt said.
With the school year winding down, Hartley-Matteson said she is finalizing a transition plan and will launch an entry plan in July that includes meeting with students, staff and community members.
