Good afternoon,
I want to thank everyone for their patience and grace as we navigated the departmental realignment and their willingness to participate in the interview process for our assistant director of Specialized Programming. Dr. Claire Higgins will join Wellesley Public Schools in this role on October 1, 2024. In the meantime, we will continue the coverage put in place at the beginning of the school year, where Ms. Mazriegos will be the parent contact for elementary ISS, LBLC, and SKILLS, and Mr. McIntyre will be the parent contact for elementary TLC.
Please join me in congratulating Ms. Mazariegos, Mr. McIntyre, and Dr. Higgins on their new positions. Below is information about their backgrounds in education and a brief description of their positions.
Assistant Director of Elementary Learning Centers – Astrid Mazariegos
This position brings all elementary learning centers under one person, who will focus on aligning models, instruction, and services among the six elementary schools. 2.5 team chairs will join her (Hardy will have a .5 team chair/assistant. principal), resulting in .5 team chairs per elementary school.
Astrid began her career as an early childhood educator, working as a kindergarten teacher and playing a pivotal role in launching a two-way bilingual/special education program in an urban city. She has also served as a supervisor for graduate students at Lesley University. Since joining the Wellesley Public Schools in 2000, Astrid has taken on multiple roles, including classroom teacher, special educator, team chair, ESY coordinator, and K-5 Department Head for Special Education. She carries certification in early childhood education, special education, administration, and bilingual education, and she is Wilson certified. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to fostering student academic excellence, always focusing on equity and inclusion.
She is enrolled in the Special Education Leadership Institute for New Directors, furthering her professional development.
Assistant Director of Specialized Programming – Dr. Claire Higgins
This position brings all the elementary specialized programs under one person, who will focus on aligning models, instruction, and services among the four programs. This position directly responds to issues of program alignment identified in several program reviews and will collaborate with the MS and HS department heads to ensure alignment efforts.
Dr. Claire Higgins has been an educator for over 20 years. She began her career in the New York City Public Schools as an English teacher and, after moving back to this area, worked as a literacy specialist at Bay Cove Academy for students with emotional disabilities. In this capacity, she managed school-wide administration of the MCAS and SAT. Additionally, Dr. Higgins led department conferences and IEP team meetings in the absence of the Education Director; she facilitated therapeutic groups to develop the social pragmatics and communication skills of students; she reviewed and updated student records to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, and she coordinated visits for prospective students. Most recently, she spent 12 years at Watertown High School as a developer, special educator, and coordinator of a therapeutic alternative program. Claire is also an adjunct professor at Boston College’s Lynch School of Education. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her two sons. Claire is thrilled to join the team here in Wellesley!
Assistant Director of Secondary Learning Centers & OOD/Launch- Mike McIntyre
This position brings the MS/HS learning centers together with district-based oversight under one person, who will collaborate with department heads to align service delivery models, instruction, and services between the schools. Mr. McIntyre will also support Launch and continue to coordinate the out-of-district caseloads.
Mike McIntyre has had years of successful administrative experience. His early work focused on being an Asst. Principal/Team Chair in Milford Public Schools and as a director of Special Education in a Charter School. As an educator, he has developed a rapport with students, parents, administrators, and colleagues throughout his career, centered on mutual respect, integrity, and accountability. As an educator, he has learned that educators impact young people’s lives daily, giving another meaning to demonstrating conviction, integrity, work ethic, courage, empathy, and professional growth in the workplace. Regardless of the role, educators are teachers, mentors, confidants, problem solvers, visionaries, thinkers, and individuals who must always believe they can make a difference. Quality educators must also be inclined to take on leadership responsibilities while remembering that the goals and interests of the organization and team they work for must always be paramount, affecting as it does the best interest of the young people served.
Interim Director of Early Childhood- Kristen Stacy
This position coordinates, supervises, leads staff, designs programs, oversees daily budgets, and prepares budgets for all aspects of the Integrated Preschool Program.
Ms. Kristen Stacy is beginning her 17th year at Wellesley and her 23rd year in Special Education. She spent 12 years in a Special Education teacher role and started her administration work at Wellesley in 2017 as an interim department head for elementary special education. She enjoys time with her family and friends and loves following her two boys, playing soccer or mountain biking.