Dear GMRSD Community,

It is with profound honor and sincere gratitude that I introduce myself as your newly appointed Interim Superintendent. My name is Tari N. Thomas, and I am deeply appreciative of the GMRSD school committee for entrusting me with this critical leadership role. I eagerly anticipate collaborating with them over the forthcoming twelve months to ensure a smooth and productive period for our district.

Allow me to provide an overview of my professional trajectory, which has serendipitously led me to the Gill-Montague Regional School District. My career in education commenced over four decades ago as an elementary and middle school teacher. I dedicated eighteen fulfilling years to shaping young minds, initially in MSAD #61 in Maine, and subsequently within the Lenox, MA public schools. This foundational experience in the classroom provided me with invaluable insights into the daily lives of students and educators, fostering a profound understanding of their needs and aspirations.

My path then transitioned into school administration, where I served as a PK-6 principal for Shutesbury Elementary, followed by a K-4 principalship in Agawam. These roles allowed me to broaden my leadership skills, focusing on cultivating nurturing and effective learning environments for our youngest learners. I then transferred to Union #73 and Ralph C. Mahar Regional as an assistant superintendent and then full superintendent, a role that further honed my educational leadership, strategic planning and community engagement capabilities. Following my retirement from that position, I found myself drawn back to the field, spending two invigorating years as an interim superintendent for the five diverse school districts that comprise SAU #35 in the picturesque North Country of New Hampshire. It appears I am not particularly adept at retirement! I am also privileged to work with the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, contributing to their induction program as a dedicated coach for new superintendents during their critical first three years. This ongoing involvement keeps me connected to the evolving landscape of educational leadership and allows me to mentor the next generation of superintendents.

As our community embarks on the important process of selecting a new permanent Superintendent, my role as your interim leader is unequivocally to facilitate a seamless and stable transition for our new district leader. We stand at a fascinating and challenging juncture in public education, with a multitude of changes on the horizon across local, State, and Federal levels. My overarching goal throughout this interim period is multi-faceted: to be an unwavering advocate for all children in our district, ensuring their well-being and academic success remain at the forefront of every decision; to serve as an effective and transparent communicator, fostering open dialogue and collaboration within our school community; and critically, to build upon the rich traditions and remarkable successes that have already defined our district.

I once again extend my sincere gratitude to the GMRSD School Committee for this incredible opportunity. I am genuinely enthusiastic about the next twelve months and the collaborative work we will undertake on behalf of the Gill-Montague students, staff, and community. I encourage you to please feel entirely comfortable introducing yourselves to me, and to approach me with any questions, concerns, or, indeed, to share points of pride regarding our schools and students. Together, through collective effort and shared vision, I am confident that we can further enhance the educational experience for all of our children.

Tari Nugent Thomas