WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Maryland educator Christopher Barnes was announced Thursday as the new assistant principal of Mount Greylock Regional High School.
Barnes is in his second year as assistant principal at Towson High School outside of Baltimore.
"Chris is living a community similar to ours in that they are affiliated with Towson University," Superintendent of Schools Rose Ellis told the School Committee on Thursday night. "I think his experience spans what we were looking for. He is certainly well-versed in grade levels."
Towson is a larger school with an enrollment of 1,350 in Grades 9-12. Barnes' experience working with Towson University and Johns Hopkins University as well as his knowledge of all levels of education will be an asset to the school district, Ellis said.
"It's a very good match for Mount Greylock. I am delighted that Christopher is going to join us," Ellis said.
Barnes started teaching elementary school in the Baltimore City Public School System teaching Grades 2, 4 and 5. He later became the assistant principal at Waverly Middle School, also in the Baltimore area, before going to Towson High School. He also worked as a curriculum coordinator and instructor at Loyola University for teaching method courses.
School Committee member Abby Reifsnyder said she was impressed with Barnes when she got to meet him while he was recently touring the school. Ellis described Barnes as "enthusiastic" and possessing a lot of "vitality."
The search committee, consisting of teachers, administration, parents and students, held two interviews with the finalist and reviewed a writing sample before coming to a final decision Wednesday.
Barnes will be moving here with four children of his own who are expected to enroll in the district.
The assistant principal fills the dean of students position that was eliminated earlier this year. The job description was rewritten to include a stronger role in education.
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