St. Stanislaus School Welcomes First Lay Principal
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Janet Tremblay's teaching career took off at St. Stan's as a kindergarten teacher under Sister Jacqueline M. Kazanowski. Now she's returning in the principal's post that Kazanowski stepped down from in July to become the school's director of mission effectiveness and finance.
"I am most pleased to appoint and welcome Miss Janet Tremblay as principal of St. Stanislaus Kostka School," Sister M. Andrea Ciszewski, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Springfield, said in a telephone interview. "With years of educational experience as a teacher and administrator, Miss Tremblay accepts the ministry of Catholic school leadership with a most enthusiastic, energetic and collaborative spirit. ... [Her] deep respect for the 100 years of school leadership by the Felician Sisters and her belief in the value of Catholic education position her well to continue its Catholic teachings, traditions and academic excellence."
A native of North Adams, Tremblay graduated from Drury High School and earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education from North Adams State College, now Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. The new principal also hold master's degrees in special education from Lesley University in Cambridge and in educational leadership from East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C.
"Since I was a little girl, I wanted to be a teacher. The squares of the quilt on my bed and my dolls were my students," Tremblay said, adding that she liked receiving pencil boxes, paper and other school supplies as Christmas gifts.
When Tremblay graduated from college in 1977, her dream seemed doomed.
"With Proposition 2 1/2 hitting education hard back then, there were very few opportunities for new teachers. I did both short- and long-term substituting," Tremblay, now 56, recalled. "Then, I accepted a full-time position with a local supermarket chain I had worked for part time while attending college."
After working in various positions throughout the company for 19 years, Tremblay decided it was time return to her true passion — teaching.
After teaching kindergarten and physical education at St. Stan's School, Tremblay "changed venue" in 1995 with teaching Grades 4 and 5 at Sullivan Elementary School and Grades 6 and 8 at the former Conte Middle School, both in North Adams, over the next eight years.
Then Tremblay moved far from her hometown and the schools with which she was familiar.
"In 2003, I accepted a position in North Carolina as a high school teacher with their Exceptional Children Program," she said. "I worked with students of varying abilities and disabilities."
A joyous family event served as a catalyst for Tremblay's return to North Adams in 2012.
"This past May, I became a proud grandmother of twin girls. It was time to come home," Tremblay explained. "The principal's position at St. Stan's was posted and I applied. Perhaps due to a combination of divine intervention, the grace of God, and many years of hard work, I was awarded the job ... ."
As the guest of honor at a meet-and-greet attended by Kazanowski, faculty, students and parents, Tremblay was impressed, she said, by the parents' care and concern for their children's education. "It was very encouraging."
One of the new principal's goals is to spread word of what the parochial chool can offer to students, parents and communities.
"The school's mission is to provide quality academic and Catholic education in a safe, loving, and nurturing environment and to model for students the values of faith, family, respect, and service," she said. "St. Stan's has done that for 100 years. My mission is to see that the school and its faculty continue to do this for many more years to come."
Students will return to school on Friday, Sept. 7, and on Monday, Sept. 10, at 2 p.m. a celebration of the opening of school will be held. It serves pre-kindergarten through Grade 8.
Tremblay said her door will always be open to faculty, students and parents, as well as anyone interested in pursuing St. Stan's as a viable learning experience for their child.
"Feel free to contact the school at 413-743-1091 to schedule a visit," she said. "When you visit our classrooms, it brings to mind a traditional solid foundation, the presence of respect, and a passion for teaching children."
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