New ATS Principal Background
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Anonymous
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Hi all, curious what others with more experience think about the new ATS principal's background (see below)? I guess I'm surprised someone who started their professional experience in 2011 would already be a principal, but this probably just reflects that I'm an old and have how no idea how quickly school administrators move up.
The School Board named Sam Podbelski as the new Principal of ATS. Podbelski began his career as a special education teacher at Durfee High School in Fall River, Mass in 2011. During his time in Fall River, he was a mentor teacher, class advisor, and fencing coach. In 2015, Sam moved to Boston to work as an English Language Arts and Social Studies teacher at Brooke Charter School’s East Boston K-8 campus. Later, he was selected to be a founding member at Brooke’s new high school serving as a humanities teacher and mentor teacher. In 2018, Podbelski was accepted to the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s School Leadership Program where he received his Ed.M. in Educational Administration. After earning his masters, Podbelski joined the Boston Public Schools as the Director of Instruction/Vice-Principal at the Henderson K-12 Inclusion School until being appointed as interim principal of the school during the 2021-22 school year. Podbelski holds a B.A. in both education and history from Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island. His appointment begins July 1. |
Anonymous
| Interesting guy. |
Anonymous
| It's not easy to get administrators these days and I wish him well. |
Anonymous
| I think it’s great they’re bringing in some fresh blood rather than appointing a current VP. |
Anonymous
I tend to agree, though I wonder if any current VPs wanted the job to begin with. |
Anonymous
| I think what’s worth looking at is how fast men move up the principal pipeline vs women. |
Anonymous
z NP. That was my thought, too. |
Anonymous
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He seems like a great fit for ATS. I’m excited to have him on board.
https://school-management-system.educationtechnologyinsights.com/cxoinsights/out-of-crisis-an-opportunity--nid-1849.html |
Anonymous
I’m cautiously optimistic. My son is in K at ATS and let’s just say somewhat behaviorally-challenged so I’m sure I’ll be having some conversations with the new principal over the next few years 
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Anonymous
| I think he could be great for our school. Looking forward to meeting him. |
Anonymous
I disagree. I’ve been teaching for 25 years and had a leadership position within my first 6, thinking I was going to start an administration grad program. I decided I would rather stay in the classroom. Teachers can easily become a principal within 10 years if they want to. I’ve known young women who have also done so. It’s hard to get people who want to do this. It is a lot of work and responsibility and the salary is not that big of an increase. Many of us went into teaching because we like working with the students and these jobs take you away from that. I hope he does well and wish him the best of luck. |
Anonymous
I don't see that as an issue in APS specifically. |
Anonymous
| If you look at his linked in, he didn't spend much time in the classroom. I have very low expectations and wanted the old AP to be the new ATS principal but another school got her instead. |
Anonymous
WHITE men...you forgot that part. for a 50% POC school. |
Anonymous
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It seems like he stepped in during a time of crisis, which I wouldn't have wanted to do.
https://list23.com/321845-after-attack-on-principal-bps-officials-seek-to-reassure-henderson-school-parents-about-the-school-s/ Also seems kinda hot. |