Groups of teachers, students, parents, and administrators finalized the search for a new high school principal late last month. The search began with 26 candidates, and out of the six who became finalists, Mr. Patrick Kelly was chosen to take over the position held this year on an interim basis by Mrs. Kathryn Dawe.

On February 28, the school staff had a short after-school get together where Kelley introduced himself.

“We want people to be running into the building instead of running out,” Kelley said.

Kelley, 37, is currently the assistant principal at Holliston High School, a suburb southwest of Boston. He held that job for five years, previously serving as a history teacher. He will begin his job at Triton on July 1, 2019.

The Triton Voice emailed questions to Kelley and he responded as follows

Triton Voice: First I would like to ask why you wanted to become a principal?

Mr. Patrick Kelley: To start I just really love working with young adults. I have been in some form of teaching or working with children since I was 13. I taught learn-to-skate, worked at summer camps, and then began teaching when I finished graduate school. I really want to be principal at this point in my

because I love the idea and work of developing and setting a vision for a school.

Voice: How long do you hope to be principal for? Why choose Triton?

Kelley:I am hopeful to be a principal for a long time. I am still early in my administrative career, and being a principal has been what I have been working towards. I would say we choose each other. When I made the decision to look for principal jobs, my wife and I discussed where we wanted to live and raise our family, what types of communities would be a fit, what the ideal size of the school would be. Then what became most important for me centered around what the educational beliefs of the school and community are, where they see the district going in the future, what the relationship with the superintendent was like, who was part of the administrative team. Every person I have interacted with at Triton so far has been thoughtful and kind.

Voice: Is there anything around the school that you want to change? What are your goals in the first year?

Kelley: I have learning objectives that I believe strongly in, but much of the first year will be dedicated to getting to know the faculty, students, and community. I am really interested in helping to implement different types of learning opportunities for students. I think that learning should have real-world application and the things we want students to be able to do as citizens when they leave.I  also believe strongly in student agency and increasing student voice and choice within the classroom.

Voice: Tell us about your family and interests outside school.

Kelley: I am married and have two little boys. We also have a yellow lab. My wife works in education. She teaches first grade.. My sons are 4 1/2 and 3 and keep us busy at all times. We love spending time together as a family and doing outdoors activities. Every indication I have got is that this is a wonderful community and I feel really lucky to be joining the team.