New principal joins Spring Street School staff
By Ken Powers Contributing Writer

Spring Street School Principal Greg Palmer greets students as they arrive on their first day of school Aug. 28. In the background, a banner welcomes Palmer to Spring Street School as their new principal. PHOTO/MARY PRITCHARD

Shrewsbury - Greg Palmer grew up in Brookline and worked in Canton for nine years, but the minute he walked into the Spring Street Elementary School, he was at home.

"It was evident from my first visit, when I was just a guy applying for a job, what a warm and welcoming place this was," Palmer said. "Everyone I've met here - then and since - have been fantastic. The search committee, the parents, the students, they've all been great. It's such a wonderful community to be a part of."

Palmer replaces former Principal Jane Lizotte, who has moved over and become principal at Sherwood Middle School. At Sherwood, Lizotte replaced Dan Costello, who left and has become a high school principal in Connecticut.

Palmer, whose first day at Spring Street School was July 2, graduated from Boston University in 1990 with a bachelor's degree in journalism. He received his master's degree in education in 1994 from UMass-Boston. He has been certified by the state of Massachusetts Department of Education to be a principal, was well as an instructional technology specialist and superintendent.

His teaching career began in 1993 in Mattapoisett as a sixthgrade teacher. From 1994 to 1998 he was a fifth-grade teacher in Newton, where he also served as an empowering multi-cultural initiatives trainer.

Beginning in 1998 Palmer served the Canton Public Schools as director of educational technology. In September he was named Canton's director of curriculum, instruction and technology.

Palmer served as an adjunct professor at the Massachusetts Graduate College of Education from 1996 to 2003.

Dr. Anthony Bent, Shrewsbury School Superintendent, said part of what made Palmer a viable candidate was the fact his vast background includes teaching and administration. In Bent's opinion, that experience allows Palmer to have a broader view of the workings both inside and outside the school, especially as it relates to the needs of parents.

Bent said he believes Palmer will be a collaborative leader who realizes that Spring Street School is a wonderful school that just needs a firm hand to direct it, not a complete overhaul.

Palmer agreed, saying his style is one of teamwork, not that of an iron-fisted ruler.

"I'm interested in addressing student needs and meeting them, not who gets credit for it," Palmer said. "My job is to work with staff members on the best way to move the education process forward and then facilitate that move."

Palmer likes many aspects of his new position, including a much shorter commute. He lives in Framingham with his wife, Laura, and the couple's two young daughters - 2-yearold Olivia and two-month-old Avery.

Palmer, like many of the kids he oversees, was excited about the Aug. 28 start of school. He began and ended that day like he plans to begin and end each and every day of the school year.

"I'm going to be out front greeting them when they walk in the door and when they leave I'll be out there telling them to have a great night and that I'll see them tomorrow," Palmer said. "In between I'll visit them in their classrooms and be very visible."