MR. CHRISTOPHER ROCHE APPROVED AS NEW PRINCIPAL OF WELLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Post date: Apr 07, 2016 10:57:49 AM

Effective July 1, 2016, Christopher Roche will be the new principal leading the way at Wells Elementary School. At tonight’s meeting, the WOCSD School Committee approved Superintendent James Daly’s nomination of Christopher Roche to fill the position vacated by retiring principal, Marianne Horne.

Currently, Mr. Roche is principal at R.D. Seymour Elementary School in Connecticut. Prior to that he was principal for five years in Texas where he earned professional recognition on the Val-Ed Vanderbilt Principal Survey and Texas A&M Social Processes Survey. He began his career in education as an ed tech and then taught second and third grade before going into a leadership role. Mr. Roche attended Sacred Heart University, graduated with a degree in Psychology, and attended Texas State University for education.

Mr. Roche demonstrated the attributes the Wells Elementary School community sought – his outstanding leadership abilities as an innovative and intuitive leader with a primary focus on the whole child; collaborative and distributive leadership style using strong communication with a common vision; dedication to positive school culture and core values; understanding of the value of parents as partners; expertise as an instructional leader with a deep understanding of current standards, assessment processes and the use of data; experience with the implementation of technology into curriculum as a tool and resource.

Mr. Wayne Johnson, former Superintendent of Port Aransas, TX stated, “In my 50 years in education, Chris Roche is one of the brightest young leaders I have ever met. His depth of commitment, drive, and passion for students is incredible.”

The search process began in February with a faculty meeting and a Wells Elementary PTSA meeting in order to gather input from stakeholders about the attributes desired in a new principal. Two committees were formed of highly respected teachers, parents, a school committee member, and administrators. The selection committee met in February and again in March to review applications. The Committee chose five candidates, all with prior principal experience, to interview. After a round of highly qualified interviews conducted by a separate

committee on March 22 and 23, two names were forwarded to Superintendent Daly for an additional interview and campus tour. Mr. Roche emerged as the outstanding first choice to lead Wells Elementary School.

An opportunity for faculty, staff, students, parents and members of the community to meet and welcome Mr. Roche to the Wells-Ogunquit community has been scheduled for Tuesday, April 12. There will be a meet and greet for faculty and staff from 3:15-4:00. Parents are invited to Wells Elementary School from 4:15 until 5:00. Mr. Roche will then meet with the School Committee and Leadership Team at 5:30.