Four quick questions with Gerald Yung, the new principal of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School:

What attracted you to Cambridge? What made you want to work here?

My family moved to Cambridge when I was in the 10th grade from Florida.  I love the diversity in Cambridge, and the multicultural celebrations.  Cambridge offers so many great museums, restaurants, coffee shops, and a big city energy with a small town familiarity.  I wanted to work at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School because of it’s diverse population, and the teaching and learning opportunities that arise from this strong, personalized, small, close-knit learning community, and the tremendous enthusiasm and knowledge from teachers, students, and parents around the school’s mission. 

 

What are some of the things that make you excited about leading the King School?

I am particularly excited about the school’s Chinese Mandarin Language Program, the Literacy Collaborate, and Expanded Learning Time.  I believe that these programs offer students a great opportunity to become leaders in an increasingly globalized world, achieve above grade level reading and writing skills, and to have more time for learning, especially project-based learning and portfolios.  I am excited about joining passionate educators and parents in continuing to make the school a place where learning, creativity, and research-based risk taking are fostered.

 

Tell us a little more about you and who you are. Married? Kids? What do you like to do when you’re not at work? What do you like to do for fun?

I’m married to my college sweetheart.  We also have a son, named Luke Gabriel, who is one month old.  He’s a handful of joy; he makes the most unusual cooing sounds and has ahead full of big curly locks.  I enjoy playing basketball on the weekends, and I love watching professional sports.  Even though I grew up in Florida, I had a Larry Bird and Roger Clemens posters on my bedroom wall.  When I have the time, I try to take walks in state parks.

 

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Did you always want to be an educator? What made you choose education as your profession?

As a child, I always wanted to be a pediatrician.  Our pediatrician was super friendly and he had a great office complete with salt-water fish, children books, and whimsical, comfortable furniture.  My senior year at college, I volunteered in a school in Atlanta, Georgia, and I felt an immediate connection at being able to help students develop and try to fulfill their dreams.  I’ve carried this with me as a teacher and principal; the mission of helping children keep their dreams alive, learn the skills, habits, and character necessary to do so, and develop supportive relationships.

CPS Announces Hiring of New Principals

Cambridge Superintendent Appoints Fiarman

Graham & Parks Alternative Public School Principal

 

 Cambridge Public Schools Interim Superintendent Carolyn L. Turk today announced the appointment of Sarah E. Fiarman as principal of the Graham & Parks Alternative Public School to be effective July 1, 2009.

 

Currently Interim Principal of the M. L. King, Jr. School in Cambridge, Ms. Fiarman is completing her doctorate degree in Administration, Planning, and Social Policy at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and holds an M.Ed. in Elementary Education from Antioch New England Graduate School, and B.A. degree from Stanford University. Ms. Fiarman has extensive experience as a staff developer, consulting teacher, teaching fellow, and researcher at organizations including the Harvard University Graduate School of Education, the Northeast Foundation for Children, and the Ohio Leadership Collaborative. She is a National Board Certified Teacher, and previously taught Grades 3-6 at the Cambridgeport School.

 

“Sarah Fiarman brings a unique perspective to the principalship, with deep expertise in both pedagogy and content. She has worked nationally with dozens of principals in a myriad of settings, including collaboration with our own principal team as part of the Cambridge Leadership Network under Dr. Richard Elmore. Sarah is highly energetic and passionate about social justice. Her deep understanding of instruction and how to implement professional learning networks will be valuable assets to the Graham & Parks School.  I look forward to having Sarah join our educational community in this new role,” said Dr. Turk.

 

In the forthcoming weeks, Ms. Fiarman will be meeting with members of the Graham & Parks Alternative Public School community and coordinating with retiring principal Barbara Boyle towards a smooth leadership transition.

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Cambridge Superintendent Appoints Yung

M. L. King, Jr.  School Principal

 

 Cambridge Public Schools Interim Superintendent Carolyn L. Turk today announced the appointment of Gerald Yung as principal of the M. L. King, Jr. School to be effective July 1, 2009.

 

Currently principal of the Seven Hills Charter Public School in Worcester, MA, Mr. Yung is a graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Education School Leadership Program and previously taught history in the Milton Public Schools. He holds an M.Ed. degree from Harvard, an M.Ed. degree in Middle School Social Studies from Lesley University, and a B.A. degree from Emory University in Atlanta, GA.

 

“Gerald Yung is an exceptional educational leader with a keen understanding of high expectations, a commitment to excellence, and a positive, caring, creative approach towards creating and sustaining inclusive and supportive learning environments for all students.  He very ably combines a strong educational vision with a proven capacity to encourage and listen to a broad range of ideas, and work to integrate those ideas into effective solutions.  His colleagues describe him as a well-respected peer and a warm, caring, trustworthy leader.  It is truly a pleasure to welcome Gerald to the Cambridge Public Schools leadership team,“ said Dr. Turk.

 

During the forthcoming weeks, Mr. Yung will be meeting with members of the King community and coordinating with Interim Principal Sarah Fiarman in the course of preparing for a smooth leadership transition.