Former Hopkinton Middle School teacher Lauren McDonough is the school’s new assistant principal.
PHOTO/JERRY SPAR

As a youngster, Lauren McDonough wanted to be a pediatrician and help children.

Rachel Ritchie played school with her brother, teaching and assigning homework.

And Cherie Kent played school in a makeshift classroom her father, who was a teacher, created in the basement using former school desks and bulletin boards.

Today, McDonough, Kent and Ritchie are the new administrators for the Hopkinton Public Schools.

McDonough shifts to HMS assistant principal

Lauren McDonough is a familiar face at Hopkinton Middle School, having worked as a teacher in all three grades for related arts, digital literacy, media literacy and sixth grade English since 2015.

Now the new HMS assistant principal, McDonough said she is excited to work with families in a different capacity. She comes to the position with an appreciation for the district and community.

“Hopkinton has the best families, the most hard-working students and greatest teachers,” she said, making it an easy decision to transition from teacher to administrator.

After receiving her undergraduate degree in English/creative writing, McDonough earned her master’s in education from Framingham State University with a focus on curriculum and instruction technology.

In addition, she completed 500 hours of coursework and an internship at HMS through the Massachusetts Schools Administrators’ Association Leadership Licensure Program this past year.

McDonough sees the role of assistant principal as a support person for students, providing guidance as they “navigate moments,” and as someone kids can trust.

Although middle school students sometimes are regarded as tough ages with which to deal, McDonough has a different view.

“I love how much growth happens over three years,” she said. “[Students] come in as children and leave as young adults. They grow academically and socially and are a fun group. … There are a lot of laughs and they are honest. They will tell you what they are thinking.”

Although she once considered a career in medicine, McDonough said, “Pre-med was not for me. The fact that I am still working with kids is awesome.”

Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh noted that parents will see McDonough “out front” more frequently, and she will interact with students in ways that are “developmentally knowledgeable, respectful and caring, while ensuring our young adults learn how to become productive citizens of our middle school and the greater community.”

Cavanaugh added, “Lauren embodies the middle school motto of ‘Growing an active community of strong minds and kind hearts.’ ”

McDonough, originally from Norwood, said her priority would be “setting positive, joyful energy for the new school year.” She noted, “In these first months, I will build relationships with parents and see what students and teachers need from me.”

Ritchie takes No. 2 role at Hopkins

Rachel Ritchie most recently worked as a second and fourth grade teacher in Newton schools for seven years after previously serving as a substitute in eight MetroWest schools.

She is the new assistant principal for Hopkins School.

Rachel Ritchie

A native of Miami, she earned an undergraduate degree in religious studies/psychology and a master’s in elementary education from the University of Pennsylvania. She also is licensed as an administrator.

“Hopkinton seems like a vibrant, growing community with a lot of changes going on and with the new building in the future,” Ritchie said.

The new Charleswood School will house Grades 2-4. That means fourth graders from Hopkins will move out and sixth graders from the middle school will move in.

Although Hopkins is dealing with space deficiencies until an addition/renovation project is finished, Ritchie said she is impressed with how the district is “still providing the best” for students.

Ritchie said her focus is on building relationships with students and staff and making sure their voices are heard.

She said she loved teaching at the elementary level, especially fourth grade, because the children are “growing in independence and building a sense of justice — becoming more aware and wanting to give back to the community.”

In her first few months on the job, Ritchie said she hopes to learn how to “best support students, staff, and families” as well as Principal Matt Cotter and fellow Assistant Principal Tanya Lamoureux.

Cavanaugh said she was impressed by how Ritchie “spearheaded work for staff and students in equity and cultural competency, which are initiatives here in Hopkinton, too.”

The superintendent praised Ritchie’s understanding of the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks for those grade levels and her expertise in teaching curricula based on those frameworks.

“This knowledge and experience will help her assume the role of an instructional leader at Hopkins,” Cavanaugh said.

She added, “One of the things I found most exciting about Rachel’s candidacy came in her cover letter, where she wrote: `The times I feel most energized, challenged and engaged are when I am meeting with colleagues to collaborate in service of students and the broader school community.’ ”

Kent to lead literacy efforts

Cherie Kent, the new director of literacy for pre-kindergarten through Grade 5, has 30 years of experience as an educator. She spent 15 of those years as an elementary school teacher, primarily in Worcester Public Schools, and 15 years holding various positions such as literary coach, curriculum and instruction leader and reading specialist in suburban communities.

She was literary coach and consultant for the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and director of literacy and Title 1 for the Wachusett Regional School District.

Cherie Kent

Most recently, Kent served as a facilitator at HILL for Literacy, a nonprofit consulting firm.

After stepping outside of public education for a few years, Kent said she was eager to get back to that environment because she missed the day-to-day interaction with students as well as building relationships with colleagues and families.

Kent said she is impressed with the dedication of the administrators and teachers she has met so far in Hopkinton.

“The people here are amazing,” Kent said. “Honestly, it sounds cliché, but I feel at home already. … Everyone is so welcoming.”

Although her office is based in the administration building, Kent noted she will be out at least three times per week as needed at Marathon, Elmwood and Hopkins.

Kent earned her master’s degree in school administration from American International College. She has a reading specialist license and did her undergraduate work in education at UMass Amherst and Fitchburg State.

Cavanaugh noted that Kent’s experiences at the state DESE and HILL for Literacy have given her “front-row seats in places where literacy curriculum and instruction development takes place.”

She also praised her long tenure in education, adding, “Cherie began her career passionate about teaching students to read in elementary grades, and she has devoted her life’s work to growing her ability to do that.”

The superintendent said Kent has expertise in “analyzing student learning data, both in the aggregate and at the subgroup levels.” Cavanaugh expects the new literacy administrator will be “publicly presenting information about Hopkinton’s work in expanding our reading curriculum and instruction.”