Jen Parsons

Jen Parson, the new assistant superintendent for Hopkinton Public Schools, is feeling very fortunate to be back working for the district.

“Hopkinton has such an incredible sense of community,” she said in an interview with the Hopkinton Independent before the start of the new school year. “The support I have felt so far has been amazing.”

Parson was hired for the position in March and took over July 1 for Dr. Carol Cavanaugh, who replaced former Superintendent Dr. Cathy MacLeod who retired at the end of last school year.

Parson is a familiar face in the district, having served as principal of the Center School in Hopkinton from 2004 to 2011. She has been principal of the Lincoln Street Elementary School in Northborough since 2011. She has also worked as an assistant principal for the Israel Loring School in Sudbury and a grade 4, 5, and 6 classroom teacher in Natick and in Atlanta.

Having worked only with younger students for the past few years, Parson said that she was interested in having the opportunity to focus on instruction and learning across all grade levels. When the position for assistant superintendent for Hopkinton became available, Parsons said she was immediately interested.

“I had been working as a principal or an assistant principal for 17 years, and I felt it was time to explore opportunities to reach a large population of learners,” she said. “While I love working with children, I also love working with adults and on global issues that affect education.”

Parson holds a certificate of advanced graduate study in educational leadership from Bridgewater State University, as well as a master’s of education in curriculum and instruction with a focus on literacy from Lesley University. She received an undergraduate degree in elementary education from the University of Rhode Island.

Along with her work as an administrator, Parson has served on the School Committee for the Milford Public Schools for the past four years.

In her new role, Parson said she will be involved in many different aspects of planning and execution for the district.

“I see myself as a resource for supporting the needs of the schools and the vision of the district,” she said.

As for her short-term goals, Parson said, “I would like to be able to say at the end of this year that I have been a part of making headway into curriculum rollouts, especially in the area of math, and that I have partnered with principals and teachers to adapt curriculum for different learning.”

Parson said that a highlight of being back in the Hopkinton district is to be working among an administration team that has “amazing strength.”

“The admin team here is incredible. … Their ability to be reflective, their desire to look at areas for growth,” she said. “I am lucky to be working with such a focused group of people. This is a wonderful place to be starting the next chapter of my career.”