Tom Smith

GORHAM —Tom Smith, a Village Elementary School teacher, steps up in July as the new middle school assistant principal, succeeding the retiring Susie Hanley.

The School Committee on April 11 appointed Smith to the assistant principal middle school post. Superintendent Heather Perry said Smith’s appointment will become effective July 1.

Smith’s salary will be $94,127.

Smith, 42, who lives in Gorham, is a third-grade teacher, who has taught at the Village School for seven years.

Succeeding Hanley, 62, won’t be an easy assignment. She’s a veteran educator and has chalked up 13 years as assistant principal at the town’s middle school.

But he brings plenty of experience to the position. Smith, who attended Saint Joseph’s College in Standish, previously taught grades 6 and 8 at Bonny Eagle Middle School in Buxton.

He cited getting to know the staff, students and parents at the middle school as his biggest challenge as assistant principal. “These relationships play an important role in our students’ success,” Smith said.

Bullying has become a nation-wide issue in schools and Smith weighed in on it this week. “Since I currently teach at the elementary level, I can only comment on that,” he said. “Our district has a solid bullying policy in place that includes investigating every reported incident of bullying and dealing with it on a case-by-case basis.”

Referring to the elementary level, Smith said there is a great deal of discussion and programming around bullying recognition and prevention. “I hope to bring this awareness to the middle school, and build on the work they are currently doing there on this important topic,” Smith said.

Smith said he wants to serve in Gorham education because his wife is a Gorham High School teacher and their children are in Gorham schools. “In fact, one of the most important reasons we moved to Gorham was because we wanted a good education for our sons,” Smith said. “I believe Gorham has one of the finest school districts in the area.”

Hanley joined the Gorham School District with 10 years experience. She previously taught in alternative education, government education and private education at Waynefleet.

“Then I landed my kindergarten teaching position in Gorham,” she said. “I grew up here as an educator, and have been afforded many wonderful experiences over the 30 plus years I have worked for the Gorham district.

Her experiences have included that of a University of Southern Maine intern mentor and USM adjunct faculty member. She helped break new ground for the Gorham School District in an educational trip to China in 2006 with 400 educators from the United States, opening the door for a cultural exchange and a Chinese course at Gorham High School.

Hanley has an avid interest in art, producing paintings, sculptures, stained glass and mosaics. She’ll be busy in retirement.

“I plan to pursue formal training in restorative justice work given my experiences in schools and help others in different contexts,” she said.

Robert Lowell can be reached at 854-2577 or [email protected]