As the 2020–2021 school year came to an end, it was not only graduating seniors who said farewell but also several teachers and administrators. Some of the teachers measured their Harvard careers in decades, while one administrator had been here only two years. But all had helped bring the Harvard School District through this past tumultuous year of uncertainty, constant change, and challenges; and, as Superintendent Linda Dwight has often said, the pandemic did not close the schools for a single day.
Pierce led science department, started AP program
Deb Pierce started at the Bromfield School in 1989, teaching seventh-grade science and 10th-grade biology. She continued to teach biology for most of her 32-year career but sometimes branched out to teach chemistry classes. In the early 1990s, Pierce initiated the Advanced Placement program at Bromfield, bringing AP biology into the curriculum. She has also been the science department leader for many years.
Looking back, Pierce wrote in an email, “My most prized accomplishment was the renovation of the high school science classrooms—all five of them.” At the 2015 Annual Town Meeting, after Pierce described the need for better ventilation, more storage, and updated equipment, voters approved funds for the renovations by an overwhelming margin.
As for her post-retirement plans, Pierce wrote, “I plan to stay active in the community, especially with the Lions Club, spend time with my family, travel a bit, and see where time takes me.”
Tuttle taught kids to look at patterns in history
Sharlene Tuttle spent the first half of her 22 years in the Harvard schools teaching students in the elementary grades—kindergarten, third grade, and fifth grade. Then she crossed the street to Bromfield where, for the past 11 years, she has taught sixth-grade social studies. Although the curriculum focused on ancient civilizations, her classes also considered the long sweep of history. “We often looked at how history repeats itself and would also speak about any current events that would probably be making history,” Tuttle wrote in an email.
Her retirement plans include spending time with family, gardening, reading, cycling, and traveling to the Pacific Northwest and Norway. “I’m sure I’ll be busy!” she wrote. “I’ve truly enjoyed my time with the Harvard Public Schools. I’m grateful to the students, my colleagues, and the great leadership—especially this year!”
Niland becomes associate principal; Polizzi leaves for Arlington
Dori Polizzi, who has been associate principal at Hildreth Elementary School for two years, is leaving to become the elementary social studies coach in the Arlington schools. She will work with teachers and students to prioritize history and civics in the district’s seven elementary schools. In a farewell note to the HES community, Polizzi wrote, “I have loved being a part of the Harvard community and in particular the HES family.”
HES kindergarten teacher Melissa Niland joined the team to interview possible successors for the position Polizzi was leaving. In an email, Niland wrote her goal was to help the committee find a candidate who would stay in Harvard for a long time. When someone asked Niland if she would consider the associate principal’s position herself, she recounted: “I said ‘No way, because I love my job.’ I love teaching kindergarten!” But after thinking about it for a few days, she decided to make the change. Niland started teaching third grade at HES in 1997, later moved to first grade, and has been teaching kindergarten for the past 14 years.
In her email to the Press, Niland wrote: “I am extremely honored to have been chosen, and I am excited to work with [HES Principal] Josh [Myler], as I feel he has been an excellent leader for this school. I already have a relationship with the administration and staff and know the climate of our school, and I think that will help me jump right in and get started.”
Changes in art, math, and pupil services
At graduation ceremonies earlier this month, students recalled Bromfield art teacher Cynthia Harris, who retired after 20 years in the Harvard schools, as someone who inspired their creativity and was always kind and encouraging. She plans to return to her home state of Georgia, learn about beekeeping, continue painting, and travel.
Sharon Correnty, who has recently been teaching art in the elementary school, will return to Bromfield, where she taught for many years, to fill the position left open by Harris’ retirement.
Graduating seniors also honored Michael Desarro as “an exceptional teacher.” The retiring seventh-grade math teacher always helped students feel confident, they recalled. At an online site where students can rate their teachers, someone had left this piece of advice for those in Desarro’s classes: “Do your homework epicly.”
Marie Harrington, who has been director of pupil services in the Harvard schools for the past eight years, also retired this year. Harrington oversaw a department with a full range of services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, a behavioral analyst, and special education teachers at many grade levels. This spring, a state review of the district’s pupil services found the department fully in compliance with the state’s criteria. A nearly unanimous 97% of parents with children in the special education programs under Harrington’s direction reported that the school was welcoming for all students.
Editor’s note: The Press was not able to reach Michael Desarro or Marie Harrington by email and unable to confirm their post- retirement plans in time for this issue of the paper.
