This summer, Assistant Principal Matt Dieckhaus, who was responsible for the Junior Class, was named the new Individualized Learning Center (ILC) Director, leaving an administrative opening.

Language Arts Department Chair Colleen Fields was appointed to the position, but that led to some shuffling of administrators. Fields took over the Freshman Office, moving Assistant Principal Mandy Lewis to sophomores and Assistant Principal  Kirti Mehrotra to juniors.

“Since this is a new job for me, my priority is to learn as much as I can from as many people as I can,” Fields said, “I’m very proud to be continuing my career at a school I love.”

She has taught language arts for 13 years.

Fields said she is lucky to continue her job at the school, because she already knows the staff members.

“I know how great people are and what their strengths are and so I know how to find people for help if I need it,” she added.

Another advantage Fields said she has is that she’s familiar with the school and its goals and expectations for the students.

“I understand where we’re going, in terms of helping students, getting better with practices and making sure students are learning everything they need,” she said.

With her new position, Fields plans to help the Freshman Class as much as possible this year.

“I am committed to assisting our new students in finding success both academically and personally,” she said. “Freshman year is crucial in beginning a trend of success for the next four years, so my work is to find ways to encourage our freshmen to achieve their goals.”

“I think Ms. Fields’ biggest asset and most admirable qualities is that she always puts kids first,” Associate Principal Nisha Patel said. “You have to make sure the freshmen are being taken care of, and make sure they feel welcome and Ms. Fields’ strengths play right into that.”

Patel added that Fields was given the freshman principal position, instead of the junior position, to play to her strengths.

“Mr. [John] Shaughnessy looked at everyone’s strengths on the administrative  team and what was needed at certain grade levels. It just fit that everyone now at their grade levels are able to build on their strengths.”

As a former language arts teacher, Fields had one additional goal for her new position.

“My passion is to help teachers in all content areas integrate more literacy events into their everyday lessons, she said. My personal goal is that every student who graduates from LHS is a strong reader and proficient consumer of information.”