Assistant Principal Ms. Laura Theis explained how she stepped into her current administrative role and what her job means to her.
“I always knew I wanted to teach,” explained Theis. “I have always loved school. I loved going back to school. I always knew I wanted to be in schools.”
What many students do not know is that Theis originally joined this school as a Spanish teacher. After the pandemic hit in 2020, she was presented with a thrilling opportunity: to become an assistant principal. Stepping up to this role would allow her to widen her scope of influence at the school, but would come with many tough responsibilities. So, what motivated Theis to make her final choice?
“I think a lot of that goes to my desire for lifelong learning,” she explained. “I got my master’s degree in education, and I decided I wanted to keep learning something. I was like, well, now what?”
In 2019, Theis earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish and Secondary Education at Stonehill College, as well as a Master of Education in Spanish from Framingham State University. While she was planning to teach Spanish for a long time, her desire to learn about students and studies beyond the academic world pushed her forward. Following the job offer, Theis took on an admin internship. In 2020, she earned her degree in Administrative Leadership at Endicott College.
“As an administrator, I thought about how we have a greater scope of influence. I get to know so many more kids in other ways,” Theis said.
The beginning of the pandemic was quite a difficult time for everyone at the school, including the school staff. The rest of the administrative board felt that having a second assistant principal would be extraordinarily helpful in getting matters organized. However, the perfect fit would have to meet a lot of criteria.
“[This role] is difficult to hire,” Theis explained. “They needed somebody that knew the school, knew the staff, and knew a lot of the students. So, I could help out in a way that first year.”
Theis does not have to look far for support and inspiration when it comes to being an administrator. She admires her fellow assistant principal Pominville for his thoughtfulness and principal Bishop for his amicability. She aspires to emulate those same qualities
“I appreciate both of them for giving perspectives that they provide while also really listening to and centering students in all conversations,” Theis said.
Not long into her new job, Theis realized just how much she loved being an administrator. What was originally a temporary position soon became permanent. Four years later, neither her role nor her sentiments have changed.
“It really just was my desire to get to know more about the school,” said Theis, explaining her philosophy. “You know, I love this place. I’d already been here for eight years. How can I make this the best place for these students in front of us right now?”
