Finalist for Principal Job is 'Wonderfully Talented' and 'Hardworking'

Kristen Vogel, one of two finalists to become the new permanent principal at Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School, is "a wonderfully talented, hardworking educator whose love of learning is matched only by her love for children," her current boss said.

Bedford Superintendent Jon Sills told Bedford Patch, a sister publication to Hamilton-Wenham Patch, that Vogel has been an integral part of the Bedford Public Schools community since her first year in 2006.

"Versatile, resourceful, a big picture thinker with a terrific capacity for detail,
Kristen accomplishes every task with graceful efficiency," Sills said.

Sills said it will be hard to let such a key member of Bedford Public Schools go, but said he believes Vogel is more than qualified to be the principal of the Regional.

"As Bedford High School's assistant principal and the district's crisis team leader, Kristen will be sorely missed should another district have the good
fortune to hire her as its high school principal," Sills said.

Vogel has been an assistant principal at Bedford High School since July 2006 and also serves as the district's Crisis Team leader. She has also worked in the Swampscott Public Schools as an Assistant Principal, Curriculum Director and Teacher. She began her educational career as a teacher at the Governor’s Academy.

She has a Master’s of Arts in Teaching History from Boston College and a Bachelor’s Degree in History from St. Lawrence University. A photo of Vogel was not available this week.

Eric Tracy, the principal at Wilmington High School is the other finalist. An announcement of the two finalists was made by Hamilton-Wenham Superintendent Dr. Michael Harvey last Friday.

Both candidates will spend a day at the Bay Road school later this month and take part in a forum with the community in the evening.

Tracy will visit the Regional on Monday, Jan. 28 and Vogel will visit on Tuesday, Jan. 29.

During each visit, the finalists will each spend a day at the high school meeting with faculty, staff and central office leadership, Harvey said in his announcement.

Both visits will end with a session to meet with parents and the public at 5:30 p.m. in the music room at the high school. Afterward, everyone who attends will be asked to provide written feedback on the candidate.

Harvey will make the final pick but is soliciting feedback from students, faculty, staff, parents and community members. The person who gets the job will replace John Hughes, the retired principal of Natick High School who has served as the school’s interim principal for the past two years after Matt Fox left to become principal at Veterans Middle School in Marblehead.