For former assistant principal Ted McCarthy, it has been a busy past couple of months.

Last year, as the new principal position was filled, McCarthy began to search for an advance in his career. “I left South Hadley because I wanted to be a principal of a school,” he said.  “That was no longer an option at South Hadley.” An opportunity to become principal of Sutton High School was available, and upon applying and interviewing, McCarthy scored the job.

After eight years of working at South Hadley High, this was a significant change for the school, which, upon losing McCarthy, transitioned to a two-person administration, plus a dean of students. Pat Lemieux, current assistant principal, said, “We have had to redistribute teacher evaluations, and the caseload has increased a bit.” In the past, both a two-person and three-person administration has worked successfully, and the administration is optimistic it can make the adjustment. “It will be interesting to see how it works out, but it is working okay right now,” said Lemieux.

As for McCarthy, the process of getting acclimated to his new school has been smooth. “I’m really enjoying my new job.  The students and teachers here are great,” McCarthy said of Sutton.

The new setting has come with its own set of challenges. Sutton was without a school building for three weeks due to construction problems. s a temporary measure, classes were split up between a local church and an early learning center. “Despite these challenges, the teachers and students have really stepped up and made the best of an unusual situation,” McCarthy said.

Throughout the changes taking place, students and staff here in South Hadley said they will miss the admirable qualities of their former leader. For Tara Cole, a work-based learning teacher, McCarthy’s interest and attention in community service and interactions with students made him a positive figure in the school environment.

Lemieux said that as an administrator, McCarthy made decisions “based on what was best for students academically, as well as personally.”

From a student’s perspective, he was always a “source of positivity and energy,” said senior Pat Sears. He was often seen saying, “Good job by you!” accompanied with a thumbs-up, or fist bump.

As faculty and students continue their journeys without the guidance of their former assistant principal, McCarthy offers a few closing remarks: “I hope that you guys are pushing yourselves to be a little bit better each day – because that’s what school – and life – is all about.  Work hard to be the best version of you.”