New Principals Mark Changing of the Guard at Braintree Elementary Schools

Aside from extensive backgrounds in teaching and educational administration, Braintree's newest elementary school principals have one thing in common.

The students won them over.

"It's about the kids for me, it will always be about the kids, and the kids at Flaherty were fantastic," Stacey Soto said of her visit to the school during her hiring process.

Soto will take over as the principal of Flaherty Elementary School next year, replacing retiring principal Mary Struzziero. Ilana Bebchick will head Liberty Elementary School. Liberty Principal Dr. Joyce Radiches is also retiring.

Both principals were presented to the School Committee Monday night. They were selected by the administration with the help of separate search committees made up of school officials, staff and parents.

Soto, currently a principal in the Freetown/Lakeville Regional School District, is a graduate of Braintree High School. She went on to earn bachelor's and master's degrees from Stonehill College and the University of Massachusetts Boston and previously taught grades K-2 in Framingham.

"Once a Wamp, always a Wamp," Soto said.

Bebchick formerly taught fourth grade in Newton Public Schools before going on to work in Washington, where most recently she has been the Assistant Head of School at the Meridian School in Seattle. Bebchick earned a bachelor's from Tufts University and a master's from Boston University.

Dr. Joyce and Struzziero said they are going out to dinner with their counterparts Tuesday night. Both new principals will also attend PTO meetings at Flaherty and Liberty at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

"There has been a smooth transition from one principal to another," Superintendent Dr. Peter Kurzberg said.

Committee member Pam Kiley, addressing Bebchick, said she has "big shoes to fill" taking over for Dr. Radiches, who has been principal at Kiley's home school for many years.

"It's an honor and a privilege to have worked here," Struzziero said. "It's wonderful to look in the mirror and feel that you've contributed something positive."