Brookline's Pierce School Has A New Principal, Too

BROOKLINE, MA — The Pierce School has a new principal. Lesley Ryan Miller, who became the interim principal in August after Christine Kelley accepted a newly created assistant superintendent position elsewhere, will take on the new role, the Brookline Public School Superintendent announced Friday.

Andrew Bott described Ryan Miller as someone who led the faculty in school improvements and as someone who is focused on making the multi-building campus run smoothly.

"Teachers and families at Pierce know that Ms. Ryan Miller approaches all of her work with a student focus, ensuring that joyful learning is a part of every student’s experience," reads the email.

Parents took to social media to cheer the decision.

The announcement is one in a string from the Superintendent's office about who is taking the helm of schools after recent shakeups at Lawrence, Driscoll and Devotion.

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Here's the email:

"I am very pleased to announce Ms. Lesley Ryan Miller as the next principal of the John Pierce School. I selected Ms. Ryan Miller after a thorough public search process and after receiving thoughtful and supportive feedback from the Pierce Principal Search Committee, staff, parents, and guardians.
"While serving as the interim principal since August, Ms. Ryan Miller has prioritized instructional leadership, led the faculty in a robust school improvement planning process, and gained the trust of students, families, and staff alike. Additionally, she is focused on evaluating and strengthening the operational systems related to a multi-building campus. In a short time, she has already cultivated a school environment that encourages open communication with colleagues, students, families, community members and district leadership. I am confident that under Ms. Ryan Miller’s exceptional leadership the Pierce School will continue to thrive.
"Since joining the Public Schools of Brookline in 2016, Ms. Ryan Miller has been instrumental in the district’s work to build a strong collaborative culture at the district and school levels. In her interim role at Pierce and as Senior Director of Teaching and Learning, she has been an instructional leader, working to align and strengthen connections among educators, coordinators and principals. Educators and administrators who have worked with her over the past two years have witnessed, first hand, her exceptional collaboration and leadership skills. Most importantly, teachers and families at Pierce know that Ms. Ryan Miller approaches all of her work with a student focus, ensuring that joyful learning is a part of every student’s experience.
"Prior to joining the Public Schools of Brookline, Ms. Ryan Miller served in many capacities in the Boston Public Schools. She was a kindergarten, first and second grade teacher; she served as both a New Teacher Mentor and as Director of Teacher Development and Advancement; and she served as Director of School Supports. Ms. Ryan Miller holds a Master’s Degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education at Boston University.
"I would like to acknowledge the committed efforts of the Pierce Principal Search Committee and the many staff, parents, and guardians who participated in the search process. The involvement of so many dedicated community members made the search process a positive, collaborative, and successful one.
"Please join me in warmly welcoming Ms. Ryan Miller as the new principal of the Pierce School. We are thrilled that she will continue to lead the Pierce School and serve Brookline in this capacity."

-Photos by Jenna Fisher/Patch