Principal of Woodville School To Resign At the End of This School Year

Effective as of June 30, 2011, Principal of the Woodville Elementary School, Brian Middleton-Cox, has resigned his post in Wakefield, he announced on March 17. As of July 1, 2011, he has accepted the position of principal of the Cole School in Boxford, MA.

Middleton-Cox said that although he loves the students, families and community of Wakefield, his decision to leave the Woodville School was mostly based on the professional development opportunities he would receive at the Cole School – and an easier commute from his North Andover home.

“Primarily, it was around the use of educational technology,” Middleton-Cox said. “That was the biggest thing, that they are doing some great things with technology in that district,” he said.

Hired in 2008, Middleton-Cox has served as the Principal of Woodville High for the last three years. Prior to coming to Wakefield, he taught elementary school and served as a math coach before completing his principal preparation program through the Northeast Consortium of Staff Development and Salem State College in 2008. He received a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA.

Moving on
Principal Middleton-Cox said the people of Wakefield are what he will miss most in leaving the Woodville School.

“The teaching staff is wonderful here, and so supportive of the kids and their families, and the students themselves have been just wonderful,” he said. “With my news, I’ve had so many kids come up to me and say how they’re going to miss me and ask me, can’t I stay?  They are just adorable and make the school a special place to come to work each morning.”

Legacy
In his three years as principal of the Woodville School, Middleton-Cox said he hopes the legacy he leaves behind centers around creating a caring, compassionate environment for students and staff.

“That’s what I try to do in all of my interactions with everyone, so I hope I’ve left that for people,” he said.

 A willingness to try new things for both the staff and the students is another area in whch he said hopes to have had an impact.

At the March 22 Wakefield School Committee meeting, several members of the school committee expressed their gratitude to Middleton-Cox for the job he’s done at the Woodville School over the last three years.

“He will definitely be missed, he’s been a great principal,” “I’ve had the chance to do some work with him and its always been a pleasure,” said School Committee member Lisa Butler. “He’s a great presence and I’ve heard so much positive feedback from the parents in the community about the great things he’s done. He will be missed and I’m sure he’ll go on and do great things for Boxford,” she said.

“Brian’s legacy in Wakefield is documented in the achievements his students have made,” said Superintendent Joan Landers. “He created a respectful culture at the Woodville School, he has an unbelievable relationship with his staff, and he’s been able to make his vision come alive.”

Landers said that in the coming months, she and Middleton-Cox will be working on a transition plan and finding a replacement. Dr. Kim Smith, principal of Wakefield Memorial High School and Beth Yando, principal of the Dolbeare School, will be leading a search committee.

“Congratulations to Brian – I’m going to miss him professionally, and I will also personally miss him. I hope that we will continue to be colleagues and that we meet again someday,” Superintendent Landers added.