Greer Tapped to Head World Languages/ELL Programs

Following a restructuring of the job description, a veteran French teacher has been tapped as the school district’s new world languages supervisor. 

David Greer, who has taught at Westfield High School and both intermediate schools, was formally appointed to the post last week by the Board of Education. He will assume the job after the school year ends on Thursday.

“He has been a very active teacher,” Schools Superintendent Margaret Dolan said. “He has helped us with our new teacher institute.”

Dolan said the post Robert Roth is leaving is being reconfigured as Greer takes over. She said in addition to Roth’s role overseeing foreign language instruction from kindergarten to high school seniors, Greer will also oversee the English Language Learners program in the district. She said the decision was made to move the ELL coordinator’s part time post into the world languages job to promote efficiency.

According to his LinkedIn page, Greer is a graduate of LaSalle University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Education and French. He has also studied at the Université de Fribourg in Switzerland and Université du Québec à Chicoutimi in Canada. He has also studied at Rutgers, according to his LinkedIn page.  

Greer has been a French teacher in Westfield since 2002. In addition to his French duties, he has also been an ELL teacher in the district. He was part of last year’s steering committee, which helped draft the school district’s new strategic plan.  

In April, Greer addressed the BOE as part of a received by the board regarding a grant funded program for ELL students geared towards teaching American culture. During the presentation, Greer said the grant allows for teachers to take students on field trips to nearby historic sites during the summer program.  

Dolan said the world languages post was filled following a search headed by Assistant Schools Superintendent Anita O’Neal and human resources director Barbara Ball. As part of the search process, Dolan said O’Neal and Ball were pleased with one area Greer stressed.  

“He sees the potential for technology in education,” Dolan said.  

Greer briefly took the podium following his appointment to thank the board. “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the board,” he said.

“It has been a pleasure to teach in this district. I am looking forward to getting to work.”