Broad Rock Middle School's Unsung Hero

Parents and caregivers who have dropped their children off at Broad Rock Middle School in the morning are familiar with the warm smile and welcoming words of Principal Sheila Sullivan. 

She and Vice Principal Jennifer Enck, teacher assistants Robert Cruz and Ann Marie Rivard have been out in front of their school daily for months while a new drop off system was being implemented.  Even when temperatures dropped to the single digits, Sullivan and her team of traffic directors were outside ensuring the safe and smooth transfer of the students from their cars to the school.

When asked why she did not delegate such an unpleasant assignment to another employee, Sullivan seemed surprised by the premise of the question and said she enjoys welcoming the students and saying hello to the parents.  

She also added she would never assign a task to someone if she was not willing to perform the task herself, and felt that the time of the other teacher assistants - who would have filled her role - was better spent inside the school with the students and the teachers as they prepared for the day. 

Sullivan began her education career as a lover of mathematics, but also a music aficionado.  She received her undergraduate degree from Rhode Island College in speech theater and secondary education, and later added a counseling degree from Providence College.  Before coming to South Kingstown 10 years ago, she worked for the North Smithfield School District.  She served as a guidance counselor at Broad Rock for two years before being selected to become Principal.

Though Sullivan begins her workday at 7 a.m., she is often in the office long past 7 p.m. “I’m Lucky to have a supportive husband”, she said of former South Kingstown High School Principal Kevin Sheehan.  Yet those hours pale in comparison to her longest day: a marathon that lasted till 2 a.m., when she and another administrator were working on scheduling. 

Despite her commitment, Sullivan dismissed the notion that her efforts were out of the ordinary.  “You stay until the job is finished,” she said.  “I believe during the school day it is important for me to be there for the students and the teachers.  That’s what works.”

Sullivan said her mother, also a teacher, instilled in her a strong work ethic. “[She] always spoke about the positives of her job,” Sullivan said.  She said she does not have much time for hobbies during the school year, but that she and her husband enjoy working together on home improvement projects around their home.  She proudly reported that they installed “77 bundles” of hardwood flooring as they were building their home and that she finds the work “very relaxing”. 

Tom Hogan, father of two students who have attended Broad Rock, is among the many supporters of Sullivan.  “She’s excellent,” Hogan said.  “She is very approachable and also responds to any inquiry or communication.” 

Sullivan sees involvement with the parents as crucial to the success of Broad Rock.  “There is an excellent community effort for this school,” she added. “CARES, the SK School Administration, the PTO and other parent groups, along with the parents are what make this a very unique and nurturing environment”. 

She referred to the efforts of so many as a “symphony”, and added that the school emphasizes support for all students in an effort to work in the best interest of each child. 

If Broad Rock Middle School is indeed a symphony as so many parents feel, the residents of South Kingstown are very fortunate to have such a talented, dedicated and caring conductor. 

The South Kingstown patch is looking for residents or employees whose extraordinary efforts often go unnoticed or under appreciated, yet are vital to what makes South Kingstown such a remarkable town.  Our goal is to shine a light on such people, the “Heroes Amongst Us” or “Community Heroes” who give of their time, talents and efforts for the betterment of the residents of our town.