FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dr. Jay Badams, Superintendent
Phone: (603) 643-6050, ext. 2006
Email: jaybadams@sau70.org
NEW PRINCIPAL CHOSEN FOR MARION CROSS SCHOOL
Shawn Gonyaw Receives Broad Support From School & Community
Norwich, VT, April 3, 2019
At the Norwich School Board Meeting, on Wednesday, April 3rd, SAU 70 Superintendent, Jay Badams recommended, and the Norwich School Board unanimously approved, Shawn Gonyaw as the next principal of Marion Cross School.
“Timing is everything, and we are fortunate that Shawn Gonyaw was looking ahead to his next challenge as an educator at the same time that Bill Hammond decided he was ready to ‘pass the baton’,” said Badams. “Having visited the Barnet School and seen what a wonderful school culture and climate Mr. Gonyaw and his team have created, I am confident that Shawn is well prepared to build upon the great work that Bill and the Marion Cross School community have achieved during his tenure.”
An experienced and accomplished elementary teacher and administrator, Mr. Gonyaw has served as the Barnet School’s leader since 2010. During his 24-year career as an elementary educator, Shawn has taught in both regular and special education settings at multiple grade levels and earned National Board Certification in 2002. As an administrator, Mr. Gonyaw was recently honored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals as the Vermont Middle-Level Principal of the Year in 2018.
Norwich Chair, Tom Candon expressed thanks specifically to the members of the Principal Search Committee for their tireless efforts, but also to the entire Norwich community, many of whom came out to meet Shawn during his full-day interview at the school, for their support in the process. Candon also noted, “While we are all sorry to be bidding Bill Hammond farewell after seven extraordinary years as our principal, we look upon Shawn Gonyaw’s arrival with great anticipation and excitement for what he has to offer to the future of the Marion Cross School. Shawn has done some amazing work throughout his career as a teacher and administrator and has accomplished much in his last nine years leading the Barnet School.”
Mr. Gonyaw will officially take the lead role at Marion Cross on July 1, 2019, but he and Mr. Hammond have already begun working together on the important transition. Shawn said, "I am thrilled to become a part of the Marion Cross School community. From what I understand of the curriculum, culture, and community this is an excellent fit. My hope is to combine the excellence that already exists at Marion Cross with the expertise that I can bring in order to continue to create an environment where all kids thrive. I am thankful to Mr. Bill for working with me to make this a smooth transition."
