Ray Broderick
WESTFIELD – After graduating from Westfield State College, Ray Broderick began his career in education teaching at Westfield High School. This June, he will retire as principal of the school where he started out 34 years ago.
“I’m going to miss the kids and the staff,” Broderick said. “I’ll miss seeing the people who work with me.”
Broderick is set to retire June 29 and said he looks forward to spending time traveling with his wife Tina, a Westfield teacher who is also retiring this year.
“We plan to spend some time seeing the country,” he said. ” We plan to be at the Grand Canyon and visiting national parks this September, and hope to be in Aruba in February.”
Broderick said it will be a bit strange to vacation at a time when he is normally knee-deep in back to school excitement, but he can’t wait.
“I’m excited to take a vacation when it’s not summer break,” he joked.
Broderick reflected on his years at WHS, where he started teaching math. He said his mentors inspired him to become an administrator, including former principal George Wallace, assistant principal Angelo Ferroni and department head Tom Babinski.
“This is such a great place,” Broderick said of the school. “It’s not just a job, I look forward to coming to work every day.”
Broderick, the father of two adult children, said the students are also his kids, and they are the best part of his job.
“I just enjoy being around young people,” he said. “I love helping them mature and make life decisions.”
After teaching math at WHS from 1979-1988, Broderick took an assistant principal position in Monson. He also served as principal of Gateway High School and Granby Junior/Senior High School before taking the helm at WHS.
Broderick is a WHS graduate himself and said the school is is home. And while he looks forward to travelling, fishing and golfing, he will miss the school.
“It’s been a great run,” he said.
