Jonathan Scagel will be the new principal of Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center beginning August 16. (PHOTO SUBMITTED)
WESTFIELD – Jonathan Scagel of Hatfield has accepted the position of principal of the Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center beginning on Aug. 16.
“Mr. Scagel’s commitment to a ‘students first’ philosophy in all decisions was prevalent in his meeting with me and is evident in his work at Pioneer Valley Regional School District,” said Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski. He added, “I believe that with over twenty years of special education experience as a teacher, Mr. Scagel truly understands the inclusive practices at Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center.”
“I’m very excited. I’ve worked with all ages, and I really enjoy working with the younger students. It’s important to build those foundational skills at an early age,” Scagel said.
Scagel has been superintendent for the four-town Pioneer Valley Regional School District in Franklin County for the past three years, after serving as special education teacher and transition skills program supervisor in the district for one year.
Altogether, Scagel has been an educator for 27 years, 24 as a special education teacher working in the Hadley, Springfield and Northampton public schools, LPVEC Career and Technical Education Center, and Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School.
“I look forward to cultivating and maintaining unified relationships with all stakeholders to achieve common goals. I am a dedicated student advocate; continuously fostering, nurturing and maintaining a safe, positive and respectful learning environment conducive to academic success,” Scagel said.
Scagel received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UMass Amherst. He is currently enrolled in a School and Leadership Management Certificate Program at Harvard University. He lives in Hatfield with his wife and two sets of twins ages 15 and 13.
“I was very excited that the superintendent is giving me this opportunity,” Scagel said, adding that Czaporowski has a strong reputation in the state as a superintendent for “thinking outside the box. I’m excited to be working for him.”
