THOMAS OSBORN
SOUTHWICK – Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional High School (STGRHS) Assistant Principal Thomas Osborn said every student deserves an excellent education.
With that in mind, Osborn is working hard on behalf of his students, whether it’s through curriculum, participating in a search committee, or cheering on students during a soccer game.
“We need to strive to meet students’ needs every day,” Osborn said. “Every child has a right to an excellent education.”
Osborn joined STRGHS last year after teaching English. Prior to becoming a teacher, Osborn worked in the world of journalism in his native New York. He said he has always enjoyed learning.
“I attended the Chaminade School, a private institution on Long Island, that helped shape my educational philosophy,” Osborn said. “I believe we should provide that (private) level of education in public schools.”
After several years working for Newsday in New York, Osborn returned to school to receive his master’s degree in education and began teaching English in New York.
“It was a wonderful experience,” he said.
It was while teaching that Osborn met his wife, who was originally from Massachusetts. When they wanted to settle down and start a family, they chose to move here. The couple has a new baby.
“I was an English teacher in Massachusetts and received my administrative certificate at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell,” said Osborn. “And here I am.”
Osborn sad he made the move to administration because he “wanted to make a bigger ripple in a bigger pond” and hopes to one day become a principal and possibly a superintendent down the road. He said he is enjoying his job and the community here.
“Southwick is wonderful,” Osborn said. “The kids here are ambitious and bring a lot to the table. There is an excellent staff, and an excellent principal.”
Osborn said he believes in being a life-long learner and said while students are learning, so is the staff. Osborn said Massachusetts schools attracted him because of the emphasis the state puts on education.
“Massachusetts is on top of the stack,” he said. “As far as education, our state holds our students to a higher standard.”
That standard raises some controversy, however, because parents and teachers have voiced concern that teachers can only teach to the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS). Osborn said he believes this is not true.
“We’re not simply teaching MCAS,” he said. “We have lots of other things going on. We have creative lessons in Shakespeare, math projects – all educators in the building are excited about their subjects, and that gets students excited, too.”
Osborn said he looks forward to the upcoming building project, which is his first.
“I’m excited about it,” he said, “It’s a wonderful opportunity and our students deserve the best.”
Osborn did say the school is “not just a brick and mortar building” and it is vital that teachers and administrators get involved in the school and its students outside the classroom.
“I call things like sports and plays ‘co-curriculars’ because they go along with the academic curriculum to create well-rounded students,” said Osborn. “My goal is to produce well-rounded, 21st century learners.”
