St. Mary’s High Schol Principal Matthew Collins, center, is flanked by staff and students Nov. 23, all wearing shirts in recognition of “Principal Collins Day.” (HOPE E. TREMBLAY/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
WESTFIELD – St. Mary’s High School Principal Matthew Collins starts each day with a staff prayer, greets his students by name and can often be found doing work at the school on weekends.
Since he took on the role of principal two years ago, Collins has spearheaded major changes – from helping the high school remain open at a time when the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield had decided it would close, to making it the premier Catholic High School in the area, creating a university schedule and leading the change in the curriculum to focus on The Great Books. Not the least of his accomplishments is reopening the school for in-person learning during a pandemic after battling COVID himself.
In recognition of his hard work, which his staff said he makes seem almost effortless, the staff and students of St. Mary’s dubbed Nov. 23, 2020 “Principal Collins Day.”
The electronic sign at St. Mary’s Parish Nov. 23, 2020 thanks St. Mary’s High School Principal Matthew Collins in honor of “Principal Collins Day.” (HOPE E. TREMBLAY/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
St. Mary’s Kim Jaszek said she wanted to honor Collins after watching him calm a student having a rough day recently.
“This student was in trouble; having an emotional day,” Jaszek recalled. “After talking with Matt for 10 minutes the student was laughing and calm and ready to go back to class. It occurred to me that he has made a huge difference in this building.”
Jaszek said Collins is the perfect leader for the school.
A St. Mary’s Elementary School graduate and St. Mary’s High School Class of 1992, with a Master’s Degree in both Special Education and Educational Leadership, Collins brought over 20 years of experience with him to St. Mary’s High School. He left his position as the assistant principal at Hampshire Regional High School in Westhampton and returned to St. Mary’s High School as principal July 1, 2018.
“He handles everything that comes his way and has changed the environment in the building and made people love it again,” Jaszek said. “People can stop into his office at any time He brought new life, new belief, trust and hope.”
“He made it fun to come to work,” added Director of Guidance Jen Gomes.
Jaszek said when Collins took the position, he gave up a lot, but he doesn’t see it that way. For him, it’s a dream come true to lead his alma mater into the future.
“There’s one story that he always tells… Before he became principal, he had a dream he was the principal at STM. He woke up and said ‘I had that dream again that I’m the principal.’ This happened a few times before the opportunity came up,” said Collins’ wife Lynn, a second-grade teacher at St. Mary’s Elementary School. “He’s always wanted to ‘come back’ to STM, but we always thought it wouldn’t happen for a variety a reasons. When the opportunity came up for me, obviously I took it. He kept having the dream and again would say, ‘Lynn. I had the dream again.’ When the opportunity came up for him, he went for it and the rest is history.”
Lynn Collins said going to work isn’t work for Collins. “He LOVES this place and pours his heart and soul into STM. And it’s not just the high school — he is dedicated to the entire campus from preschool to grade 12.”
For that, the St. Mary’s family is “grateful and thankful” as their T-shirts stated Monday. Students and staff all sported tan t-shirts with a caricature of Collins, read testimonials over the loud speaker and enjoyed green and gold cupcakes.
Collins said Monday he was very surprised. Even his wife and five children kept the secret.
“I didn’t know anything until we had our morning staff prayer and everyone was wearing their shirt,” Collins said.
Touched by the recognition, Collins stepped outside to shed a few tears before starting the school day. Then he saw the students wearing the shirts and was overwhelmed.
“I don’t know what to say,” he said. “I usually spend my day celebrating others – it is really nice to be celebrated.”
