Natick has selected a new high school principal from among three finalists
NATICK — Natick High School has a new principal.
On Monday, Superintendent of Schools Anna Nolin announced that Josepha Blocker will take over as principal at the high school. She is currently interim principal at Newton South High School and dean of its Cutler House.
"Josepha's deep instructional experience and her work in addressing achievement gaps by making instructional changes to drive equitable achievement and personalize learning will further strengthen Natick High School,” Nolin said in a press release. “In addition, her experience creating small, connected house/team environments within a large high school in her current high school leadership role will also support and refresh ongoing efforts to do the same work for our high schoolers."
Blocker replaces Brian Harrigan, who left last year to become head of the Francis Parker Charter School at Devens. Dean of Students Jason Hoye has served as interim principal since that time.
According to the release, Blocker was chosen after a search process that included virtual and in-person interviews with a committee comprised of staff members, parents, students and a school committee member, as well as taking part in a community forum with parents and other community members.
She was chosen over two other finalists — Holliston High School Principal Nicole Bottomley and Elizabeth Zajac, who is K-12 director of world languages for Needham Public Schools.
Interim principal:Dean of Students Jason Hoye will lead Natick High School in 2022-23
Blocker's background
Blocker started her education career in 2002 as a math and computer science teacher at Newton North High School. She also served as a class adviser, assistant housemaster and ran a professional development program for the math department on using technology to support math pedagogy.
She left Newton in 2007 to become dean of students at Cambridge Rindge & Latin School, while teaching graduate level courses at Simmons University.
Blocker returned to Newton in 2008 to start as dean of Newton South's Cutler House.
"In addition to her direct work with students, Ms. Blocker’s work at Newton South focused on school safety, building student communities, facilitating data-driven decision-making and providing teacher professional development on a myriad of topics," the release stated.
Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date news, follow him on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Natick High School principal names Josepha Blocker as new principal
