Matthew Gilbert was an instructor at Livermore Falls High School.
LIVERMORE FALLS – A return to Livermore Falls Middle School is something of a homecoming for Matthew Gilbert, who was named principal of the school at the SAD 36 Board of Directors meeting Thursday night.
Gilbert, currently assistant principal at Mountain Valley High School in Rumford, is a former teacher at Livermore Falls High School and resides in Jay. He was one of 15 candidates for the position of LFMS principal.
“I feel this position is a perfect fit,” said Gilbert at the Thursday meeting following his nomination by Superintendent Terry Despres and appointment by the school board. “I am committed to the community and to making this school a better place.”
Gilbert said he does not plan any major overhauls but wants to tweak existing programs and support initiatives already under way.
“The school has the foundation for success already in place,” he said, crediting teachers, a supportive board, a superintendent with vision and positive parents and students for the district’s strength.
The new principal has four main goals: establish high academic standards consistent with the Maine Learning Results, implement instructional practices that reflect the middle school model, improve the adviser/advisee system and generate greater community involvement within the school.
Although his contract does not begin until July 1, Gilbert will be in the school Wednesday to attend an in-service day. He hopes to be able to spend additional time there before his official duties begin.
A graduate of Jay High School, he received a bachelor’s degree in special education from the University of Maine at Farmington and earned his assistant principal certificate from the University of Southern Maine. His master’s degree in education is from the University of Maine.
His teaching experience has been at Goodwill-Hinckley, Winthrop High School and LFHS. He has served in his present position for the past three years.
Recalling his positive experiences in the school as a teacher, Gilbert told the board he plans to apply a progressive and student-centered educational philosphy.
“I’m excited, there are a lot of changes coming in, I’m going to have to learn a lot,” Gilbert said.
Despres said Interim Principal Tom Rowe will act as mentor for Gilbert.
The son of Paul and Jean Gilbert of Jay, he and his wife, Kelly, a teacher in Canton, have two sons.
cbriggs@sunjournal.com
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.