Assistant principal takes over for John Barone

By Jason Starr

The Colchester Sun

Being the only internal Colchester School District candidate for the job of Colchester Middle School principal had its advantages for Carolyn Dickinson. But it also put her in a constant evaluative spotlight.

The two-month interview process was extensive for each of the six final candidates. But for Dickinson, currently the middle school’s assistant principal, it seemed at times like all of her daily actions were under a microscope.

“It works both for you and against you in some ways,” she said. “Each interaction can be taken into consideration. But there’s also the benefit in that people know who I am beyond just the answers to the interview questions. I try to make sure what you see is what you get.”

“Carolyn is a great choice,” School Board chairman Dirk Reith said. “She’s had the benefit of three years of experience in the culture of the middle school. She has a clear vision of where to head and I think she’ll do very well in the position.”

Dickinson, an upstate New York native who came to Vermont during her graduate school education as an intern under Waters at Malletts Bay School, takes over for John Barone, who announced his resignation in January.

Barone spent five years in the principal’s office. Dickinson has been assistant principal for the past three. She was a teacher at Malletts Bay School for two years before that.

“I’m really looking forward to moving into a different position but working with the same colleagues, the same families and the same administration,” she said. “It’s a thrilling next step and there are lots of exciting things ahead.”

One of Dickinson’s initial areas of focus will be how the school’s atmosphere works for students. She will consider ways to give students “more control over what happens to them and more of a voice in the middle school,” she said.

She also will lead the school through a district-wide transition to “differentiated instruction” – a philosophy of teaching each student based on his or her individual interests and abilities.

“It really takes into account the individual learning style of each student,” Dickinson said. “There are aspects of it that teachers are already doing, but we’ll make it clear to students, parents and colleagues what it is and why it works.”

The school district announced the Dickinson hiring to faculty and administration last week. This week, middle school students will get the news. Dickinson plans to send an introductory letter to middle school parents as well, asking them to contact her with any questions, comments or concerns.

“I enjoy frequent communication with families,” she said. “My door is always open.”

“It’s a thrilling next step and there are lots of exciting things ahead.”

Carolyn Dickinson

New Colchester Middle School principal