Tari Thomas believes her new role as interim lead administrator/coach at Athol Royalston Middle School is to take care of both students and staff as they begin the transition to a new leader.

Thomas was chosen for this position a week ago, following the news that ARMS Principal Julie Stanley would become the district’s board certified behavior analyst, working with students across all grade levels.

Thomas, who had retired following 40 years in education, said she’ll be continuing the work done by Stanley until the end of June, along with working with the assistant principals to grow internal leadership capacity. Meanwhile, the district will proceed in the process of finding a new principal later this year.

This will be Thomas’ first time working in Athol, and one thing she’s seen is how much the people care for the children.

“It’s not a catch phrase, not something everybody says—they truly mean it,” she said. “Not just the staff, not just the parents—the entire community.”

Helping during a transition period

In addition to her work in education, Thomas is a coach for the New Superintendent Induction Program for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the state’s Association of School Superintendents. It’s through this that she met Athol Royalston Superintendent Matthew Ehrenworth, who requested she take on this role. Losing a principal that was so well-liked can be difficult and make people apprehensive, said Thomas, and she hopes to help during this time.

“It’s kind of an honor to take care of them during this transitional time,” Thomas said.

Over the years, Thomas has worked with almost every grade level. She said the unique aspect of middle school students is they are still figuring out who they are. As a result, they seek more independence, but also want positive attention from adults.

“They (the students) may not look like it all the time, but they want adult approval and positivity from those around them,” said Thomas.

Thomas has been a teacher, principal and superintendent, including nine years at the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School. There, she was assistant superintendent and superintendent. In a letter to parents, she spoke of how the principalship has been her favorite role.

“At its heart it’s all about creating and sustaining a school environment in which each student is accepted and valued, trusted and respected, cared for and encouraged to be an active and responsible member of the school community,” she wrote.

In speaking with the Athol Daily News, Thomas added that schools are under the charge of continuous refinement and sees the duty as taking care of the staff so they can take care of students.

What makes a good leader, Thomas said, is the ability to forge relationships and create positive communication, from which anything is possible. Instruction and learning come from all this, she added, and for leaders, the relationships are about caring for and believing in the children.

“I think it’s because I truly admire teachers and their repertoire for instructional practices,” she said. “I love the way that each and every one is different.”

Max Bowen can be reached at 413-772-0261, ext. 265 or at mbowen@recorder.com.

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