Wescott Junior High School Principal Martha Corkery has resigned her position to take a new position in the education department at the University of New England.

Corkery has been principal at the junior high school for the past three years, and she said she will be joining the university as the coordinator of graduate programs. In addition, Corkery, a 1974 graduate of Westbrook High School, said she would have some teaching duties as well as overseeing the development of curriculum for the university’s graduate program in education.

In her resignation letter dated May 13, Corkery said the new opportunity was too good for her to pass up. “When I accepted this position (at Wescott), I fully expected to remain here for a longer period of time,” Corkery said. “I was thrilled to be coming home to Westbrook. However, having been presented with a unique position where I can provide leadership for the graduate programs and teach at the University of New England, I feel I must accept this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

School Superintendent Stan Sawyer said Corkery was well-liked by the students, parents and the staff and the school system would miss her. “Martha’s done a very good job for us,” said Sawyer. “She provided good leadership.”

Corkery said she was pleased with what she has been able to accomplish during her three years at Wescott. She said the school was just awarded a $50,000 grant from the state to help support the school’s staff with professional development.

Another recent accomplishment was Wescott’s recent inclusion on the state’s top 10 priority list for new school construction. Sawyer said Corkery played a key role in the success of that project placing so high on the state’s list. “She was very instrumental in getting as high as we did on the priority list for the new junior high school,” Sawyer said.

Corkery said she would miss the staff at Wescott and she would miss working with the students on a day-to-day basis. However, she said she believed that in her new position she would be able to still have an effect on students’ lives by helping teach their future teachers at the University of New England. “It’s going to be hard letting go in some ways,” Corkery said. “But I think that (my new job) is another way of supporting education.”

While he said he wished Corkery success in her new position, Sawyer said he would have liked to see her stay in Westbrook. “I’m going to miss her,” Sawyer said. “I’m really sorry to see her leave.”