SANFORD — She’s been a teacher and more recently, an assistant principal, and now Pam Lydon has been named principal at Sanford Junior High School.
Superintendent David Theoharides announced Lydon’s new job Monday afternoon.
Lyndon, in the teaching profession for 14 years, was chosen from a field of 18 applicants. She was one of four who were interviewed by a panel made up of school department personnel and a school committee member. Theoharides said the committee gave Lydon a unanimous endorsement.
Lyndon, who earned master’s of education degree in school leadership from St. Joseph’s College, takes the reins from former Principal Andrew Patin, who left for a new principal’s assignment at Windham Middle School. Patin had been principal at SJHS since 2012.
Lydon will be presiding over a school with about 650 students in grades 6-8.
She told Theoharides she wants to inspire and work with staff in a “resourceful and refreshing way.”
“With the many barriers that students can face, it’s essential for the school leader to drive the educational system to ensure they successfully achieve necessary tools to be a lifelong contributor of the 21st century,” she said in a prepared statement released by Theoharides.
Lydon has been a science and math teacher at Sanford Junior High School and later developed and operated an alternative education program at the school. She has been the school’s assistant principal for the past three years.
She told Theoharides that middle school students are unique by nature.
“In terms of psychological development they are transitioning from seeking primary approval and messages about themselves from their parents to their peers,” she said. “This leads to the eventual realization of self and internalization of the values in which they grow up with the goal of being able to make healthy decisions for themselves based on what they want in life.”
“I believe that taking a punitive approach is not best; however, a more restorative one helps give (students) the skills and tools they need to make more responsible choices,” she said. “I also strongly believe that middle school students need to be inspired; and by giving them some voice and choice, they feel empowered towards their education. As a leader of a middle school, I feel confident that I can provide ideas, advice, and resources that will aid in the success of the varying individuals of our student body.”
— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.
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