Meet Jonas Clarke Middle School's New Principal

Back in May, Superintendent of Schools Paul Ash wrote that he was "pleased to inform" Lexington that Anna Monaco will be the next principal of . 

Her tenure as principal began July 1, and Monaco jumped into the principal's office at Jonas Clarke after having served as vice principal at the school for the past four years. Monaco's experience comes from 12 years as a special education teacher, with seven of those years spent in town. To kick off her career, Monaco taught at Winchester as an aid in their special education department before jumping to teach in North Reading.

Monaco is a Lexington resident and received a BA from Colby College and earned her Master's from Simmons College.

“I could not be more excited to start," Monaco said about the new position and starting the school year. "I'm very happy, a little nervous, and was not expecting the promotion, but with the sudden departure of Dr. Flynn for another administrative position out of the country, I was honored to take the position.”

The beginning of what Monaco described as her “dream job” will be spent, “getting used to [her] new role and building relationships with staff to create an environment were all kids can learn and be safe and grow socially, emotionally as well as academically.”

As a new principal, Monaco is dedicated to taking all the feedback she can from her “supportive” staff and community. “I want to work on communication whether using technology or being more direct, one of my major goals is to grow this communication so everyone, students, parents and staff are on the same page so we can engage students with new support systems," she said.

Concerning recent technological advances in the classroom at Jonas Clarke, like the 30 iPads afforded to the school, Monaco said, “things got off a little slow last year with the new technology," but the tech department is there to help and teach teachers how to use this new technology in the classroom.

"Teachers are finding more and more ways to use certain technologies and the kids seem really excited about it," Monaco said.

Monaco detailed that a Lexington Education Foundation grant will be bringing more iPads to Jonas Clarke, specifically to be used in the science department with added biology and other applications to foster more teaching opportunities. Monaco also explained that an unspecified amount of professional development at the Jonas Clarke will be devoted to learning how to navigate and expand curriculum with these cutting-edge tech tools.

As for upcoming events, Monaco explained she is “very excited” about celebrating Lexington's tercentennial celebration early September saying, “every school all over Lexington are planning different activities such as assemblies and incorporating our 300th celebration as a town into our curriculum, it will really be a year-long celebration.”

Added to her academic offerings, Monaco was kind enough to share some personal information.

She and her husband, Jeff, have four daughters ages nine, and seven, and twins who are four. Monaco has known her husband since they were at together. Monaco is also a running enthusaist who has competed in the Boston Marathan twice. Apart from this passion, she enjoys reading and going to the beach.

The school year kicks off for Jonas Clarke's new principal and all returning teachers and staff Tuesday, August 28.

Principal Monaco welcomes Lexington's feedback as she takes on this new position. For questions or concerns, contact Principal Monaco at amonaco@sch.ci.lexington.ma.us.