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A message from Retired Superintendent Nancy Gustafson
Published on Dec 4, 2020 15:12

Dear Millis Community, our Small School, Big Family-

Thank you so very much for the lovely tribute on my retirement yesterday, from the fire truck to the presence of many town officials, the messages sent via email, and those slipped into the basket during my “walk-about”! These, with our socially distanced students with signs, smiles, cards and cheers, along with the zooming in of students in Cohort B, brought tears to my eyes and are memories I will always cherish.

I am so grateful for our students, staff, families, School Committee, and community members, all whom have contributed to the success of the Millis Public Schools and made it possible for me and our team of educators and staff to build a culture in which we try to truly honor each student, know them well and help them uncover and develop their interests, talents, aspirations and character attributes to become curious, hard-working, caring and ethical youngsters who will make this world a better place. This has been a labor of love for me but also a true team effort. I have had the privilege of working with the finest group of educators and support staff that I’ve ever known in the 44 years I’ve been in the field of education. As a team, we worked as one.

 When asked if I’d consider applying for the Superintendency over 12 years ago, I realized that Millis is a special community and our “Small School, BIG Family” district was the perfect place to innovate by going deeply into a student-centered, personalized approach that focused on 21st c. skills, not test scores, to nurture curiosity and creativity as well as teamwork and problem-solving, to connect students with the big wide world and develop the character attributes that lead to fulfillment and success- things like hard-work and conscientiousness, and yes, GRIT, values that our families in Millis share and support as well.

 People have asked why I am retiring now, in the midst of one of the most challenging periods we've ever encountered in education. I had started planning to retire about two years ago due to the stress of the job and my age. The pandemic then hit and things got a bit busier and challenging but the School Committee engaged in an excellent process to choose the next Superintendent.  I KNOW, deeply and wholeheartedly, that Bob Mullaney is the best person for the job and will carry the district forward to a new level of excellence. Having worked with Bob for 13.5 years, I know him to be incredibly ethical, hard-working, caring, kind, collaborative, and focused on a vision that will serve Millis well.  He is the right person and this is the right time for him to lead.

 There are so many people to thank- everyone with whom I’ve worked over the years, who have been a part of the team, our Small School, BIG Family- ALL of our staff: teachers, tutors, paraprofessionals, custodians, dining service, transportation, administrative assistants and specialists, School Committee members over the years, our dedicated Millis Educators’ Association leadership, our most amazing Administrative Team, AND our fabulous students, whom we all are privileged to serve. This has truly been a team effort because we all believe deeply in the power and efficacy of teamwork. Thank you for allowing me the honor of serving the Millis Public Schools and our students. It has been an honor to be entrusted with the education and well-being of so many children and I am truly grateful for our Millis families and everyone who has helped to make these years in the Millis Public Schools such a fulfilling and wonderful experience. There is still much to tackle and improve upon but I know I leave it all in good hands, and more importantly, to people, all of you, with good hearts.

With much gratitude,
Nancy Gustafson

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