Monday, February 13, 2012

By Jack Shea
Published: June 18, 2009

Diane Gandy pays attention. In conversation, her eyes fix on the person talking, shifting only to identify sounds and movement around the lobby of the Chilmark schoolhouse where, until June 30, she is principal - head of school, in up-Island terms. Ms. Gandy will retire after four years of service to Chilmark's children.

This past Friday staff and children assembled in the Chilmark Community Center for Ms. Gandy's retirement party. Photos by Lynn Christoffers

After 34 years as an educator of small children, Ms. Gandy knows that children move fast and often in surprising ways. She has developed a second-nature ability to focus on the task at hand while monitoring her environment full of kindergartners through fifth-graders and a pre-school on premises.

But in its waggishly written annual report last year, the district also makes clear that administrating the shingled schoolhouse, home to 38 children, is a unique job: "Diane Gandy's multi-faceted role... includes even more than one might imagine is required of a leader of a small school housed in a building, the plumbing and heating systems of which are seemingly veiled in intrigue and mystery ... ."

A smiling Diane Gandy reflects on her four years as Chilmark's head of school. She will be retiring at the end of the month.

"No, it's not your typical job," Ms. Gandy says, smiling. "I get to fill in as a substitute teacher and custodian from time to time, and occasionally test the water - until Alan Wilder stepped up and volunteered to help." She points to a lanky, taciturn Islander working with vials and droppers at a table in the lobby. "It takes a village to raise a school," she adds, chuckling.

Clearly, this job has been a special experience for an educator used to the pace and challenges of big-city schools. Ms. Gandy spent more than 20 years of her professional life, teaching and administrating in Boston schools during the city's most turbulent educational period. Her career has included stops at The Blackstone School in the South End, The John D. Philbrick School in Roslindale, middle schools in Roxbury and South Boston and at the Clarence Edwards School in Charlestown.

In 2003, Ms. Gandy, who holds a master's degree in advanced education philosophy from Cambridge College, was faced with a life and career decision when she learned that Framingham was closing the Juniper Hill School where she had been principal for several years. "I always knew I would come here to live some day," the Roxbury native says. "I've been coming to the Island my entire life with my family. In 2002, my sister, Carol Sue Fuller, and I built a house in Oak Bluffs. Timing is everything. I had been a finalist for a principal's job here in 2004, so when the Chilmark job came open, I had some context with the district.

"I love this job but it's time to smell the roses, attend unread books, maybe even clean out the basement," Ms. Gandy says, noting that travel to Guam to see a new grandson is also a priority. "I'll do something else eventually, but for now, I want to enjoy the moment."

Ms. Gandy is diffident about discussing herself but becomes passionate about her hard-won education principles. Leaning forward, she says, "We're a good school. We do well in MCAS testing. One design doesn't fit all children. We have a project-based learning philosophy. That means it's hands-on, teaching kids to take ownership of their learning."

Education has been a continuing community effort in Chilmark with roots dating to 1663, and Ms. Gandy credits involved parents with Chilmark's successful education record. "It's important to see parents' perspective, to see what they are concerned with," she says. "We need that background and texture to help us shade the curriculum for children. The bottom line is: we want kids to be successful."

Proactive parents have even brought seminars on topical subjects, such as autism, to the school's attention in order to expand the educators' learning base. "We have to be able to recognize challenges kids have," Ms. Gandy says, "to know when it's occurring and find a resource to help."

That perspective is part of the sea change in education that Ms. Gandy has seen during her career. "The 1993 Education Reform Act included more testing, more accountability and more community and parent involvement, and collaboration is important," she says, noting the need to balance test scores and learning.

Ms. Gandy says that collaborative listening and communication skills have been the most important keys to her work in education, especially here. "This is an island of relationships."

Before her Chilmark School chapter closes, Ms. Gandy will work with Susan Stevens, the incoming head of school, to hand over the reins, the dust mop, and the Ph water tests.

Mr. Wilder finished his work and headed for the door. Looking at Ms. Gandy, he said: "Fair winds."

"And calm seas," she replied.

Jack Shea is a regular contributor to The Times.