STACYVILLE, Maine — One local school district’s loss will be another’s gain as a long-time educator in Houlton’s RSU 29 district is slated to become the next principal for Katahdin Middle-High School.
Heather Mitchell is expected to be named the newest high school principal for Katahdin when its school board meets Sept. 22. She takes over the position from Shelley Lane, whose last day with Katahdin was Thursday, Sept. 15.
Mitchell’s first day as principal at Katahdin will be Sept. 26. RSU 89 Superintendent Marie Robinson will fill the role until Mitchell is able to begin her new position.
“I had not originally begun my professional journey with the goal of becoming a principal,” Mitchell said. “I have over 20 years of classroom experience and have been afforded many positive leadership opportunities in RSU 29 that led me to this path. I am excited to share my skill set and work with new students, teachers, staff, parents and school board members in RSU 89’s district in the principal role.”
A science teacher at Houlton Middle-High School, Mitchell has been with RSU 29 since 2010 when she began teaching at Houlton Southside School for grades 4-6. She transferred to the high school’s science department in 2016.
While part of the Houlton High School team, Mitchell served as a department chair, chemical hygiene officer, and a district leadership team member.
Mitchell said she is qualified and trained to take on this new role.
“Because I value education and believe that learning is valuable in several avenues and capacities, I am also currently pursuing my doctorate in educational leadership as part of an amazing cohort at the University of Maine Orono,” she said. “This will help me better support students and staff while aligning practices to ensure multiple avenues for learning are valued.”
Mitchell spent the past two years getting her certification in building administration, while completing an internship under Houlton’s previous principal, Tim Tweedie. She also filled in as principal if Tweedie was unavailable.
“Mrs. Mitchell is a gifted educator who is more than ready to take on additional leadership responsibilities,” Tweedie said. “I have had the pleasure of working closely with her on numerous professional development projects and in our doctoral program through the University of Maine. The staff in RSU 89 will quickly come to realize how talented Mrs. Mitchell is.”
Mitchell said she will miss her current students and colleagues at Houlton Middle-High School
“I have formed meaningful relationships over the past years in this district and will miss my day-to-day interactions with ‘my kids’,” she said. “My colleagues are among the most talented and supportive educators I’ve ever had the pleasure to call friends. It’s bittersweet to leave a place you love to pursue exciting opportunities in a place you know you’ll love too.”
She added that she was excited by the prospects of her new position.
“I look forward to new adventures, new meaningful relationships and working with the talented and skillful people at RSU 89,” she said. “I started my teaching career in small schools in Washington County and learned from some of the best administrators in Maine and I am excited to get to know the community in RSU 89.”
