New Dean To Focus on Curriculum and Students

New Lytania Mackey's strong suits are organization and communication.

Both attributes will help the former Swampscott High School science teacher succeed in her dean of students role, a large part of which will be devoted to curriculum.

Principal Layne Millington said the new dean's major responsibilities will include professional development — training teachers to help their students meet targeted standards.

The New England Association of Schools and Colleges has told the school that it must work on of student learning.

Millington said the school started that work last year and Mackey will build on it.

Mackey brings a decade of teaching experience to her new position and professional training of her own as she pursues a doctoral degree.

Her doctoral thesis explores how to build a successful mentoring program for teachers.

Mackey has spent her summer mapping out teacher training for the and a clear path to preparing for MCAS testing. 

She expects to spend days and some nights at the.

Her nights will typically involve attending student events: plays, musical performances, athletic events and such.

She wants students to get use to seeing her face so they feel more comfortable with her and more secure at school.

Comfortable kids will be more at ease and more prepared to learn.

Mackey is very comfortable in the school.

In addition to teaching science she was the  last year and coached middle school track.

So she knows what the senior class leaders did to engage fellow students in school activities, and she knows some of this year's freshmen.

She also knows that the school is there for students.

She likes students and being at school.

"I'm very happy, this is like my home," she said.