Our initial impression of Mr. Stephens was, “Wow! He’s tall!” Prior to our meeting, this was the one characteristic of his we knew. Now, post-interview, we know Mr. Stephens for more than just his height, including his inclination and determination to perform highly as the new principal and superintendent. Andrew Stephens was appointed superintendent of Lincoln Sudbury at the end of the last school year (2022-2023), and he brings remarkable leadership skills with him in his transition from Lexington High School.
As students, we wanted to learn more about the incoming superintendent, including his intentions and methods, so we met with Mr. Stephens one morning to sit down and learn more. These are the highlights of our conversation:
What sparked your interest in transitioning to LS?
Mr. Stephens said he was interested in LS because of the school environment and the uniqueness of the position offered here. “I have been a high school principal for 18 years, including at Duxbury High School for 10 years and Lexington for 6. The first order of business was getting the position itself. [Lincoln-Sudbury’s superintendent position] is a really interesting mix of both, one that is rarely found throughout the state. This will hopefully give me a chance to be present in the school in the role of principal and allow me the professional challenge of taking on something new, which I have always felt is important for personal growth.”
How has the entry process into LS been so far?
It is never easy moving somewhere new. Mr. Stephens himself says that he still gets lost in the halls of LS. His entry process started in June while he was simultaneously wrapping things up at his old job in Lexington. “The summer was spent meeting with all sorts of people and administration” Mr. Stephens also said that he would like to hear any advice that anyone might have for him. “In the spring, I will pull all that together while also trying to go around to classes to see what’s going on: [furthering] discussions and then looking at some of the data that we have to come to some takeaways, that might help guide future work that we want to do with the goal of serving all students.” Mr. Stephens appreciates all students and wants to hear their opinions so he can see how to serve the LS community best.
Has LS lived up to your expectations?
According to Mr. Stephens, our school has completely lived up to his expectations, “No disappointment, it’s been fantastic. I am excited and gratified to be here and I am intrigued by the professional challenge that coming into a place like this grants me”. It is clear he shares the same anticipation for the school year that our students do by the enthusiasm he presents. Additionally, he is intrigued by our school’s physical appearance. From the layout of the school to air-conditioning in classrooms, LS is a ‘state-of-the-art facility’ in Mr. Stephens’ eyes.”
What values from your previous experiences will you carry over?
Mr. Stephens is prepared to convey not only his professional values but also personal, in order to make Lincoln Sudbury a true, working community. Professionally, he feels he needs to “communicate well, be accessible, and be visible,” ultimately forming a more organized and efficient workplace. Additionally, Mr. Stephens “firmly believes all kids can learn at a high level with the proper support, and that idea should drive everything we do; kids need to be at the center.” As for his personal values, he likes to say “Little things lead to big things – think big, act small.” All of the individual choices made throughout the building are what makes LS the place it is. This applies to even throwing your litter away, which Mr. Stephens can immediately judge to determine the respect throughout the school.
In what ways do you accept student feedback, and how do you incorporate it into your priorities?
One way to get advice is through individual meetings. “Sometimes I have kids who want to set up a meeting to talk about something that is on their mind. I value it when kids have the guts to talk to the principal/superintendent… If any student wants to meet with me, that’s a green light.” Mr. Stephens continues by saying that this has to be an “open door” policy in order to prioritize students and their thoughts. Another way of getting student feedback is by meeting with student groups. Recently he met with the Student Senate, “I asked those questions, what’s going well? What are the challenges? That helps inform [me] what kids are thinking, here’s where the kids are with this, whatever the topic is.” These meetings can help illuminate what problems need to be addressed, and it is good to hear what is going well at Lincoln Sudbury.
What do you hope to change about LS?
Because Mr. Stephens has only been at LS for a short time, he is unsure of what he wants to change about our school. He says, “I think it is patently unwise for someone in my position to come in with assumptions…I need to identify what it is that needs change and the problem that needs a solution.” This approach is smart and understandable as acquiring a new position can obviously be quite stressful. After our conversation, we think it is clear that Mr. Stephens can make the right decision on behalf of our school, students, and faculty. He leaves on a positive note, saying, “Time will tell” and we agree that with time, Mr. Stephen’s impact on LS will be a great one.
