Principal Michael Brennan and assistant principal Amy Bradley look over student enrollment for the coming year at Sherman Elementary School. Anyone who
can take care of a large family, work fulltime and simultaneously pursue a
doctorate in education probably has the self-discipline to be a public school
administrator.
That description fits Amy Bradley, a longtime Mansfield City Schools teacher who was appointed assistant principal at Sherman Elementary School in June. She filled that role on an interim basis during the latter part of the last school year.
“Amy absolutely has demonstrated her ability to build strong and trusting relationships with students,” said second-year principal Michael Brennan. “She is a strong force in this school and I have come to rely on her.
“Amy has a wealth of information from her many years as a teacher and (academic) coach. Students, parents and other teachers often seek her out for counsel.”
Bradley said
she approaches her role as assistant principal at Sherman, where she taught for
years, with a sense of mutual respect.
“These are my colleagues who I worked with as a teacher,” she said. “My approach is more of a team model: What can we do together?”
Bradley and her husband Josh, a Springfield Township fire inspector, have five children – four boys and a girl – ranging in age from 5 to 16. She said structure is her key to balancing family and professional responsibilities.
“I am very structured. I plan every day,” Bradley said. “If I get up at 5 a.m. to do homework for my doctorate, then make sure everyone has what they need, that’s what I do. I plan it.”
A 19-year veteran of Mansfield City Schools, where she has spent her entire career, Bradley also taught at Prospect Elementary and the former Stadium Elementary. She earned a bachelor degree in elementary education from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, then received a master’s in curriculum and instruction from Ashland University. She is pursuing her doctorate in educational leadership studies from AU.
Sherman, which long ago served as a junior high school, is twice the size of the district’s other elementary schools. Enrollment at Sherman at the end of school in June was 479.
“Even for our size, I think of Sherman as a family. I know so many of the students and their families,” Bradley said.
“Working with Mr. Brennan, we are anticipating big things, pushing forward with an amazing staff. I think we will have an amazing year at Sherman.”