Jeremy Slotnick’s first week as principal at Nashoba Tech went off without a hitch.
It helps, of course, that he knows the school like the back of his hand, having spent the last 12 years there, including the last three as assistant principal.
Slotnick was selected earlier this summer to replace Matthew Ricard as principal. Ricard left Nashoba Tech, from which he graduated in 1995 and spent his entire educational career, to accept a position within the Groton-Dunstable Regional School District.
“I am so pleased to have Jeremy Slotnick transition to the role of principal on our leadership team,” Superintendent Dr. Denise Pigeon said. “He has truly earned this position based on both his internal track record and his breadth of knowledge and experience in vocational and technical education. Jeremy brings over 20 years in vocational education to the position, 12 of those years proudly serving the students of Nashoba.”
Slotnick started at Nashoba Tech as an English teacher before becoming the coordinator of academics and testing for two years before being named principal. Before that, he taught at Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School in Haverhill.
He said his primary focus “is doing whatever it takes to assist our faculty in accomplishing that goal.”
“In some cases,” he added, “this involves implementing large-scale initiatives focused upon schoolwide improvement, such as social emotional learning or cross-curricular projects. In other cases, it can be something simple, like rolling up my sleeves to help rearrange a classroom.”
He also said students should feel “challenged and supported, free to make mistakes and learn from them. Our staff works exceptionally hard to ensure that every student reaches his or her potential.”
In a letter to Nashoba Tech families before classes began, Slotnick informed parents, “I firmly believe that attending our school expands opportunities for our students. They are exposed to 20 technical programs, a wide array of sports and extracurricular activities, college-level courses, and a faculty that provides a level of dedication, skill and student awareness that is second to none. We give students the chance to find what they love and teach them how to excel at it.
“Traditional school hasn’t been motivating for some of our students,” he added, “so we take a different approach to all learning — in technical programs and academics. Real-world projects and skills necessary for the workplace are incorporated into all classes. ... I want students’ eyes to light up when they talk about NT and their time here. I want them to feel excited, confident and welcomed. ... Additionally, one of the greatest advantages of Nashoba Tech is that we show students what it takes to succeed not only in an academic environment but beyond it, into the real world.”
Slotnick lives in Andover with his wife, Jennifer Sloan, and their two children, Neil, 15, and Jillian, 12.