News
David Collins to lead
Mohonasen High School
Patrick McGrath moves to district offices
July 31, 2008
David
Collins is no stranger to Mohonasen High School.
In 1995 he was a member of Mohonasen’s 36th graduating class. After
completing college, he returned home in 2000 to teach Living
Environment—a post he held for five years until becoming an
assistant principal at the high school. And then, this summer
Collins assumed his new role as the Mohonasen High School principal.
“This is a wonderful move for me,” Collins said. “I’m excited to
continue my career in Mohonasen and to further all of the good work
that we have accomplished here in the last several years.”
Collins replaces Patrick McGrath, who is now the district’s
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction.
As principal, Collins said he hopes to place an increased focus on
communication.
“My goal is to increase communication between all
stakeholders—students, parents and families, teachers, school staff
and school administrators,” Collins said. “I have a great high
school team in place and together we will build on the
accomplishments of the past.”
Collins, along with Assistant High School Principal Makensie
Bullinger, also plans to place greater emphasis on the many great
things happening at Mohonasen. The initiative called “In the
Spotlight” will work to create various new ways to identify and
promote faculty and student achievements.
In terms of academics, Collins plans to further strengthen MHS’s
academic programs. In particular, he wants to focus on helping
Mohonasen students make the jump to high school by further
developing the transition teams at the 9th and 10th grade levels. In
addition, high school administrators, led by Collins, are developing
a Freshmen seminar course that will address the skills necessary for
success in high school. He is also excited about two new AP course
offerings (AP World History and AP Physics) at the high school next
year.
Collins has a bachelor’s degree in biology from SUNY Geneseo and a
master’s in teaching from Union College. He received his
administrator’s certification from the Massachusetts College of
Liberal Arts.
During his tenure at Mohonasen High School, Collins has been
instrumental in the development of the Living Environment I and II
curricula and the high school registration process. He is also proud
of his work in enhancing the high school master schedule, freshman
orientation, the high school talent show and the senior citizens
prom.
“David is a leader and a teacher with a vision for the future,”
Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Spring said. “As we move further into
the 21st Century, David’s ideas and his energy will continue to be
an asset in our district.”
