Hopkins Public Schools is excited to announce that Serita Mattei has been named the next principal of West Middle School. Mattei joined West Middle School in 2022, serving as the associate principal. In this role, she helped transform school culture after COVID by implementing restorative practices and creating a family engagement model that focused on building a community that included family engagement.
“Serita is a leader with many gifts and important qualities,” said Dr. Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed, superintendent of Hopkins Public Schools. “She has demonstrated that she has the capacity, commitment, and determination to lead West Middle School into its bright future. We are thrilled to welcome Serita as the new principal of West Middle School!”
Mattei has a track record for innovation and a sincere dedication to education and equity. She has focused her professional life on education and ensuring that each and every child is provided a quality experience full of opportunities and high expectations.
“I firmly and emphatically believe all students, regardless of racial or socio-economic background, have the right to learn at the highest standards possible,” said Mattei in her application letter.
She spent the majority of her teaching career on the East Coast in the Bronx, New York, but has also worked in education in Arizona and Minnesota. Nearly her entire teaching career has been focused on the middle level. After serving as the assistant principal of instruction at Bronx Urban Community Magnet School for three years, she moved to Minnesota to become the assistant principal of Roosevelt High School until 2022, when she joined West.
Mattei has a Bachelor of Arts in American Cultural Studies from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. She also holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Design and Instruction from Arizona State University. She received her school building leadership licenses from Baruch College in New York, NY.
Mattei will begin her duties as principal of West Middle School immediately. Hopkins Public Schools will begin its search to find an associate principal. More information will be shared soon.