Thursday, September 3, 2009
http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090903/GJCOMMUNITY04/709039767

ROCHESTER — A new era is dawning for the small school with a big heart. Maple Street School's leadership has changed hands and Robin Brown, former assistant principal at McClelland School, is now in charge.

She brings with her a wealth of knowledge, not just of the school system, but about the area in general, having been born in Somersworth and having lived in Rochester since 1973.

"I feel very committed to education, but in particular to education in Rochester," the mother of three and grandmother of three says. "These are my kids, my friends' kids. I plan on retiring from Rochester schools."

Brown says that Lilac City schools have made great strides, most importantly in creating a district curriculum. She credits Curriculum Coordinator Sally Riley for her work in that area, promoting consistency, especially in math and reading.

Part of the challenge now for Brown will be following in the footsteps of Barbara McDowell, who retired as Maple Street School's principal at the end of the 2008-09 school year after two decades. McDowell became an institution at the small, close-knit, neighborhood school.

Brown hopes to implement more technology at the school in the coming months and years and to continue to keep parents close and involved with the school.

Brown graduated from UNH, with a major in social work before returning to school for her masters in elementary education in 1990. She interned in Rochester and began teaching at William Allen School, then spent 10 years at the middle school. She went from language arts to the English Department Curriculum Coordinator and became certified as principal and as a reading specialist and worked as a reading specialist for four years. She then took the assistant principal position at McClelland School, where she has remained for the past four years.

She has three adult daughters, Katie, Summer and Elizabeth. Katie has two daughters, Molly and Fiona; and Summer has a son Benjamin.