Innovative educator brings nearly 30 years of teaching and leadership experience to continue advancing key foundational work

Following an exhaustive search for a seasoned educator to continue to advance Somerville’s excellent Universal Kindergarten Readiness early education work, Somerville Public Schools (SPS) Superintendent Mary Skipper is pleased to announce that Kathleen Bailer will be joining the district as the next Director of Early Education. Effective July 29, Ms. Bailer will step into the role currently held by Dr. Lisa Kuh, who is relocating to Washington State where she is already poised to take on a new professional opportunity. Under Dr. Kuh’s leadership, Somerville has earned a reputation for taking a collaborative and innovative approach to early childhood education that brings public school and center-based programs together to build a mixed delivery model that honors family choice through high-quality, accessible programming.

“Dr. Kuh has been a transformative early education leader. Her vision and her commitment to bringing all stakeholders together to drive this work has had an incredibly positive impact not only in our district and the Somerville community, but across the state through her advocacy,” stated Superintendent of Schools, Mary Skipper. “We are certainly sorry to see her go, but we are also excited for her. We know she will continue to make an impact in this field, one that we will all benefit from.”

“We are also excited to have Kathleen Bailer, an experienced, passionate, and innovative early education leader, be joining us as our next Director of Early Education,” Superintendent Skipper added. “Ms. Bailer’s experience and success speak for themselves, and her demonstrated commitment to engaging families and the community in this work aligns with our vision as a district and as a city. I look forward to welcoming her into our community, and am fully confident that she will continue to build on the outstanding work of our early childhood community over the last several years.”

“I am honored to support the implementation of a comprehensive, integrated, mixed-delivery early education system in Somerville and ensure that all students meet and exceed the kindergarten readiness benchmarks,” said Ms. Bailer. “To continue the outstanding work accomplished in the city to support high-quality early childhood education and collaborate with a team of excellent educators is a dream come true. I look forward to getting to know the Somerville families and community.”

Ms. Bailer comes to Somerville after having served as the Principal of the John Ashley Kindergarten School and the Cowing Early Childhood Center in the West Springfield Public Schools for the last 6 years. A visionary and strategic leader, Ms. Bailer’s role in West Springfield included providing strategic direction for the two public schools – the John Ashley School serving 240 kindergarten students, and the 130-student Cowing Early Childhood program. Her efforts centered around creating a welcoming and creative teaching and learning environment through high-quality instructional practices, a strong organizational structure, a focus on family and community engagement, and a supportive professional culture. The following are among the many outstanding efforts she led over the last six years in the West Springfield school system in her commitment to ensure a rich learning experience for all students.

• Cultivating a shared vision of high quality early childhood education utilizing best practices in curriculum design, pedagogy, and classroom space/equipment usage. 
• Introducing and implementing a Student Support Team to discuss and develop ways to support all children’s learning and overall success.
• Creating effective partnerships with families, community members and stakeholders that supported the mission of the school and honored the diversity of the community.
• Leading faculty in developing a shared commitment of reflective practice, high expectations and continuous learning.

Dr. Kuh notes, “Ms. Bailer brings a deep knowledge of early childhood curriculum and an approach that truly respects and follows the child. Her appreciation for beautiful classroom environments that are ready for learning, and her own passions for artistic expression and early literacy will only strengthen our work in Somerville. She is a relationship builder and understands the importance of strong relationships with community partners as a road to a successful early childhood system. We are fortunate to have her join us!”

Prior to her most recent position in West Springfield, Ms. Bailer was Principal of the Gill Elementary School in Gill, Massachusetts from 2011-2015, managing all aspects of the K-6 school. During that time, she also served as the Early Childhood Coordinator for the Gill-Montague Regional School District from 2011 to 2013, and was the Team Chair for Special Education from 2012 to 2014. Ms. Bailer began her career in education in 1992 as an Elementary School Teacher at the International School Of Curacao, Curacao, NA. Her career pathway has included teaching or working with youth in Italy, Massachusetts, and New York. 

In 1999, Ms. Bailer founded K-Play, an art educational resource for educators located in Great Barrington, MA. She blended her teaching, research, writing, and professional development skills to further her work in early education through art. She invented, produced and marketed Magic Mud, a clay for young children and Magic Mud Tools, wooden ergonomically designed tools for young children, and taught art to child care centers and family daycares throughout the Berkshires. Ms. Bailer served as President of K-Play for 15 years before returning to a school environment as Director of the Mountain Road School in Lebanon, NY from 2007 to 2011.

Ms. Bailer earned a Bachelor of Arts in Art from Bucknell University and a Master of Science in Education from Bank Street College of Education in New York. She also holds a Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education license in Principal/Assistant Principal PreK – 6, Early Childhood PreK – 3, Elementary 1 – 6, Art/Visual Art PreK – 9, SEI-Admin Endorsement as well as a Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, Lead Teacher, Director I, Director II License.

-Somerville Public Schools