Michelle McKeon, North Attleboro assistant superintendent and a finalist for Mansfield superintendent, told the Mansfield School Committee on Feb. 8 that her leadership centers on relationships, clear district priorities and equipping teacher-leaders to drive instructional improvement.

"If people have seen me around the district, I've been at schools visiting, I have coffee hours," McKeon said, describing a visibility-centered approach that she pairs with explicit, repeatable routines for improving teaching and learning.

Why it matters: McKeon presented concrete operational tactics that a hired superintendent could deploy quickly — a compact strategic framework, a district professional-learning steering committee, a "Foursquare" data protocol to analyze gaps, and teacher-led training — all intended to build shared vocabulary and accelerate classroom practice.

Details from the interview

- District strategic framework and goals: McKeon described building a short, user-friendly strategic plan centered on four pillars (success for all students, deeper learning, effective financial operations, and community partnerships), and said she expects every staff member to set goals aligned to the district’s stated priorities.

- Data and instructional support: McKeon recommended a simple four-box protocol for grade-level or PLC teams to analyze assessment data, identify the problem of practice, trial targeted strategies and then collect follow-up evidence in six weeks. She emphasized short cycles of observation and on‑the‑job coaching.

- Professional development and teacher leadership: McKeon said she reorganized PD in her district around yearlong themes tied to strategic goals, run by a professional-learning steering committee that includes teacher leaders; teachers then deliver tailored sessions at their schools so learning translates quickly into classroom practice.

- Safety, health and substance misuse: McKeon described townwide safety planning with police, fire and a consultant to generate operational checklists and 5‑minute videos for staff and students. She also supports multi-layered prevention strategies for vaping and substance use: curriculum units by grade, family sessions and alternatives to punitive discipline paired with counseling supports.

- Budgeting and facilities: McKeon said she uses a collaborative, school-by-school approach to prioritize spending and looks for grant and partnership opportunities to sustain extracurriculars and specialty programs when general funds are tight.

Context and next steps

McKeon said she applied to Mansfield because the job posting’s emphasis on belonging and student-centered outcomes matched her values; she also noted a local connection to the community. The committee will deliberate and vote in a public meeting scheduled after the interviews; no hiring decision was taken at the Feb. 8 session.

Ending

McKeon closed by noting her doctorate research on closing the opportunity gap and said she wants to "immerse" in a district and stay long term if chosen.