LEVERETT — Every child should be able to thrive educationally, develop socially and emotionally and benefit from inclusive practices at Leverett Elementary School, according to the school’s new principal.

For Siby Adina, who began her tenure in early August at the school that is part of Erving School Union 28, meeting the needs of the whole child is a priority.

“The two go hand in hand,” Adina says of the link between classroom teaching and social and emotional learning. “I really want to put students first and learn about how we can do better.”

Collaboration and partnerships have been an emphasis in her educational career and she wants to make sure students and teachers are supported at the K-6 school, which also has a full-day early childhood education center for 3- and 4-year-olds.

Adina is succeeding interim Principal Jim Trill, who stepped into the role in the middle of last school year, at a time described by a teachers union co-president as a “tumultuous two months.” That included the departure of a sixth grade teacher and then dividing that class in two to ensure students would get back on track with their education. 

The principal post is a way for Adina to bring together aspects of her educational career. She spent 15 years as an elementary school teacher in the Worcester public schools and followed that with seven years in various administrative roles, serving as both an elementary curriculum coordina tor and focused instructional coach. Most recently, Adina was director of academics, faculty and inclusion at the Learning Project Elementary School in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood.

Already, she appreciates that Leverett residents and families are supportive of education. “The values are a good fit for what I’ve done in the past. My feelings are very positive,” she says.

Adina sees potential in many aspects of the school curriculum, highlighting outdoor learning in the surrounding natural environment and the greenhouse program.

“An attractive feature here in Leverett is making sure there is more hands-on learning experience,” Adina said.

She also appreciates that the Leverett Education Foundation is supporting the school needs beyond what is in the budget.

Being back in the Pioneer Valley is a homecoming of sorts for Adina, who graduated from Mount Holyoke College and did her practice teaching at Crocker Farm School in Amherst. She then went on to earn a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Lesley University and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Endicott College.

“For me, coming here to Leverett is a lot like coming back to where I started,” Adina said. One significant bonus is her new job’s proximity to the University of Massachusetts, where she has a child starting this fall.

Adina grew up in Kerala, India, with her grandparents, and attended a school similar in size to Leverett for the primary grades. She moved to New York City for her middle and high school years.

With the new school year starting this week, Adina said she is still getting to know staff and families. One good opportunity will come Tuesday evening when the parent-teacher organization puts on its annual “watermelon social.” “It will be a nice way to meet people and get started with the school year,” Adina said.

The teachers she has met as they prepare for the new school year are doing well, she said. “Teachers really know the students well and are working closely with families,” Adina said.

In the lead-up to the first day of school, one of her tasks is making sure all positions are filled, and she is still trying to hire for two educational support professionals whose mission and values align with the school and will have characteristics to grow into their roles. Those are advertised on SchoolSpring, a national jobs board for educators, and the Union 28 website.

She is ready for classes to start Wednesday.

“It’s a unique opportunity because it’s the only school in town,” Adina said. “And I want to make sure it is the pride and joy of the community.”

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.