Today the Lynn Public Schools announced appointments of 3 new principals & a new Executive Director for their Human Resources Department. Below is a compiled list of all of today’s announcements from LPS.

All info. & pictures below are courtesy of the Lynn Public Schools.

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Fred Gallo appointed Principal of Lynn Vocational Technical Institute (LVTI)

Mr. Gallo will replace Carissa Karakaedos, who served as principal since 2018 and is relocating to a different region in the country. Through a rigorous, multi-step process, Mr. Gallo distinguished himself among an experienced and talented pool of candidates as one who is who will continue to make a deep impact as a member of the Lynn Public Schools leadership team.

Mr. Gallo is a known entity at LVTI. After all, he has spent all of his 32 years as an educator at Lynn Tech. Mr. Gallo’s journey began as a bilingual teacher, focusing on science and mathematics. He then transitioned to teaching physics. A role that he engaged for five years before becoming a guidance counselor. Mr. Gallo serve as a guidance counselor for 16 years before his appointment as vice principal in 2015. Since then, Mr. Gallo has honed his leadership skills working closely with the principal on implementation of several innovative programs and also recently completing the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators Leadership Academy.

Clear through the process is Mr. Gallo’s enthusiasm for continuous improvement and innovation at LVTI. This commitment is coupled with the deep belief in students first and embracing collaboration and voice in any change or improvement effort. Accordingly, Mr. Gallo’s principalship is not necessarily a continuation of the way things have been, but a forging forward in new and innovative, but collaboratively-explored ways.

Mr. Gallo holds a Bachelor Degree in Science Education from Boston University, a Masters in Education Administration from University of Massachusetts, Boston, a Masters in School Counseling from Salem State. Mr. Gallo is fully fluent in Spanish. He will begin work as principal on July 1, 2021.

Jessica Ekhomu appointed Principal of Hood Elementary School

Ms. Ekhomu will replace Shirley Albert-Benedict, who served in an acting capacity during the 2020-21 school year. Through a rigorous, multi-step process, Ms. Ekhomu distinguished herself among an experienced and talented pool of candidates as one who would make a wonderful addition to the Lynn Public Schools leadership team.

Ms. Ekhomu began her career as a 5th grade teacher in the Boston Public Schools. She quickly ascended to an instructional leadership role as a lead teacher. Ms. Ekhomu’s impressive experience as a teacher led to successful admission to prestigious leadership fellowships, namely the Curate Fellowship and the Lynch Leadership Academy. She honed her leadership skills as a fellow at the Josiah Quincy Elementary School and then as Assistant Principal at the Tobin K-8.

During the interview process, Ms. Ekhomu demonstrated exceptional instructional knowledge. Both in her experience and through her responses to questions, she displayed deep understanding on how to analyze data and turn that understanding into strategy that improve student outcomes. Furthermore, Ms. Ekhomu conveyed a notable skill set in and experience with building and maintaining a collaborative, inclusive school culture. Her references willingly celebrated these skills and more and position her as a rising star among educational leaders.

Ms. Ekhomou holds a Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice and Master of Public Health from Georgia State and Master’s in Curriculum and Teaching from Boston University. She will begin work as principal on July 1, 2021.

Dr. John Braga appointed Principal of English High School

Dr. Braga will replace Tessie Mower, who served in an acting capacity during the 2020-21 school year. Through a rigorous, multi-step process, Dr. Braga distinguished himself among an experienced and talented pool of candidates as one who would make a wonderful addition to the Lynn Public Schools leadership team.

Dr. Braga’s journey began as an English teacher at the Mario Umana Academy School in Boston. Before ascending to leadership roles, Dr. Braga also taught English at East Boston High School. Dr. Braga’s leadership experience is broad. He served as director of English language learners services and supplemental programs at the district level before returning to building based leadership roles in Boston and most recently in Somerville.

Dr. Braga will bring notable experience and know how to bear on his role as principal at Lynn English. He has been instrumental in improvement efforts at the schools where he has served previously. Featured in each of the experiences, according to Dr. Braga, was a concerted effort to bring the community together around a shared goal. Dr. Braga’s experience with and focus on collaboration, instructional leadership, tiered systems of support, and culture building are markers that made him an attractive candidate.

Dr. Braga holds a Bachelor Degree in English from Stetson University, a Master of Education from Lesley, a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study from Fitchburg, and a doctorate in education from University of Massachusetts in Lowell. Dr. Braga also speaks Portuguese and Spanish. He will begin work as principal on July 6, 2021.

Carolynn Fabale appointed Executive Director of Human Resources

Ms. Fabale will replace Barbara Rafuse, who recently retired. Through a rigorous, collaborative process, Ms. Fabale distinguished herself among an experienced and talented pool of candidates as one who would make a wonderful addition to the Lynn Public Schools leadership team.

Through the interview process, Ms. Fabale clearly stood out. Not only was she the candidate best fit for the role, but someone about whom we are all very excited. Energy and charisma are two characteristics one immediately observes when interacting with Ms. Fabale. Equally important, she stands on an impressive career in education which began 20 years ago as a special education teacher in Los Angeles. Ms. Fabale credits her experience as a special education teacher with shaping her views on valuing and supporting school staff. She transitioned to human resources after seven years in the classroom, first in Los Angeles Unified School District, and then in director roles for several school districts very similar to the Lynn Public Schools.

Beyond the depth of her knowledge and the substance of her experience, Ms. Fabale is an innovator. She has modernized human resources departments in her experience in the past – that seemed to be a common theme among her references. What is more, she brings incredible energy and a collaborative spirit that we believe will help establish the human resource department in the Lynn Public Schools as a model.

Ms. Fabale holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in early childhood education and Master’s Degree in special education both from California State University, Los Angeles. She will begin work as Executive Director of Human Resources on July 1, 2021.