Published: 5/28/2020 6:43:21 PM
AMHERST — Diego Sharon, dean of students at Amherst Regional Middle School, will begin his tenure as the school’s new principal on July 1.
Superintendent Michael Morris named Sharon to the position Thursday, following a national search and positive feedback from the school community.
Sharon, one of three finalists to become the first permanent principal at the school in four years, has a 25-year career as an educator that has focused on social equity and student-centered learning.
The middle school has had interim co-principals Joseph Smith and Rebecca Sweetman since 2018. It last had a permanent principal in May 2016, when Marisa Mendonsa resigned from the position.
A native of Colombia, Sharon moved to California to become a high school history teacher, and after several years left to create, with two colleagues, an urban charter school that brought educational opportunities to an underserved population of students.
Sharon has also facilitated ongoing professional development in schools, social service agencies and universities related to diversity, inclusivity and social justice, and has maintained a commitment to sustainable living principles by living in eco-villages in upstate New York and rural Thailand.
Sharon will complete his principal licensure program with the Upper Valley Educators Institute within the next few weeks, according to the school district.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.