Administration
Jocelyn Young, Principal
About Ms. Young
I am an experienced educator and administrator with over twenty years of experience working in the field of education. This is my eighth year as the principal of Northwood School. Before joining Northwood School, I spent fifteen years working at an elementary school in Milton, New Hampshire where I served as a speech and language assistant, classroom teacher, and assistant principal.
In my thirteen years as a building administrator, I have focused on advancing student achievement through promoting a positive and productive school culture, building capacity and knowledge in best practices in the domains of curriculum, instruction, and assessment, engaging in growth-oriented teacher evaluation, cultivating teacher leadership, ensuring structures support students both academically and socially, developing effective and efficient systems, and communicating about school programs and events with positivity and transparency.
In my opinion, an effective school is characterized by high expectations, a culture of learning, emphasis on collaboration, a strong sense of community, and dedication to continuous improvement. I work to ensure these qualities continue to be descriptive of our school while also valuing humor, fun, kindness, and the spontaneity and flexibility that are essential when working with children.
I am grateful to be a member of such a talented and dedicated team, to work with an amazing student population, and to have such strong community support for the school. I strongly support the school community’s commitment to inspire students to be lifelong learners and to provide a safe, challenging environment that encourages all students to aspire to excellence.
Our recent accreditation through the New England Association of Schools and Colleges is a great accomplishment and gives us the opportunity to work towards established standards, receive support in our continued efforts to meet the diverse needs of our students, and achieve the goals in our strategic plan. I am excited to work with our leadership team to further align our school with the standards of accreditation. This year we'll continue to work to actualize our newly developed vision of the graduate, further refine our curriculum documents, and strengthen our multi-tiered system of support for students. I will be sharing updates on this work throughout the year.
Please feel free to contact me by phone (603-942-5488) or email (jyoung@northwoodschoolnh.org) with any comments, questions, or feedback. I look forward to another productive and fun school year and to working together to support and educate our students.
Sarah Gilliam, Assistant Principal
About Ms. Gilliam
I am both honored and excited to join the Northwood School community as I embark on my twentieth year in education. My journey has been supported by a CAGS in Advanced Educational Leadership, an M.Ed. in Science Education, and a B.A. in Elementary Education. Before coming to Northwood, I served as Dean of Students at Souhegan High School and Assistant Principal at Alvirne High School. Additionally, I spent many rewarding years teaching middle and high school science.
As Assistant Principal, my mission aligns closely with the Vision of the Graduate and the principles of 21st-century education. I am committed to fostering a collaborative environment that builds a strong foundation for every student. I believe that recognizing and nurturing each student's unique strengths is essential for their success. By working together with caregivers, teachers, and community members, we can help every student achieve their fullest potential.
Should you wish to contact me, reach out to sgilliam@northwoodschoolnh.org or by calling the main school phone number.