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Nancy Kurty
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On June 30th, Ludlow High School Assistant Principal for grades 11 and 12, Nancy Kurty, will be retiring from her career with the Ludlow Public Schools- a career that began in August 1989.
After graduating from Bridgewater State University Kurty worked as a Physical Education Teacher in Brockton, MA for one year before moving to Bayreuth, in northern Bavaria, Germany, to accept a position with the U. S. Army Department of Education; a position she held for 10 years.
In 1989 Kurty joined the staff at LHS as a physical education teacher. She returned to school, earning an M. Ed. from Springfield College with a concentration in Athletic Administration. In 1997 she was appointed the LHS Athletic Director and held that position for 13 years until accepting her current position, which she has held for the last 9 ½ years.
During her tenure at LHS Kurty also spent time mentoring students; coaching soccer, softball and cheerleading.
As Kurty reflected on her years at Ludlow High School she proudly stated, “Ludlow Public Schools is one of the best school systems in the state. The high school has risen to a level one school because of the outstanding leadership and dedication of Mrs. Nemeth, her staff, and the fabulous teachers, all who have far exceeded what is expected of them.”
As she reminisced Kurty said the one major change to impact public education during her incumbency has been the introduction of technology in both classrooms, and personally.
“Technology can consume the lives of our students- it has been a major shift in how they learn and how they interact with each other,” said Kurty. “I worry that as they become more dependent on technology they will become less independent thinkers and we will see a decrease in those all important face-to-face personal and social connections.”
When Michael Halpin, LHS Assistant Principal for grades 9 and 10, arrived to LHS twelve years ago, Kurty was the athletic director.
“My first impression was how welcoming and friendly Nancy was,” said Halpin. “She was the person in the building that always checked in with me to make sure I was informed about anything that was going on, and what I should expect. That gesture, how small it may seem, was so meaningful to me.”
“Over the years she has been my partner in crime, my advisor, my sounding board, but most importantly Nancy has been a valued friend. I will miss her immensely,” added Halpin.
“I had a fantastic 8 years working with Nancy,” said LHS Principal, Lisa Nemeth. “Her deep roots in Ludlow can never be replaced and she will be missed immensely.”
Nemeth shared that Jonathan Mitchell [former LHS Special Education Teacher] will be stepping into Kurty’’s shoes as the new Assistant Principal for grades 11 and 12.
“I’m looking forward to welcoming Jon to our admin team and working with him to continue Nancy’s legacy of making Ludlow High the best it can be,” said Nemeth.
“Nancy has been so incredibly helpful since I accepted the position,” said Mitchell. “Seeing how much she loves her job has made me even more excited to get started.”
“She’s made such a positive impact on the Ludlow community,” added Mitchell. “There are teachers in our building who had Nancy as a PE teacher, coach, class advisor, or athletic director. She's irreplaceable in so many ways.”
All who were touched by this energetic, passionate, dedicated, hard working, caring- teacher, coach, athletic director and assistant principal- wish her well as she closes her office door for the last time and opens her well deserved door to retirement.
Mike Halpin perhaps said it best, “Nancy has been the face of LHS for many years. Although her legacy will live on, her daily presence at Ludlow High School will be greatly missed by staff, students and parents.”
Nancy Kurty & Jonathan Mitchell
