Kate Murray to Lead Grosse Pointe North

After two searches for a principal to lead Grosse Pointe North High School, district officials will recommend Assistant Principal Kate Murray to the Board of Education later this month.

Murray began at Grosse Pointe North as a student teacher more than 15 years ago. She then accepted a teaching job at the school and has remained there throughout her professional career. Last school year, she was promoted to assistant principal.

Now, a year-and-a-half later, she will be considered by the school board to take on an even bigger challenge as the high school's principal, according to Rebecca Fannon, the district spokeswoman.

The school is without a permanent principal following the departure of Tim Bearden, who is now at Detroit Country Day School. He left in the summer. Officials attempted to do a search for viable candidates in hopes of replacing him before this school year began.

However, the candidates officials found were not quite the rigtht fit, according to Assistant Superintendent of instructional and educational services Jon Dean. Rather than rushing the search, the district hired a temporary principal to bridge the gap, Tom Tobe.

According to a press release issued Thursday, the district administration will recommend Murray to the Board of Education on Monday Feb. 25 seeking their approval that night. If approves, Murray will begin the following day, Feb. 26th.

Murray's transition from the classroom to the office was one she considered for years. At first she could not give up the contact with the students but last year, she made the transition in an effort to help more students.

She was recently recognized by the Michigan Reading Association as an administrator of the year for her focus on literacy in education.

In addition to seeking her doctorate, Murray's educational background includes:

• an educational specialist, educational leadership degree in 2011
• a master's in secondary education in 2006
• a bachelor's in education with English and French majors
• study abroad work in Avignon, France

Her professional background includes:

• chair of the modern and classical languages department from 1997 to 2003
• chair of the English department from 2006 until the recent promotion
• teacher of English and French in grades 7 to 12
• teacher of A.P. English language and composition 
• teacher of A.P. French language and A.P. French literature
• development of curriculum for several areas of study, including the Freshman Assist Curriculum
• coached the track and field team for two years
• coached the cross country team for 10 years
• co-founder, adviser for WILLOW for eight years