Superintendent's Corner
Welcome!
As I begin my time as superintendent, I wanted to share how excited I am to have the opportunity to serve the students, staff, families, and communities of the Rivendell Interstate School District and how much I am looking forward to all that the future holds as we learn and grow together.
As part of the hiring process for the new superintendent, a survey was shared with stakeholders in the district. The results of this survey revealed what was important to students, staff, parents, and community members with regard to the qualities that they felt the new superintendent should possess. Across all groups surveyed, certain trends emerged. I am summarizing here, but they sought someone who would: listen, communicate effectively, work collaboratively, be realistic (fiscally/organizationally, etc.) and open minded, and most importantly (at least to me) stay student centered.
This information was valuable because it revealed what lies at the heart of Rivendell. Put simply, if these are the qualities your community expects in a superintendent, they are also the values shared by all who are dedicated to educating the district’s children. And while we may have arrived at these principles by different paths—or perhaps because of that—I find them all the more meaningful as a foundation for our work together. Starting from a place of shared understanding gives me hope. As Mary Poppins (or maybe it was Aristotle) once said, ‘Well begun is half done.’
It’s essential that the hopes we hold for our schools and communities keep us focused on our students because they are, ultimately, what unite us. When we serve a purpose greater than ourselves, we tap into the strength of community and together, we can achieve more than any one of us could alone. And in such unity, there is a quantifying effect—strengthening each of us in the face of challenges that might otherwise feel overwhelming on our own. Because we are stronger together when our shared purpose is the students we serve, my hope is that we do so with creativity and passion. To quote Gandalf (I’d like to quote Elrond as, after all, this is Rivendell, but he’s just not as quotable), “Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.” Each of us, through our words or actions, quantifies the good in our community and, through this shared purpose, we can bring about powerful results. I am looking forward with anticipation and hope to all that we will accomplish in the years to come.
Be well,
Randy
Randy Gawel began as Superintendent of Schools for Rivendell on July 1, 2025 and is excited to have the opportunity to serve the students, staff, and community of the school district.
Prior to Rivendell, Randy served as the superintendent for the Orange East Supervisory Union, assistant superintendent for Orange East, and as a director, principal, assistant principal, teacher, and coach in several districts around Detroit, Michigan.
Randy received his bachelor’s degree from Lyndon State College, his master’s from Boston College, and his Educational Specialist degree from Wayne State University. Though most of his educational career has been spent in Michigan, Randy grew up in Franconia, NH and attended local schools—where he had the chance to compete against Orford High School (both successfully in baseball and not so much so in soccer) back in the day.
He lives in New Hampshire with his wife, two dogs, and a menagerie of wild animals that crisscross their property driving the dogs absolutely crazy. He enjoys fishing, hiking, reading, and sports (Go Sox!). His wife and daughter are both teachers in local school districts.
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September 2, 2024