In an effort to further strengthen the school’s academic program and standing, Community Charter School of Cambridge has appointed Becky Wilusz as its new Dean of Curriculum and Program. Ms. Wilusz joined CCSC this summer in time to oversee the school’s Teacher Mentor Program for new faculty.
As Dean of Curriculum and Program, Ms. Wilusz’s primary goal will be to ensure that the education students receive continues to be top notch. “The best news about this goal is that CCSC is in an incredibly strong place already—our 10th graders’ remarkable MCAS results are just one measure of our successful approach to bringing out the best in each student,” she said. (In 2012, 100% of CCSC sophomores scored advanced or proficient in both math and English, earning CCSC at #1 ranking out of more than 350 schools statewide.)
“We are very fortunate to recruit someone with the breadth and depth of experience Ms. Wilusz brings,” said CCSC’s Head of School, Caleb Hurst-Hiller. “Her predecessor (Emma Stellman) left some pretty big shoes to fill, but we’re confident Ms. Wilusz will help take CCSC to new heights.”
Ms. Wilusz comes to CCSC from Prospect Hill Academy Charter School, where she worked for seven years, the past five as upper school principal.. “Many aspects of CCSC stood out to me, but the most significant was the sense of close community,” she said. “Teachers, students, and staff know each other well here, and that community feeling is a priority for me. I have always worked in small schools and being able to know the students and other staff, and to know that those relationships are valued at CCSC, was a significant factor in my choice.”
Ms. Wilusz, who earned a bachelor’s degree from Amherst College and holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from Brown University, said another important factor in choosing to work at CCSC is the scope of responsibilities of the position.
“Of all the areas I have been responsible for in my prior positions, this position combines three things I care deeply about and enjoy,” she said. “I really enjoy working with teachers on their planning and instruction, overseeing curriculum development and alignment, and working with teacher mentors.”
“There have been, however, some recent changes to the state standards as Massachusetts adopts the Common Core Standards, and one of my big tasks this year will be to work with department chairs and the whole faculty to understand those changes and to ensure that all aspects of our academic program are aligned to them,” Ms. Wilusz continued.