SHOREHAM — The search for a new Shoreham Elementary School principal is down to two finalists, one of whom needs little introduction to the Addison Central School District Community.

The candidates are Middlebury Union Middle School Assistant Principal Karyn Stannard, and Andy Johnson, a K-4 music teacher at Milton Elementary School who was a finalist for the recently filled position of assistant principal of Middlebury’s Mary Hogan Elementary School.

Both candidates visited Shoreham Elementary on Wednesday, May 18, for interviews and conversations with local staff, students and families.

Johnson and Stannard are each hoping to succeed Shoreham Principal Mike Lenox, who recently announced plans to step down at the end of this academic year in order to find another job that will give him more direct interaction with students. Lenox has helmed the rural K-5 school for eight years.

Here’s a more detailed introduction (in alphabetical order) to the two finalists:

Andy Johnson has been a music, band and orchestra teacher since 2002. He has worked at elementary, middle and high schools in Vermont, Wisconsin and Illinois. He has his master’s degree in Music Performance from Ithaca College in New York. Previous stops on his professional journey have included Velma Hamilton Middle School/Van Hise Elementary School in Madison, Wis., where he was grades 5-8 grade orchestra teacher; Williamstown Middle/High School in Williamstown, Vt., where he was grades 6-12 grade band teacher; James Madison Memorial High School/Jefferson Middle School, Madison, Wis., where he worked as 6-12 grade orchestra teacher; and Hunt & Edmunds Middle School in Burlington, Vt., where he taught orchestra in grades 6-8.

Karyn Stannard has been a special educator, special education director, and summer recreation director. She has worked in Vermont schools since 2002. She’s been assistant principal at MUMS since July of last year. Her previous experience includes stints as a special education director at Bennington Rutland Supervisory Union (2019-2021); special educator and classroom teacher in Rutland City public schools (2016-2019); special educator at Mill River High School (2007- 2016); and Summer Recreation Director for the town of Fair Haven, (January 2012-August 2014).

The Independent will report on the new leadership hire for Shoreham as soon as it’s announced.

Reporter John Flowers is at [email protected].