Stephen Goodwin, principal of Sprague Elementary School in Wellesley since 2011, has announced plans to leave at the end of this school year.

“As some may know, this is my 22nd year spent working in public education – 9 as a teacher, 13 as an administrator. For some period of time now, as I eye the next half of my career in public education, I have been thinking about exploring other teaching and leadership opportunities outside the principalship. As a result, I have begun to pursue new opportunities and wish to ensure that both Wellesley Public Schools (WPS) Superintendent Dr. David Lussier and the Sprague community have ample time to select a new principal for the 2014-2015 school year,” he wrote.

Parents have been writing to us with glowing reviews of Goodwin and say they will miss him:

“It’s a huge huge loss. He will be sorely missed. A truly gifted person.”

“I for one am a parent incredibly sad to hear that Dr. Goodwin is moving on and out of Sprague. I know I am not alone. He has been tremendous and there are not many like him out there.”

“I am so sad to see him leave. I have never seen a principal go above and beyond each day as he does. I wish him all the success he deserves.”