Meet Elizabeth Viveiros, Portsmouth’s new assistant superintendent

PORTSMOUTH — It’s been eight years since Elizabeth Viveiros first joined the Portsmouth school community, taking the helm as principal at Melville Elementary School. But starting this July, Ms. Viveiros is embarking on a new venture within the district — serving as Portsmouth’s newest assistant superintendent. 

From the lessons she has learned throughout her 20-year career in education to her continuing pursuit of knowledge and information, Ms. Viveiros shared her confidence about the future of education for Portsmouth schools and how the district can get through these difficult times. 

What is it like starting out on this new venture during such an unprecedented time? “Although we continue to live in uncertain times, one thing that remains certain is the dedication that our district has to the academic success of our students. I’m excited to start this new chapter in my career and am confident that together with my fellow administrators and our excellent teachers and staff, we will do everything we need to do to provide our students with a high-quality education for the upcoming school year.”

In what ways do you hope to help lead Portsmouth through the continuing COVID-19 crisis? “As the assistant superintendent, I am tasked with developing and maintaining instructional programs that meet the needs of all our students. As we enter into the first stage of our reopening plan, it will be necessary for me to assess our current reality and begin to develop a plan for transitioning our students back to school. I will need to work closely with our central office team, school committee, school principals, teachers, and community stakeholders to plan for both the academic and social-emotional needs of our students. Whether we are back in our buildings or distance learning, come September we will be providing our students with all resources needed to succeed. COVID-19 has derailed our traditional ways of teaching and learning, it has pushed us all to explore new and creative alternatives to reach our students and communicate with our families. We are fortunate to have such a wealth of digital resources available to us. It is extremely important that we take the time to provide our teachers with needed professional development on how to navigate these digital platforms as we prepare for what September may look like for us. We need to be able to transition from a school environment into a distance learning environment with minimal disruption.”

You’ve been in the district now for almost eight years. What has been the best part about working in this community? “Throughout the past eight years, the Portsmouth community has been welcoming and supportive. The best part about working in Portsmouth is that the education of our students is valued and cherished by the entire community. The dedication this community has to the education of the children and the enthusiasm that our students have to learn is one of a kind. The best part about advancing my career in Portsmouth is that I am able to continue my collaboration with the amazing families and students of this community. I have a deep connection to the work that has been done in our district and am excited to continue that work on a different level.”

You began your career in education over 20 years ago. What do you know now that you wish you knew then? “When I started my career as an educator and as a principal, I thought I had to know it all and do it all, in order to be successful. What I know now is that being a successful teacher and a successful leader requires you to get out of your comfort zone, take risks, ask questions, make mistakes, be a compassionate listener and a collaborative partner. But most importantly, always have the well-being and academic success of your students at the heart of every decision that you make.”

Did you always know that you wanted to pursue a career in education? “I knew I wanted to be an educator from the moment I walked into my kindergarten classroom and was greeted with such warmth and compassion. Growing up in a Portuguese household with two older sisters, my first language was the perfect blend of English with a sprinkle of Portuguese words in every sentence. I struggled through school in my primary years, working hard to manage both languages. It was the amazing teachers that I had and the impression that they left with me that made my decision to be an educator effortless. I knew I wanted to be that teacher that left a lasting impression with her students and families.”

What inspired you to go after a doctorate? “I believe in leading by example. As an educational leader, I ask my teachers to try new things, I encourage them to participate in professional development and to take courses to advance themselves. I knew that I wanted to advance my career and although I already had the necessary certifications, I felt it was important for me to have a deep understanding of best practices and current research. The coursework that I have completed at Northeastern has deepened my understanding of curriculum, teaching, learning, and leadership. As I enter the final dissertation phase, in July, I will be focusing on academic and social-emotional interventions through a multi-tiered system of supports. My research will be specific to the work that we’ve done in Portsmouth to support all our learners and the development of recommendations for the next steps to further develop the current structures.”

Growing up, what were some of your favorite subjects in school? “I loved everything about school, so it’s hard to pinpoint what subject was my favorite. To me, it was more about the level of engagement that my teachers provided. My favorite subject (class) was the one that provided me with the opportunity to be stimulated by the discussion, creative with my thoughts, and comfortable to ask questions that would push my thinking and add to my understanding of the content.”

How do you plan to spend the summer? “With a son becoming a senior and a daughter becoming a junior at Somerset Berkley Regional High School, I am well aware that my time with them is so precious. So, although I know that the bulk of my time this summer will be spent planning for our district’s reopening, I will spend every other moment with my family, enjoying the sun and appreciating what’s most important in life.”

What message do you have for students and families who may be struggling during this time? “I would say thank you for being amazing and for doing the very best you can each and every day! It is OK to feel unsettled during these times and about what school may be like in the fall; we are all feeling that way. But, be confident that if we continue to have an open line of communication, together we will get through this, and come out stronger and more united.”

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