School removes ‘interim’ tag for new principal

After being hired in May as interim principal of Marion L. Steele High School, 450 Washington St. in Amherst, and now Joe Tellier has been named principal.

During a special meeting Oct. 29, the Amherst Exempted Village School Board unanimously approved Tellier’s three-year contract with and removed interim from his title.

“Mr. Tellier quickly displayed the effective leadership we sought in a principal this school year, and we wanted to recognize that by removing his ‘interim’ tag,” Superintendent Steven Sayers said in a news release. “His experience and clear dedication to our students, faculty, staff and community atlarge make him an ideal fit.”

Although his title may have changed, Tellier said there won’t be much changing on his end.

“It’s honestly been great,” he said of his experience thus far at Steele High. “I don’t believe anything will change, just the titled has changed. But, I’ve hit the ground running and have

already been doing what needs to be done.”

Tellier previously served 22 years with Vermilion Local Schools, first as as math and English teacher, then as an assistant principal at Vermilion High School, 1250 Sanford St., for six years.

His wife, Michelle Tellier, teaches in the school district and his six daughters attend Amherst schools, which he said make’s his decision to leave Vermilion “an easier decision to make.”

Over the next three years, Tellier said he plans to work with stakeholders, parents, students and staff to have a plan for every student, whether they’re going to the military, to college or if they’re going straight into the workforce.