This year, when the bell rings and the school year begins at the Louise Davy Trahan Elementary School, there will be a different face in the principal’s office. That face, however, will still be very familiar.

This year, longtime teacher and Tewksbury resident Donna Mooney will be stepping out of the classroom and into the principal’s position at the Trahan. A dedicated teacher since she began her career in Everett in 1974, Mooney came to Tewksbury in 1985 to raise her own family.

After a brief hiatus from teaching, Mooney was back in the classroom in 1990 as teacher at the K – 6^th grade Trahan. Over the years Mooney has served as reading specialist, 1^st, 2^nd and 6^th grade teacher as well as Head Teacher at The Trahan. 

Since 1990 when Mooney started at The Trahan the grades have been reconfigured and education in general has changed but one thing remains very much the same. The Trahan is more like a second home than simply a school to Mooney. 

“This is my neighborhood and my own children went to The Trahan,” explained Mooney, “I love our little school.”

When the current principal announced his resignation and suggested that Mooney apply for the position she had a lot of mixed emotions, she said.

“I love being in the classroom teaching,” she said. “I had to think long and hard about moving into a full-time administrative position.”

Decision made, resume sent and interviews done, Mooney waited patiently to hear what the future would hold. 

“The call finally came that I had the position,” she remembered, “and once I caught my breath I accepted it.”

For Mooney, however, accepting the position as principal pales in comparison to accepting all the well wishes and support from the local community. 

“Ever since people learned that I will be principal of The Trahan in the fall, the support I have received has been amazing.  I feel so blessed to be a part of this community," she said.

Dedicated to elementary level education, Mooney may have changed positions but she has never wavered from her goals. 

“My goal has always been to remain in elementary education,” she explained. “I love to be able to foster that foundation in students.”

As for the 2011/2012 school year at the Trahan, Mooney looks forward to bringing her experience as a classroom teacher as well as a reading expert to all of the students at the school.

“I have a lot of ideas to help promote literacy at the Trahan,” she said. “And, of course, we need to focus on MCAS preparation.”

More than anything, Mooney looks forward to a chance to take her career to a new level and at the same time, remain at a school that she loves. 

“My career here has really come full circle,” she said. “When you really open yourself up to what life has to offer it can be absolutely amazing.”