As the school year begins on Sept. 8, the Island public schools have three new leaders, all moving in from off-Island. Jaime Curley is replacing Richard (“Richie”) Smith as the new Martha’s Vineyard Public Schools (MVYPS) superintendent. Bryan Lombardi is the incoming principal of Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS), succeeding Interim Principal Sean Mulvey. At the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School (MVPCS), Chris Nace is the new director, replacing Pete Steedman.

The Times sat down with each of these incoming educators to get a sense of who they are, their goals, and what’s in store for students in the 2026–27 school year. While none of the educators have experience on the Island, many have ties to the community here. All of them started their positions in midsummer, and have a few thoughts about the teaching styles they’re bringing to the table. 

Chris Nace on belonging to the charter school and beyond

The educational philosophy of Chris Nace, the new director at MVPCS, prioritizes persistence and gradual improvement over instant results.

“Learning is in draft form always. You’re rarely getting to a final product right out of the gate,” Nace said.

To teach students this, Nace pointed to the existing International Baccalaureate (IB) program at the Charter School, and his own background walking students through IB classes in Washington, D.C. The IB program is an internationally implemented curriculum that emphasizes student-driven education, global understanding, and critical thinking. The academically rigorous classes were first adopted by MVPCS in 2021 for high school juniors and seniors. 

“Through project-based learning and the IB model, we’re able to teach students about progress over perfection,” Nace said. 

Raised in Virginia, Nace, 36, who has cerebral palsy, reflected on the challenges that he faced as a student with a disability, and the ways those challenges inform his teaching style now. 

“I didn’t always have the same experiences and opportunities that other students have,” Nace said. “I definitely was limited in a lot of ways, which made school challenging, and I didn’t always have the support I needed in school.”

For Nace, the turning point came when one of his sixth-grade teachers took him to attend a meeting for his individualized educational plan — a specialized learning plan with accommodations made for a public school student with disabilities and learning challenges. 

“It was the first time I ever heard that I had cerebral palsy. I had no clue what that was, but it was an eye-opening experience,” Nace said. “It really was the first time that I understood what it meant to have my needs met, and what it meant to be able to have an open, honest conversation about having a disability, without it being negative or creating fear. That teacher really candidly changed my whole life and trajectory.” 

Now, Nace said that his cerebral palsy is “his favorite thing about himself.”

“Showing up as someone with a disability, I’m aware of both the burden and the opportunity,” Nace said. He added that cerebral palsy “allows me to see the world as someone who’s experienced challenges, but also through the lens of success in spite of those challenges.”

After graduating from George Mason University with a B.A. in government and international politics and an M.S. in conflict analysis and resolution, Nace also received his M.A. in secondary special education and transition services, with a concentration in autism spectrum disorder, from George Washington University. Currently, Nace is finishing a Ph.D. in education policy and leadership at George Mason University. 

Continue reading full article on the MV Times

And additional coverage on the Vineyard Gazette: “New School Year, New Faces”