Superintendent Dr. Dinnall Creates Two New Assistant Superintendent Roles to Strengthen Teaching and Community Partnerships
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sonia Dinnall today announced the appointments of Terry Powe and Jose Escribano to newly created roles. Powe, currently principal of Brookings Elementary School, will serve as Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Development. Escribano, currently the district’s Chief of Family and Community Engagement, will serve as Assistant Superintendent of Community Engagement, Family Empowerment and Partnerships. Both are effective immediately.
“These appointments mark a historic shift for Springfield Public Schools,” said Dr. Dinnall. “For the first time, we are elevating both teaching and learning, and family and community partnership, to the assistant superintendent level. This strategic investment reflects our belief that strong instruction and strong relationships are equally essential to student success.”
About Terry Powe, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Development: Terry Powe began her career with Springfield Public Schools in 1998 as an elementary educator and has since held pivotal roles, including classroom teacher, literacy coach, district Literacy supervisor, and principal at Brookings Elementary School. Her leadership was instrumental in Brookings' turnaround from Level 4 to School of Recognition status, with MCAS progress increasing from five to 38 percent. As principal, she developed curriculum and instructional strategies that helped the school achieve 69 percent progress toward goals in 2024.
Powe holds a Master of Education from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Springfield College. She serves on the Board of Trustees for Springfield College and the Springfield Museums and is a member of the Elms College Advisory Council, where she continues to contribute her expertise in education and community engagement.
About Jose Escribano, Assistant Superintendent of Community Engagement, Family Empowerment and Partnerships: Jose Escribano began his career with Springfield Public Schools in 2011 as a school adjustment counselor and has since held several key leadership positions, including principal and assistant principal of elementary schools. Since April 2022, he has served as the district’s Chief of Family and Community Engagement, where he has led initiatives to strengthen family involvement, improve attendance, and foster community partnerships. Under his leadership, the district successfully resolved 985 parent concerns and brought in over $200,000 in grants to benefit SPS students.
Escribano has demonstrated a strong commitment to creating more equitable and accessible pathways for family engagement. He supervises the district's Adult Education Department, School Volunteers Program, District Attendance efforts, family liaisons, and The Springfield Parent Academy. His leadership has been instrumental in rewriting attendance policies, expanding volunteer tracking systems, reducing enrollment backlogs, and coordinating large-scale events like the Education Expo and Back-to-School celebration, which together draw thousands of families annually.
Escribano holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Cambridge College and a bachelor’s degree in political science from UMass Amherst. He has also been recognized with numerous awards, including the Amplify Latinx Award and the Latinx Excellence on the Hill Award. He currently serves on the boards of the Grit & Gratitude Wrestling Club, Families Against Violence, and the Western Massachusetts Food Bank, and contributes his expertise to several advisory committees focused on community and education.