MONTAGUE — With just a few weeks under her belt as the new Vice Principal of Turners Falls High School and Great Falls Middle School, Kathi Smith said is adjusting well. Previously, she was, since 2011, a special education teacher in the district.

Smith said she seeks to create a safe positive school atmosphere and feels her experience as a special education teacher in the middle school as well as ninth and tenth grade will be an asset.

“Some of the kids already know me, so that helps, I’m not usually in the office, I try to be out interacting with them,” Smith said. “I hope to be able to familiarize myself with the community, the stakeholders.”

Gill Montague School District Superintendent Michael Sullivan said Smith was selected by a search committee that reviewed over 25 candidates.

“Kathi has been a special education teacher in the district since 2011 and she is highly regarded by peers and parents as an excellent educator who puts the needs of students first,” Sullivan said. “I look forward to working with Kathi as a member of our administrative team and I believe she has a skill set well matched to serving the needs of our students and staff.”

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University and a Master’s in Education from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.

Principal Annie Leonard, said she is thrilled to have Smith as vice principal.