The Edgecomb School Committee welcomed Dr. Christina Boursaw as Edgecomb Eddy School principal earlier this month. She replaces Ira Michaud who served four years. Boursaw begins her two-year contract with a starting $90,000 salary on July 1.

“I’m really, really excited,” said Boursaw.  “I’ve been able to meet some of the teachers and staff and get to know a little more about the community. Everyone has been incredibly kind.”

Boursaw has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from California Baptist University, a master’s in education from National University in San Diego and a doctorate in educational leadership from University of Redlands. She has about two decades of teaching experience with all elementary school grades and upper-level social studies. Boursaw also has served in several administrative jobs, most recently principal of Arroyo Verde Elementary School in California. 

Boursaw and her family decided to move to Maine after her son enrolled in Colby College in Waterville. They were waiting until their daughter graduated high school but moved earlier when everything went remote due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Boursaw worked a year in Bath-based Regional School Unit 1 to familiarize herself with the state community. She considered continuing to teach instead of going back into administrative work but was drawn by Edgecomb Eddy’s advertisement. 

“We drove by the school and my husband was like ‘Oh great you’re going to apply’ and I said ‘I have to. It looks amazing,’” recalled Boursaw.

Since moving to Maine in October, Boursaw has enjoyed being out in nature and experiencing the seasons. She also has felt welcomed by the community and is excited to build relationships within the school.

Her favorite thing about teaching is the relationships with the students and families, she said. “Kindergarten is special because it’s (students’) first entry into school, and I’ve been lucky enough to work in small communities. So, I’ve been able to teach them in kindergarten and keep in touch as they grew up. That’s been an amazing experience to go through that with families.”

This level of connection has been hard in the pandemic, but Boursaw hopes the lifting restrictions and her experience teaching this past year will help her. “I believe, wholeheartedly, that a principal is a support position, so you’re there to serve the community, to serve your teachers and staff, to serve students. I’m just trying to figure out what they need from me and how to provide that. I’m really excited and happy and fortunate that they chose me.”