Suzanne Mahoney (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)

The new principal for the Hildreth Elementary School (HES) is back in a familiar setting. Former elementary teacher Suzanne Mahoney has been chosen from a group of more than 20 applicants to serve as interim principal.

Superintendent Thomas Jefferson reported in July that “many excellent candidates” applied for the position. The screening committee narrowed the choice to three finalists, with Jefferson making the ultimate decision. He cited Mahoney’s familiarity with Massachusetts standards and also with the culture of HES as strong factors in her favor. “She can work well with the other teacher leaders at HES,” he said.

Mahoney began her teaching career at the Parkhurst School in Billerica. She came to Harvard in 1983, and over the next 18 years she taught second, third, and fifth grades. Mahoney left Harvard in 2001 to become assistant principal at the T.C. Passios Elementary School in Lunenberg. From 2003 until June 2010 she served as principal of the Lura A. White School in Shirley, which includes students from pre-kindergarten to fourth grade. She retired from that position in June.

Letters in support of her candidacy for the interim principalship describe Mahoney as “a teacher’s teacher,” who also continues to work directly with children whenever possible. In addition to her many administrative responsibilities in Shirley, she also established a Math Club for third- and fourth-grade students and encouraged student writing through a Writers’ Symposium and a school literary magazine.

In an interview Mahoney said of her visit back to HES, “When I went to the school, I went to see my old classroom, and a great feeling came over me. Some of the books I’d used were still there with my name in them . . . I feel like I’m coming home.”

Mahoney started work at HES July 14.

Note: This article first appeared here as breaking news on July 14.