Taking Hamilton-Wenham Job 'Bittersweet' for Tracy

Eric Tracy is excited about what is ahead of him. But he can’t help but thinking about what he’s leaving behind.

Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School announced this week that it hired Tracy to take over as their principal, effective after the current school year.

“It’s a bittersweet thing for all of us,” said Tracy. “The kids have always been my favorite part about my job. They make every day very easy with the way they present themselves. I’ve always bragged that I can take them anywhere, and I still say that. They’re my energy that gets me through the days, and I always look forward to coming to work.”

Tracy said he enjoyed the interview process, as it allowed everyone involved to get a good idea if he would be a fit at Hamilton-Wenham. While his new employer got a sense of what he brought to the table, Tracy was also able to do the same for the district as he spent a day in their school.

In Wilmington, Tracy has been a fixture in the district’s quest for 21st century learning. That is what he most believes he’ll be able to bring to his new position.

“The things I have learned while working in Wilmington are things that are up and coming at Hamilton-Wenham,” said Tracy. “They have similar things like dealing with technology, so those things meshed very cleanly.”

According to Tracy, students were well aware throughout the process that there was a possibility he would be leaving the school. When it was announced that he was in fact selected for the job, he said many students came up to him in the hallway and congratulated him.

“They’re good, solid kids,” said Tracy. “That’ll be the hardest for me to leave behind.”