Michael Knybel Chosen as New Principal of Hull High School

HULL -- Superintendent Judith Kuehn is pleased to announce that Michael Knybel has been chosen as the next principal of Hull High School.

Knybel was chosen after a rigorous selection process that included feedback from a wide variety of Hull Public Schools stakeholders.

“Mike’s references are outstanding and he is beloved by teachers, parents, students and community members. He has a proven track record of acting in the best interest of students, as he hears their voices and creates activities/electives/courses in the school based on what students dream while at the same time supporting his teachers,” Superintendent Kuehn said. “He comes from a small and close-knit school community, which is very similar to Hull High School, and is a perfect match to move HHS into the future. I am excited that we will have such a strong, talented leader to move our high school forward.”

Since 2011, Knybel has served as a middle and high school principal for the Lenox Public Schools. In these roles, he was responsible for collaborating with faculty, department heads and other committees to enhance site-based school improvement. Knybel enhanced site-based school improvement through site-based management; maintaining excellent communication with staff, parents and students using contemporary media sources; analyzing various data to facilitate positive change; implementing the new Massachusetts state teacher evaluation system; observing and evaluating professional staff, and more.

For the past eight years under Knybel’s leadership Lenox High School has been ranked in the top 5% of high schools in the United States by U.S. News & World Report.

Prior to his roles in Lenox, Knybel served for a year as a high school principal in the East Longmeadow Public Schools and before that was a high school assistant principal in East Longmeadow.

He has also served as a junior/senior high school assistant principal in the Ware Public Schools and an assistant principal in the Gill-Montague Regional School District.

He began his career in education as a music director at Cathedral High School in Springfield, responsible for instrumental and vocal ensembles, teaching music theory, and more; and as a band director for the Russell County Public Schools in Castlewood, Virginia.

"I'm excited to join the Blue and Gold at HHS," Knybel said. "I could tell through the interview process that Hull values relationships and collaboration. As a team of students, staff, faculty, parents and community members this is going to be a powerful ride with PRIDE!"

Knybel received his Bachelor of Arts in music education instrumental/music performance from Westfield State College, and his Master of Education in educational leadership and policy analysis from East Tennessee State University.