Mary N. Almeida’s quick ascension within Rotary International circles came as no surprise to anyone. Last week, she continued her rise to prominence when she became the Warren-Barrington Rotary Club’s new president for 2016-2017 during installation ceremonies at the Wharf Tavern.

Other officers installed included Louis Rego of Warren, president-elect; Theresa Santoro of Bristol, vice president; Tim Pray of Bristol, secretary; Ray Parker of Barrington, treasurer; and Mary Moreira of Bristol, sergeant at arms. Installing officer was Rotary past President Mary Ann Sousa.

Barrington’s Domenic Carbone, who served as Warren-Barrington Rotary Club president this past year, was also recognized for his unselfish contributions and dedication to the club.

A member of Rotary since 2006, Mary Almeida is well respected, not only within the Rotary community, but as an administrator in the Bristol Warren Regional School District, where she serves as the director of literacy and Title 1.

Although a relative newcomer to Rotary, Ms. Almeida was warmly welcomed by members of the Warren-Barrington Club right from the get-go.

“In 2010,” she said, “I reached out to the Warren Rotary to provide some funding for a summer literacy project and was graciously invited to became a Rotarian. I genuinely consider this to be an honor, and for the last six years as a Rotarian, have enjoyed volunteering on numerous community service projects to support individual families and organizations.”

In addition to Rotary, Ms. Almeida has enjoyed volunteering as an advisory board member of the Bristol Warren Education Foundation (BWEF) for the past six years.

“This past year,” she said, “I became the secretary for the Community String Project (CSP). From my personal perspective, all three organizations have been extremely valuable in helping to enrich the lives of our students, families, and all members of our school community.”

According to Bristol Warren Education Foundation past board of directors’ chairman, Jock Hayes, Mary has led by example.

“Over the past six years,” he said, “I have worked closely with Mary on a number of local, education-based initiatives, most notably work done through the Bristol Warren Education Foundation (BWEF). In her role as an advisory board member with BWEF, Mary has been a tireless advocate for student achievement in our community. I have learned a great deal working alongside Mary and have long admired her steady, measured and persistent pursuit of educational excellence for all local students. The Barrington/Warren Rotary is fortunate to have leadership of this caliber.”

Born in Sao Miguel, the Azores, Ms. Almeida immigrated at the age of three with her parents to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. She lived there for eight years before moving to Bristol. She attended St. Elizabeth’s School and later graduated from Bristol High School in 1975.

Ms. Almeida is a1979 graduate of Southeastern Massachusetts University (Now, UMASS-Dartmouth) with a B.A. in English, Portuguese, and Secondary Education.

“My dream was to be a high school English teacher, but a position at the secondary level in English and history were scare during the late 70s and early 80s,” she said.

Upon graduating from SMU, she was hired for one year as an ELL teacher for the Warren School Department and continued for a long-term substitute teacher. She later earned an M.A. degree in reading/literacy from RI College in 1989, and from 1989 to 1995 worked as a reading specialist/consultant for Warren schools, and in 1992 after regionalization for the Bristol Warren Regional School District. She also became a second grade teacher at Main Street and Hugh Cole School.

“During this time,” she said, “I was involved with numerous leadership opportunities at the school and district level which lead to my decision to pursue a degree in administration and become a school principal.”

In 2007, Ms. Almeida graduated with a second M.A. in educational leadership from RI College and the following year, became the Hugh Cole School assistant principal. In 2009, she was given the opportunity to apply for her current administrative position as the Director of Literacy and Title 1.

“As with my previous experiences in education,” she continued, “there have been some challenges, as well as incredible opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. I consider myself most fortunate and blessed to have had the privilege of teaching and working with the students and families of these two great communities, Bristol and Warren.”

Concurrently, Ms. Almeida is excited at the prospect of leading the Warren-Barrington Rotary Club with great enthusiasm and purpose, including increasing club membership.

“I look forward to my year ahead as president of this great club,” she offered. “Fortuitously, as good fortune would have it, I am proud to say that my dear friend and cousin, Mary Jo Fidalgo Tavares, will also be serving as the President of the Bristol Rotary.”