Dr. Gomes explains how he became the “firm but fair” leader he is today—and his goals for ARHS

By 7 a.m., Dr. Marc Gomes is already at ARHS, beginning his morning rounds and assuming his new role as principal of a school that serves more than 800 students and over 100 staff. In addition to answering around 120 emails a day, checking up on bus duty, visiting classrooms, and walking the hallways, Gomes brings a personal understanding of student struggles to his leadership.

Long before becoming the principal of ARHS, Gomes was a student growing up in Springfield, Massachusetts. He attended Frederick Harris Elementary School, Kylie Middle School, and High School of Commerce, where he said he had a “super fun” high school experience.

But behind these good memories was a difficult period in his life that changed the way he viewed school. Gomes said his stepfather, whom he described as his “present father,” was hit by a car when he was in sixth grade. After the accident, Gomes’s stepfather remained in a coma for three years before passing away.

During that time, Gomes and his family lived in homeless shelters from sixth to 12th grade. School became a place where Gomes could feel safe and focus on something other than what was happening in his personal life.

He knew he could be provided with breakfast and lunch there, spend time with his friends, and stay after school for basketball, sometimes until 6 or 7 p.m., though he joked that he “wasn’t a good basketball player at all.” Gomes still remembers the teachers who helped him through that time.

“My teachers were great. That was the way for me to let go of my things at home,” he said.

Gomes eventually found another outlet through track. At the High School of Commerce, he competed as a sprinter and received numerous Division I and Division II scholarship offers. He attended Westfield State University, majoring in Liberal Studies: History, Criminal Justice, and Geography. His success on the track continued throughout college, where he set four official school records. Even years later, running remains part of his life. “I am a track guy,” he said.

Gomes did not originally expect his career to lead him into education. He was in the military and planned to become a Navy officer before an accident changed his plans, which led him back to Springfield as a substitute teacher. Though it started as something more temporary, he quickly realized how much he enjoyed working with students. His experience in the classroom showed him that education was somewhere he belonged.

“Students loved it, and that was kind of my aim; if you could kind of be yourself as a person and teach students what they need to be successful, it was a perfect match,” he said. From there, Gomes continued building his career in education, working as a teacher, dean of students, and graduation coach, and furthering his education before moving into school administration.

In 2012, he earned a master’s degree from American International College in Educational Leadership and Supervision, followed by a doctorate in 2017, also in Educational Leadership.

Dr. Gomes said he relies on the support of others in his field to grow as a leader. He is part of a professional principals group around the country. “I always network as much as possible. [I like] learning from others,” he said.

He also inspires others. Gomes also worked as a graduation coach at Central High School, where he supported students who were at risk of missing graduation and helped them cross the finish line. He later held leadership positions in Washington, D.C., Maryland, New York City, and Colorado before returning to Massachusetts. Those experiences gave him the opportunity to see the challenges students faced in different communities. “I understood what students need to be successful,” he said.

While students may already know Gomes as their principal, there is much more to him than just his role at the school. Gomes has a variety of interests that give a glimpse into his life beyond the school. As stated above, Gomes still enjoys track, although he describes himself as a sprinter rather than a distance runner.

He is also a fan of the San Francisco 49ers and Alabama college football. When he isn’t focused on sports, Gomes enjoys reading and listening to artists such as King Von and Pop Smoke.

Family is also an important part of his life. Gomes is one of eight siblings, with six brothers and two sisters, placing him right in the middle. He also has two sons, Kaiden, who is seven, and Amare, who is 16 and a junior in Springfield. “Those are my two babies. I get that a 16-year-old is not a baby, but he’s my baby,” he said.

Gomes, who described himself as firm but fair, said he has a few goals for the rest of his year at ARHS. “I want to try to make school exciting and fun for students,” he said, “not just a place where they have to come every single day.”