Dr. Megan Farrell has been named permanent principal at the Oak Bluffs School.

Ms. Farrell stepped in as interim principal when Jack Rizzo suddenly resigned in December after less than a year on the job. Prior to that, she was the administrator for curriculum and support.

Vineyard schools superintendent Dr. Matthew D’Andrea said he saw evidence of Ms. Farrell’s positive influence on the school community from the beginning. During her time as interim principal, Ms. Farrell earned the trust of the staff and the community, he said.

“She’s creating a climate in the building that is positive and student-centric,” he said. “She works hard, listens, collaborates and makes decisions with kids in the forefront of the process.”

Ms. Farrell has advanced degrees in middle school education from Lesley University and as a reading specialist from Bridgewater State University. Last year she completed her doctorate in educational leadership from Northeastern University.

Originally from New Hampshire, she came to the Vineyard about 20 years ago and has been working at the Oak Bluffs School for 19 years.

“This is my community, these are my people, these are my kids,” she said of Oak Bluffs, where she lives. She has been a teacher and reading specialist, in addition to her more recent role as an administrator. Ms. Farrell praised the staff, teachers and the Oak Bluffs community for their dedication and said she is excited and honored to help lead the school.

She said she strongly supports the school’s responsive classroom philosophy which encourages habits of goodness, kindness and citizenship along with academic success.

Mr. D’Andrea said no outside applications were solicited for the position. He approached Ms. Farrell with the idea of taking the job permanently, and they reached a mutual agreement.

A letter went out to parents on Tuesday this week informing them of the appointment.

Mr. D’Andrea said Ms. Farrell’s commitment to the community is one of her strongest attributes.

“I’m confident they have a principal who is there for the long haul,” he said.