Jeannine Nota-Masse doesn’t think of teaching as a job. For her, the educational field is a calling – one that is personal, and which she has answered.

Her passion for Cranston Public Schools is palpable. She started her career as an English teacher in Providence schools, and then went on to be an assistant principal at Cranston High School East.

She left Cranston briefly to serve as principal of East Greenwich High School, but in August 2010 returned to Cranston to serve as executive director of educational programs and services. From there, she spent three years as assistant superintendent under Dr. Judith Lundsten. In July of this year, she officially became the new superintendent of Cranston’s schools.

Nota-Masse looks at so many aspects of the district as assets, such as its traditions and diversity. She knows, however, that she and the district must be open to evolving.

“Everything I do is very personal. My son is in elementary school in Cranston. Everything I do impacts him, now and down the road,” she said.

The new superintendent acknowledged all the talented teachers, faculty and staff members in Cranston, saying she knows they are anxious to make the district better.

“We have a phenomenal team here in the Briggs building. We all work together so well. I have a lot of respect for them, they are all experts in their fields,” she said.

In the immediate term, Nota-Masse has set three specific goals. Her first is to improve facilities using state dollars, and the School Committee has committed $2 million for capital improvements.

The second is to improve technology in the schools.

“Children need the skills to learn. They are digital natives, they are way more confident than adults,” she said.

Lastly, she wants to increase and improve the communication between families, schools and central administration by developing a Facebook page (Cranston Public School Department) and Twitter account (@CranstonSchools) for the district. The Twitter feed can also be found on the district’s website, cpsed.net.

“We are trying to reach every household by offering several different opportunities to get information,” she said.

Nota-Masse is focused on addressing the concerns she hears throughout the district – all schools updating websites with current information, schools providing class supply lists in a timely manner, and related issues.

“The more we can communicate, the more people will understand what we are trying to accomplish,” she said. “I know I will never please everyone. With a district this size, that is impossible. But I will always listen to concerns, consider all opinions and have an open mind when it comes to change.”

Nota-Masse has an ambitious vision for Cranston students, given the way education and the economy have changed in recent decades.

“I want these kids to be 21st-century learners. We cannot expect kids to learn the way were taught and then expect them to face society and the future prepared for jobs that we honestly don’t even know exist,” she said.

The superintendent wants students to find their passion, and to be able to be happy.

“They should be able to learn new things as presented, and we need to be flexible in our approaches to teaching new tasks,” she said.

In Nota-Masse’s mind, the kids are the best part of the district. She knows the importance of forming strong, long-term partnerships between the schools and parents and guardians is key to every student being successful.

“I love being in the buildings, seeing the teachers and students engaged, having fun,” she said.

Taking advice from her predecessors and colleagues, Peter Nero – who retired from Cranston in 2012 – and Lundsten both told her to get a thick skin.

“It is hard not to take things personally, but you have to let some things go,” she said.

Lundsten also told her successor to always take the high road. When weather caused power outages throughout the city, Nero’s advice – “be ready for everything, and you cannot prepare for anything” – proved particularly apt.

“I never thought I would have to cancel school in August, never mind for two days,” Nota-Masse said.

She views her relationship with the Cranston Teachers’ Alliance (CTA) as positive.

“We have a solid line of open communication. I am excited to move the district forward with these talented educators. It is our responsibility and commitment to make sure all our students graduate with the skills needed to be successful and happy,” she said.

Nota-Masse is also encouraged by her relationship with Mayor Allan Fung, who was a Classical High School classmate.

“We have known each other for a long time. We get along well, and there is a good level of respect between the two of us. I expect him to give me everything I ask for the schools,” she joked.

Michael Traficante – a longtime school committee member and former teacher, principal and mayor – spoke very highly of Nota-Masse and her experience.

“Within a very short period of time, I have witnessed a very enthusiastic, energetic, extremely capable and effective school district leader,” he said. “She has hit the ground running full stride by tackling the long-term all-day K and sixth grade relocation issues for 2016-2017. She has already put in place the all-day K four-classroom initiative for this school year. Based upon my observations of her work ethic, the Cranston school department has a bright future with an extremely visionary superintendent.”

The superintendent is also working to develop the new incarnations of the elementary instructional music and middle school sports programs.

Nota-Masse said she is careful to balance her home life with her professional responsibilities.

“If I’m at the supermarket, out to dinner, or at the ball field watching my son play, I don’t try to hide or shy away from people, but I tell them you have five minutes, then my family gets my full attention back,” she said.

When she was assistant superintendent, Nota Masse worked hard to bring the A.L.I.C.E. – alert, lockdown, inform, counter, evacuate – program to Cranston in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook tragedy. All new teacher hires, new kindergarten students, and anyone else who has not gone through the A.L.I.C.E. training will do so.

“In the short time that I have worked with Jeanine, I have seen genuine enthusiasm and energy for the work, an openness and transparency and an approachability,” Ward 6 committee member Dan Wall said. “I know this is a small sampling, but have to say that I am very impressed.”

Nota-Masse is confident in the solid curriculum for students at all levels, and she knows there is quality instruction in Cranston schools as well.

“I know we have some work to do, but I believe our schools have been ahead of other districts in our commitment to professional development for our staff in the areas of instructional practices,” she said.

Nota-Masse said she wants people to know how important she takes her new role, and how strongly she feels about the district.

“It is imperative that everyone knows I am not a three-and-out,” she said. “I am committed to the long-term investment and want to bring the glory back to Cranston.”