At Doherty Memorial High School, Dr. Razzaq brings over two decades of experience in education to her role as assistant principal. As a women in leadership, she represents the strength, dedication, and impact female leaders within our school community.

Through her work, she continues to foster an environment where students will always feel supported, challenged, and inspired to grow.

• Tell me about your background and the experiences that shaped who you are today, especially as a woman in leadership here at Doherty Memorial High School.

“I am the child of Palestinian immigrants, and that shaped who I am as a person and citizen of the world. I am a Gemini, while we sometimes get a bad rap, Geminis adapt well to new situations, and I feel that describes me, too. I embrace change. English is my first language, but I went to Middle and High School in Palestine, so I speak and read Arabic, as well.”

• What inspired you to enter the education system? How many years have you been working in education, and what roles have you held along the way?

“I always liked school and was always an avid reader. I went to college after having a family, and I needed a career path that was family friendly. I explored teaching in my early years at Worcester State, and it was a great fit. I never looked back. Worcester State gave me the tools I needed, along with many veteran Doherty teachers before me, to be a math teacher. I taught math from 2002 to 2023. In the fall of 2023, I left the math department and started my role as an assistant principal.”

• As an assistant principal, can you describe some aspects of your role here at DMHS and what your work looks like day‑to‑day?

“My day starts off with bus duty in the front of the building, Ms. Fife has bus duty near the gym. As a team, we make sure the buses are all here on time. If any are late, I call the transportation department to find out where the bus is, and how long it will be until it arrives. On days when all 10 large buses arrive on time, my morning has the potential to run smoothly, otherwise, things can get a bit hectic. From there, I check in with everyone’s favorite person, and the head of my team, Ms. Nodurft. She lets me know what issues need my immediate attention, and that usually dictates my mornings. When time allows, I check in with students and visit classrooms, too. Period 5, I, along with the other administrators, have lunch duty. While that is very busy, it is a great opportunity for me to see students and check in with them. After school, Ms. Kambosos, Mr. Staley and I are out by the buses again, to ensure all the students have a smooth dismissal. Tuesdays and Thursdays, I teach at Survey of Mathematics at Worcester State. On the other days of the week, I sometimes have students from all grades, stop by if they need additional math help. I enjoy that, because I get to meet new students, and I can keep my math skills sharp.”

• Who were the mentors, educators, or women leaders who have helped influence your career?

“Catherine Kabala was a math teacher at Doherty, she took me under her wing when I first started teaching. She has since retired, but I will be forever thankful for her support. Their are so many women leaders that have influenced me along the way. Ms. Kambosos and I share an office, and her experience has helped me navigate this new role. When I taught math, Mrs. O’Leary was instrumental in encouraging me to teach Calculus (Honors). She teaches AP Calculus and helped me design how I would teach the course and structure my lessons. Her and Mrs. Halfmann were also great confidants over the years. My advice to all career women, find great friends that you will learn from and laugh with. In my role as an assistant principal I share students with Ms. Dobson and Mr. Yiznitsky. I learn from them as well. There are too many people to thank, Doherty is truly a big family. The administration team, the school adjustment counselor team, guidance, climate and culture, and all of the teachers I have had the honor of working with all have shaped who I am as both a person and professional. I would like to give a shout out to Ms. Oriente, Ms. Selvetelli, Ms. Daley, Ms. Valentin and Ms. Richardson who I work with frequently each day to help support all of the students.”

• As a woman in school leadership, what challenges have you faced, and how have you worked to overcome them?

“A challenge I’ve faced is supporting students through complex situations while maintaining high expectations, but it has strengthened my commitment to building strong relationships with students and families”

• What values guide your leadership at Doherty Memorial High School, and how do they connect to the impact you continue to make?

“What guides my leadership is maintaining a safe environment for all students and staff, while learning. I also love to see students finding their passion, whether it is in writing for the school newspaper or playing a sport. We have a strong administration team with Mr. Staley, Mr. Bowler, Mr. Whalen, Mr. Capstick and Ms. Kambosos. We all work very well together and I enjoy sharing ideas with them and also learning from them.”

• What goals do you have for DMHS and for yourself as an assistant principal in the next few years?

“My goal is to continue supporting the students and staff of Doherty in building upon its reputation as a world-class school, and it will always be a source of pride for me—not only as a longtime member of this community for over two decades, but also as the parent of two Doherty graduates.”

• What do you appreciate most about the community, and what are you excited to improve or build?

“I appreciate the diversity and the strong sense of community. When I first starting teaching at Doherty, there was 1 student that spoke Arabic. Now, not only do you hear Arabic in our halls, but over 50 other languages are spoken at Doherty. I want to continue to develop that sense of belonging that I feel students have at Doherty, regardless of their background. While many come from different parts of the world, it is our shared commitment, pride, and sense of belonging that unite us, because here at Doherty, we are all Highlanders.”

• What achievements or moments in your career are you most proud of?

“I have been married for 35 years, I am proud of that. I have 2 adult successful children. I am a lifelong learner. I earned my PhD at 50. It is never too late.”

• What advice would you give to young women at DMHS who want to work in leadership roles?

“Work hard, nothing worth it comes easy. Being a leader means being a good listener, do a lot of listening. Do a lot of reading. Keep trying new things. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Make them, and learn from them, each time. Doing only what you are good at, and not pushing yourself, will not propel you to where you want to be.”

• How do you think representation of women in leadership roles influence the confidence, aspirations, and future goals of young female students here at Doherty?

“I think it is impactful. I am humbled by this and hope I do my part in inspiring young female students.”

• Is there a quote, belief, or guiding idea that reflects your leadership style?

“The best leaders inspire others to see their own potential and empower them to rise to it. This is not my quote, but I read this somewhere and it resonated with me.”

• Is there anything else you’d like the Doherty community to know about your work, mission, or vision? 

“I am the snow queen. I will always be the snow queen. I have been predicting snow days for decades. (This is a dig to you know who)”

As Dr.Razzaq continues her work at Doherty Memorial High School, her impact goes far beyond her title. As a woman in leadership, she serves as a powerful example of what dedication and perseverance can achieve. Through her commitment to her students and community, she leaves a lasting impression; one that inspires others to lead, grow, and believe in their own potential.