Photograph by Kathy De La Torre

Cullen Hewitt, who has been at Fisher Middle School for 15 years, six of them as principal, says retirement is bittersweet.

Fisher Middle School principal Cullen Hewitt retires in August

He'll be available for special projects

By Leigh Ann Maze

After a 34-year career in middle schools, Fisher Middle School principal Cullen Hewitt will officially retire on August 30.

"I survived it and I loved it," Hewitt said.

He said the timing was just right for him to retire, but luckily for the Los Gatos community, he isn't going far. In fact, he plans to stay right here in Los Gatos, where he has been a resident for the past 34 years. Hewitt plans to help on special projects, such as organizing community forums or assisting with facilities planning at the Los Gatos Union School District office on a part-time basis.

True to his Irish roots, Hewitt also inquired about working at Four Green Fields, a new Irish shop in downtown Los Gatos. He may also apply at Smith & Hawken. "Something like that would be fun to do as I move into my next career," he said, adding that he plans to fit in a few rounds of golf with Fisher vice principal Jim Silva. During the summer, Hewitt will help the school's new principal, Paul Alioto, prepare to take over in the fall.

While Hewitt, 60, looks forward to retirement, he said the change is bittersweet.

He says he won't miss the long hours, constant stress and pressure to keep the school running at its best and to meet the needs of everyone. However, there is plenty that he will miss.

Mostly, Hewitt will miss working with and talking to Fisher students. "Developing relationships with the students and having them feel that they can talk directly to the principal and that he's listening and he cares--that is the positive part of the job," he said. Hewitt will miss representing Fisher at sporting events, Dads' Club meetings, concerts, plays and other school events, as well as working with his staff and the extremely supportive Los Gatos community.

Hewitt will be missed, as well.

"Cullen is a true gentleman," said district superintendent Mary Ann Park. "When the chips are down and things are hot and heavy and there are a lot of issues on the table, he is always calm and kind and keeps his good sense about him."

When Hewitt graduated from UCLA in 1963, he was not sure what career he wanted to pursue. He joined the U.S. Navy where he became an officer. After he returned from the military, Hewitt began his long career in education, although he remained in the Naval Reserve for 22 years before retiring as a captain.

Hewitt worked at San Lorenzo Valley Junior High School in Felton for four years before being hired at Redwood Middle School in Saratoga. At Redwood, he worked as an English and history teacher, counselor and administrator during his 15 years there. He then went to work at Fisher for 15 years, where he was vice principal for nine years and principal for the past six.

Why did Hewitt choose to spend 34 years with middle school students?

"I love the kids; I love the age," he said. "By high school the students' values are pretty well set, but in middle school they still want guidance. You can still make them stop and analyze the choices they make. There is opportunity to make a positive impact on students' lives."

Some of Hewitt's fondest memories as he looks back on his career occurred at Fisher. One that sticks out in his mind was in the late 1980s, when Hewitt and a team of his Fisher colleagues went to the White House in Washington, D.C., to receive a National Distinguished School Award.

"Los Gatos is a special place to live and work and I have been fortunate enough to do both," Hewitt said.

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