Former assistant superintendent Dr. Nadene B. Stein receives Hero Award for contributions to Waltham community

Waltham resident Dr. Nadene B. Stein is set to receive a Hero Award from the Waltham Democratic City Committee on May 3. “It’s kind of embarrassing in a nice way,” Stein said. “I love what I do, so I don’t need to be recognized for it, but I’m very excited about it.”

Stein has lived in Waltham since 2001, and has since become involved in many community organizations and served as both a principal and assistant superintendent within the Waltham Public Schools. She is being recognized for her exceptional service and leadership within the community.

A passion for education

Stein has never shied away from a degree. She holds a bachelor’s in English and a master’s in elementary education from Boston University, as well as a master’s in special education from UMass Boston and a PhD in educational leadership from Lesley University. Her dissertation was on the topic of how principals can help support teachers who are helping students who have English as a second language learn how to read. 

She has brought this expertise to Waltham Public Schools, starting as principal of Northeast Elementary School in 2001. Stein still gets together with teachers from her time at the school to have dinner and discuss what’s going on in their lives. 

“It sounds cliche, but it really is a family,” Stein said. 

During her time there, she instituted weekly school-wide meetings where all students and teachers gathered to hear announcements, recognitions and watch student performances. In 2016, Stein became the assistant superintendent of pupil services, a position she retired from this December. 

One of her proudest achievements is the annual Parenting Awareness Conference that the school department has been holding for seven years. Speakers come to the conference and educate parents on topics such as mental health, nutrition and concussion awareness. 

Stein plays baritone horn in her free time, and played with the Northeast band as well as the Waltham High School band during her time at WPS. She currently plays with the Boston University Concert Band.

Dedication to community service

Stein has always been involved in her community. 

“My community is a great place to live and I need to be a part of that. And that’s why I do what I do,” said Stein. 

When she lived in Boston, she went through a treacherous bureaucratic process to get on her local democratic city committee. In Waltham, she found that things ran a little bit differently after attending her first WDCC meeting. 

“At the end of the meeting I went up to Robert Logan, who used to be chair of the committee. He asked me if I was interested in being on the committee,” she said. When she said yes, Logan told her she had a spot. “It was so welcoming, so easy to get involved,” Stein said. 

She is currently one of two vice chairs of the committee, a position she recently resumed after a four-year hiatus. Stein has attended numerous local and national conventions on a variety of issues, and works to get community members involved and volunteering with the organization. Additionally, Stein is the president of the board of both Healthy Waltham and Waltham Land Trust.

Stein doesn’t do what she does for the recognition, so an award was unexpected for her. 

“I’m very honored and very touched,” she said. 

Stein will be recognized for her achievements alongside others at a Heroes Award Luncheon on May 3. While she may be in the spotlight, Stein also acknowledges the work of others in the community. 

“There are a ton of other people who could be recognized also,” Stein said. “We’re very lucky in this community that we have people who continue to do things day in and day out to make this place such a great place to live.”