March 9, 2026 by Hingham Public Schools
Earlier this month, a screening team consisting of representatives from HPS administration, school committee, parents and staff interviewed prospective candidates for the next principal of Foster Elementary School. After a semi-finalist round of interviews and comprehensive reference checking, three finalists were invited for site visits during which candidates met with faculty, parents, students, HPS leadership and community members.
We are thrilled to announce that Heather Benner, C.A.G.S., has been selected as the next principal of Foster Elementary School.Ms. Benner’s role will officially commence on July 1st, allowing for overlap with retiring principal Matthew Scheufele. Ms. Benner is looking forward to visiting Foster and meeting with community members throughout the spring. Please join us in welcoming Principal Benner to our school community.
Heather Benner, C.A.G.S., currently serves as the Assistant Principal and Team Chair at Grace Farrar Cole Elementary School in Norwell, Massachusetts, a position she has held since 2017. During this time, she also served as Interim Principal from October through November 2022.
Ms. Benner began her career as a classroom teacher at PS 119 in the Bronx, New York, before joining Foster Elementary School in Hingham, where she taught grades one through three.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from James Madison University, a Master of Arts in Childhood Education from New York University, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership from Bridgewater State University.
Ms. Benner holds current certification from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as a Principal/Assistant Principal (PreK–6) with SEI Endorsement, and also holds licensure as a Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent, Special Education Administrator, and School Business Administrator.