• Named the Outstanding Elementary School of the Year for 2019-2020 by the Connecticut Association of Schools. Selection was based on the school’s ability to provide an educational program conducive to meeting the needs of all its students both during and after school, illustrate that the educational programs are consistently being reviewed and improved, demonstrate an active role in the community and exhibit evidence of parent involvement.

• Article, “Why Differentiating Instruction Should Be at the Top of Your School Improvement Plan”, was published in the May 2009 edition of Diverse Learning Communities Today, an on-line publication of NAESP (National Association of Elementary School Principals).

• Awarded an “A” on the Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now (ConnCAN) School Report Card after posting the fourteenth highest student performance gains in Connecticut. The cohort data from 610 elementary schools measured CMT results between the 2006 and 2007 school years. As a result of this accomplishment, the State Education Resource Center (SERC) asked our school to participate in a study on leadership practices that have increased student achievement.

• Received the Exemplary Principal Program Award for Special Education in 2006 from the Connecticut Association of Schools. This award recognizes outstanding leadership by a Connecticut principal or assistant principal in the area of special education.

• Named the Outstanding Elementary School of the Year for the 2002-2003 school year by the Connecticut Association of Schools.

West Hill Elementary School, Grades PK-3, Rocky Hill, CT

Principal, 2012 - Present

• Responsible for all aspects of the elementary school program – including budget, special education, scheduling, evaluating and hiring staff, planning professional development, and communication with all stakeholder groups.
• Member of the district’s Curriculum, SRBI, Data Team, and Professional Development committees.
• SIIP Team Participant; Hosted visit from Superintendents’ Network.
• Facilitated the development of the School Improvement Plan.

Saint Joseph College, School of Education, West Hartford, CT

Adjunct Instructor, 2012-2013

• Taught course EDUC 521: Action Research
• Taught course SPEC 544: Social Skill Interventions

Dr. Thomas S. O’Connell Elementary School, Grades K-6, East Hartford, CT

Principal, 2005 - 2012

• Responsible for all aspects of the elementary school program, including budget, special education, scheduling, evaluating and hiring staff, planning professional development workshops, curriculum development, and communication with all stakeholder groups.
• Developed multiple reading and mathematics intervention programs for at-risk students.
• Facilitated the implementation of district initiatives such as PBIS, EIP, Data-Driven Decision Making/Data Teams, Classroom Walkthroughs and Responsive Classroom.
• Member of the district’s Curriculum Committee.
• Oversaw one of three district programs for children with autism. 

Polk Elementary School, Grades 3-5, Watertown, CT

Principal, 2000-2005

• Responsible for all aspects of the elementary school program, including collaboration with district staff and contractors during a major building project.
• Authored 12 articles that appeared in the Town Times Newspaper.
• Chaired the Policy Section of the district’s Educational Technology Plan
• Co-chaired Strategy 5 of the district’s Strategic Plan.
• Served as the District Coordinator of Physical Education from 2000-2004.
• In partnership with the Connecticut Dance Theatre, received a three-year grant from the Waterbury Foundation to develop an interdisciplinary physical education/dance curriculum.
• Utilized business and community partnerships to establish after-school enrichment activities for at-risk students as well as students identified as talented and gifted.

Saint Edward School, PK-Grade 8, Stafford Springs, CT

Assistant Principal, 1997-2000

• Facilitated and planned in-service programs for staff, led faculty meetings, conducted teacher evaluations, and interviewed potential teaching candidates.
• Assisted in preparing the budget, writing grants, accreditation, evaluating textbooks, student discipline and scheduling classes.
• Created a technology plan that networked 48 computers to a LAN.  Secured grant funding to provide for basic cable television in each classroom. 

Saint Edward School, PK-Grade 8, Stafford Springs, CT

Elementary Instructor, 1995-2000

• Team teacher for 5th through 8th grade mathematics program and instructed literature-based reading and vocabulary development for 6th grade homeroom.
• Implemented an advanced mathematics program for gifted 7th and 8th grade students.
• Organized and coordinated community service projects to advance the school’s mission.

Saint Edward School, PK-Grade 8, Stafford Springs, CT

Athletic Director, 1995-2000

• Added hiking, karate, cross-country, floor hockey, and instructional basketball to existing sports programs.
• Planned and chaperoned yearly 3-day educational trip to Mt. Washington, NH.
• Established school/business partnerships with the Hartford Whalers and Hartford WolfPack professional hockey teams.

Rockville High School, Vernon, CT 

Adjunct General Science/Health Instructor, 1995-1997

• General Science and Health teacher in the Graduate Diploma Program.
• Helped develop Goals 2000; a curriculum development program aimed at increasing standards and assisting the transition from school to work.

Connecticut:      

• Initial Educator: Superintendent of Schools (093)
• Professional Educator: Intermediate Administrator/Supervisor (092)
• Provisional Educator: Elementary, Grades K-6 (013)