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Wilton Picks New Principal For Cider Mill School

WILTON, Conn. – Jennifer Mitchell, a former program coordinator in the Greenwich Public Schools system, has been selected to lead Wilton’s Cider Mill School as its new principal, Wilton Superintendent Gary Richards announced Friday.

Educator Jennifer Mitchell will take over as principal of Wilton's Cider Mill School beginning Aug. 12.

Educator Jennifer Mitchell will take over as principal of Wilton's Cider Mill School beginning Aug. 12.

Photo Credit: Contributed

Mitchell, who has a doctorate in instructional leadership from Western Connecticut State University, will begin Aug. 12. She replaces longtime Principal Virginia “Ginny” Rico, who died June 26 after a long illness.

“As part of the recruitment process, the Cider Mill Principal Search Committee sought to find an energetic, reflective educational leader with a clear vision and understanding of best practices in curriculum, instruction and assessment,” Richards said in the announcement. “They also were looking for a warm and approachable individual who had a demonstrated track record of working effectively with students, teachers, parents and district colleagues. 

“We found such a leader, and we firmly believe that Dr. Mitchell’s professional experiences, training, strong interpersonal skills, and passionate commitment to improving learning for all students will be great assets to the strong, vibrant and positive learning community that exists at Cider Mill School,” Richards said.

For the past five years, Mitchell has served as the K-12 program coordinator for reading and language arts in Greenwich, Richards said. In this role, she oversaw the implementation of language arts curriculum, assessments and instruction, supported school-based improvement plans, led a large department of instructional leaders, and designed a variety of professional learning initiatives, Richards said.

Before arriving in Greenwich, Mitchell worked as a program coordinator, reading specialist and classroom teacher, Richards said.

Since 2008, Mitchell has worked as an adjunct professor in the educational psychology department at Western Connecticut State University.

After graduating from the University of Connecticut, Mitchell earned a master’s degree from Sacred Heart University. She went on to receive a sixth-year professional certificate in reading and language arts from Central Connecticut University before earning her doctorate.

“I greatly look forward to leading and nurturing the vital learning community at Cider Mill School,” Mitchell said in the announcement.

“I am also excited about meeting and working with the greater school community and personally getting to know the families of Cider Mill School," she continued. "Our common charge will be to move forward thoughtfully, and, with the best interests of our learners in our hearts.”

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