Duffy Curriculum Specialist to Become Assistant Principal in Farmington

The Farmington Board of Education approved the appointment of Teresa Giolito as assistant principal of West Woods Upper Elementary School at the board meeting Tuesday night.

Giolito, a former classroom teacher and currently the curriculum specialist at Duffy Elementary School in West Hartford, will replace Meg Evans, who resigned in August. Giolito was chosen from a pool of 102 candidates after a nationwide search. 

“We are pleased to welcome a skilled instructional leader and staff developer to Farmington," said Superintendent Kathleen Greider in a press release. "Teresa’s background as a curriculum writer and knowledge of instructional best practices will be assets to West Woods Upper Elementary School as the school continues to implement the district’s goals as well as the new Common Core State Standards."

Greider also said the interview process revealed Giolito already embraced the district's goals.

"Throughout the interview process, Teresa stressed the importance of building strong relationships with students, faculty, parents and the community,” Greider said.  

West Woods Principal Alicia Bowman also welcomed Giolito.

“West Woods will continue to flourish with Teresa Giolito's leadership.  With her extensive background in curriculum and instruction at the upper elementary level and student-centered approach, Teresa is the right fit for our team,” Bowman said.

In her current role at Duffy School, Giolito has worked to support over 40 staff members in the areas of curriculum, professional development and instruction, according to the press release. As she did in West Hartford, Farmington administrators expect Giolito will be an asset in preparing for the switch to the Common Core State Standards. 

She also has spent more than 15 years in classroom teaching at the intermediate level in both urban and suburban settings.

Giolito earned her sixth year diploma in Educational Leadership from Central Connecticut State University.  In addition, she earned a Master’s Degree in Reading and her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Central Connecticut State University.