MONROE, Conn. — Stepney Elementary School Principal Ashley Furnari will now have someone to share the administrative workload, to take on more responsibilities at the busiest times and to be in charge of the building in her absence. A new assistant principal position was approved at budget time and the district recently made a hire.
Furnari introduced Stacia Piskura, an individualized education coordinator for the Easton-Redding, Region 9 School District who was chosen from among 120 applicants, during the Board of Education’s meeting on June 1.
“Ashley Furnari and her hiring team at Stepney were very impressed with everything that Stacia has shared throughout the entire hiring process,” Assistant Superintendent Sheila Casinelli said before Furnari addressed the board with Piskura at her side.
“It was a long journey, but I do feel like at the end of the journey we have the right person sitting next to me,” Furnari said.
Furnari said Piskura has everything the hiring team was looking for, someone with the ability to support students, teachers and special education, as well as having experience as an educational leader.
“I think we found our person,” Furnari said. “We are truly, truly excited to have her join the Stepney community. I’m already texting her ideas.”
Over the course of her career, Piskura has been a classroom teacher, special education teacher, and an elementary program facilitator, building extensive experience in teaching, student support, special education, and educational leadership, according to Furnari.
“As part of our selection process, we were looking for someone who could strengthen systems, bring deep expertise in special education, support teaching and learning, and help us continue the positive culture, climate, and relationships that make Stepney such a special place,” she wrote in an email before the board meeting.
“As we spoke with Stacia’s references, the same qualities surfaced repeatedly: calm, thoughtful, collaborative, and deeply relationship-driven,” Furnari wrote. “She was consistently described as someone who listens first, builds trust, and balances strong systems thinking with a genuine people-first approach, always keeping students at the center of her work. Stacia is a leader who believes deeply in children and leads with kindness, respect, and collaboration.”
“Please join me in giving Stacia a warm Stepney welcome,” Furnari wrote. “We are excited for the expertise, leadership, and positive energy she will bring to our school community.”
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