MONROE, CT — Sheila Casinelli, an educator with the Monroe school district for 16 years, has been promoted to assistant superintendent. She will start her new position on July 1.
The position opened up following the retirement of longtime administrator Jack Ceccolini. Superintendent Joseph Kobza expressed confidence and support for Casinelli’s appointment in a press release announcing the hire.
“Sheila is a respected leader throughout the district,” Kobza said. “She knows the staff and the curriculum well, which will ultimately benefit all students in the Monroe schools. She brings an insight and wealth of ideas into her new role.”
Casinelli, who currently serves as director of Instruction and Professional Development for the district, has 30 years of experience in education. Her first job was as an elementary school teacher in Greenwich.
She first came to the Monroe school district in 2006, when she was hired as principal of Fawn Hollow Elementary School. She entered her current position as the district’s director of Instruction and Professional Development three years later.
Among her many duties as director, Casinelli oversees coordination of K-5 curriculum, chairs the district Curriculum Council and develops and implements professional development for Monroe School District staff.
Along with implementing the Teacher Evaluation program, Casinelli attained significant funds for the school district through grant writing and has overseen the districtwide DaVinci Festival, according to the press release.
“I am humbled and so grateful to the Search Committee to be considered for the position of assistant superintendent with the Monroe public schools,” she said. “Having worked in the town for that past 16 years, I have come to love the community, the students, and families, along with the staff I have had the good fortune to work with.”
In her new role, Casinelli said working closely with Kobza “to do what’s right for the students of Monroe is something I am excited to be a part of.”
“I will be spending the next few months closing up the school year in my current role as director of Instruction and Professional Development while learning as much as I can from our current Assistant Superintendent Jack Ceccolini,” she said. “I love Monroe and I will do everything in my power to live up to expectations.”
“This is such a logical transition for Sheila as she has experienced many of the responsibilities of the role of assistant superintendent over the years through her current position,” Ceccolini said. “Her strength in elementary education will continue to serve the district well as the assistant superintendent.”
Casinelli was chosen by the Assistant Superintendent Interview Committee, made up of administrators, teachers, parents and Board of Education members. Negotiations are currently underway for her contract and new salary.
Casinelli’s education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in early childhood education, a Master’s degree in remedial reading and remedial language arts and her Sixth Year Degree in intermediate administration and supervision from Southern Connecticut State University. She earned her Superintendent Certification from the University of Connecticut.
After teaching in Greenwich for five years early in her career, Casinelli accepted a teaching position with the New Canaan Public School District. Three years later she transitioned to the position of reading consultant with the Fairfield Public School District.
In 2003, Casinelli entered the field of educational leadership as the assistant principal of Cider Mill School in Wilton, where she served for three years before coming to Monroe.
