Westport Superintendent of Schools Elliott Landon said today he is recommending to the Board of Education that it appoint Melissa Paolini-Kay, currently principal of Coleytown Elementary School, as the new Bedford Middle School principal.
Melissa Paolini-Kay: “a passion for teaching.” WN file photo
Landon said in an e-mail to parents that the recommendation was made after “an extensive and exhaustive search.” He said the appointment would be effective July 1.
“Ms. Paolini-Kay brings to the position a passion for teaching and learning; a love for, and commitment to, children; (and) a broad and diverse knowledge of curriculum and instruction,” Landon said.
He said she had “a record of positive collaboration with parents and teachers in the operation of her current school” as well as “outstanding and successful leadership as a building principal in Westport.”
“I am certain that her tenure as principal of Bedford Middle School will serve our children well,” Landon said.
Cary Bell has been serving as interim principal of Bedford Middle School.
The Board of Education approved the appointment of Paolini-Kay as Coleytown Elementary School’s head in 2006.
She began her career as an educator for Westport schools.
A former math support and classroom teacher at Long Lots Elementary School for 10 years, she had served as assistant principal of Stratford Academy, a school for kindergarten through second grade.
Prior to Stratford Academy, she was an assistant principal at West Elementary School in New Canaan.
Paolin-Kay earned a sixth-year degree in educational administration at the University of Connecticut in Storrs and holds a masters in elementary education from Lesley College.
She also has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Boston University.
Paolini-Kay took over the reins at Coleytown following the retirement of Kaye May.
why is this being anounced when the vote is not till may 3- Dr Carry Bell should stay on as the leader of BMS for another year- the current grade seven deserves some continuity! a change of guard every year of their middle school years is not right – plus the kids adore him!!!