Hello Seymour Public Schools Community,
WOW, I cannot believe that we are already at Spring Break. I am certain that most of you are like me and are anxiously awaiting green grass, spring flowers and of course warmer weather. Spring is the perfect time for me and my Central Office Team to reach out and let you know about some of the wonderful things that have been growing all year throughout the district.
As a result of the recent extreme heat as well as with the winter season approaching, I feel like now is a good time to share with you how some of these decisions are made. I first want to reiterate that your children’s safety is always our number one priority.
Come meet Mr. Wilson and his Team!
It is now time for your nominations for Seymour’s Teacher of the Year 2018-19. Any staff member, parent, or student who feels that he/she would like to recognize an outstanding teacher, can do so now. Nominees should be teachers with at least five full years of experience in Seymour and must be teaching now at least 50% of the time. Former Seymour Teachers of the Year are not eligible. (Names of those so honored are attached to this letter).
June 11, 2019
We are very happy to welcome Mrs. Jodie Roden as our Seymour Middle School Principal and Mr. Kenneth Dunaj as our Seymour Middle School Assistant Principal.
Mrs. Roden is looking forward to joining the Seymour Public Schools. She began her career in education over twenty years ago as a middle school special education teacher with Waterbury Public Schools. She had the opportunity to work in a number of schools in Waterbury, the last of which was Regan Elementary School. She gained valuable experience as the Teaching Vice Principal and very much enjoyed her time as a first grade teacher, then literacy facilitator. She returned to her special education roots as she entered Region 14 as the Special Education Team Leader at Mitchell Elementary School. The following year, she was promoted to Principal of Mitchell Elementary School, where she will complete her tenure on June 30th. Mrs. Roden is fortunate to have a supportive family including a husband, three sons, and new puppy. Mrs. Roden says: “The reason I wake up every day is because of my commitment to always do what is best for my students…always.” Mrs. Roden is excited to meet her new Seymour Middle School family of students, staff and parents!
Mr. Kenneth Dunaj comes to us from the Wilton Public school system. After graduating from Fairfield University, with a B.A. in history and secondary education, he began his career as a classroom social studies teacher at Wilton High School. During his fifteen year tenure as a secondary classroom teacher, Mr. Dunaj engaged heterogeneously grouped students throughout the course of his teaching career. He consistently created a learning environment that allowed for a wide variety of instructional practices and personalized learning. Mr. Dunaj developed curriculum and instructed a wide variety of social studies and interdisciplinary courses while working as a teacher. One of Mr. Dunaj’s proudest achievements has been serving as the advisor to the award winning Wilton High School Model Congress. Mr. Dunaj pursued and earned an M.A. in American Studies at Fairfield University and a Sixth Year Certificate in Educational Leadership at Sacred Heart University. In 2017, Mr. Dunaj transitioned out of his classroom to become the Wilton High School Humanities Instructional Coach. While working as the High School Humanities Instructional Coach, he was also hired to be the high school Teacher in Charge. The High School Teacher in Charge supports the building administration’s daily management of the building and student safety and security. Mr. Dunaj is happily married and is the father of three children. His wife, Christina, is currently a school psychologist at Wilton High School. Mr. Dunaj and his family reside in Southbury Connecticut. We look forward to working with this great team!
Please welcome Mrs. Sherry Holmes as the Seymour Public Schools’ new business manager. Mrs. Holmes graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. Since then, she has spent 30 years practicing as a business manager in various settings; public schools, private schools and town. Mrs. Holmes prides herself in being very organized and efficient with numbers. She is capable of multitasking and remaining focused until each task is complete. She has had many years of practice where she has developed strong leadership capabilities. Being a business manager, it is her job to work collaboratively with the Superintendent and Board of Education to ensure proper care is being done when handling the education budget. Mrs. Holmes says “I also realize that being transparent with the budget will allow the community to be involved and understand the process itself. I look forward to serving Seymour’s Community in the years to come.”
