ELP 2025-2026 Cohort

Vincent Balsamo

Erin Clark

Erin Clark serves as principal of Enfield High School, overseeing a community of over 1,400 students. She has led the development of professional learning communities (PLCs), expanded opportunities for teacher leadership, and facilitated meaningful stakeholder engagement. She leads educator leadership teams focused on school improvement and promoting equity, as well as student and parent advisory groups, to ensure diverse voices inform school decision-making. Her professional learning initiatives have addressed topics such as artificial intelligence in education, culturally responsive teaching, and emotional intelligence. At the district level, Clark has contributed to initiatives promoting equity, curriculum alignment, teacher evaluation, professional development, and strategic planning. A former social studies teacher and assistant principal, she holds a 6th Year diploma in educational leadership, a master’s degree in education, and a bachelor’s degree in history, all from the University of Connecticut.

 

Joseph “Joe” Corso

 

Shawn Cyr

 

Timothy R. Goodwin

Timothy R. Goodwin is the founding executive director of Community First School Inc., bringing 35 years of experience in education, including 23 years as a teacher and principal and 12 years leading education nonprofits in Hartford, Connecticut. As principal of the Culinary Arts Academy at Weaver High School, he led initiatives that improved enrollment, reading and math scores, attendance, and reduced behavioral referrals. He has developed partnerships with Hartford and Simsbury Public Schools, Yale, Quinnipiac, and the Aetna Foundation to advance hands-on learning. As founding executive director of Hartford Youth Scholars, he established a 26-month academic enrichment program serving hundreds of Hartford families. In 2020, he opened Community First School in the North Hartford Promise Zone, a relationship- and place-based elementary model. Now in its fifth year, the school boasts high attendance, individualized learning plans, and strong academic growth. Goodwin holds degrees from Springfield College and Quinnipiac University and is currently enrolled in University of Connecticut’s Executive Leadership Program.

 

Brian Greenleaf

Brian Greenleaf joined EASTCONN as the chief financial officer after over a decade of experience working in the Connecticut schools to transform back-office operations with a focus on alignment with the organizational mission. Prior to joining EASTCONN, Greenleaf had two stints working at the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC), first in finance and later in school construction roles. Between his roles at CREC, he was the director of finance and operations for the Ellington Public Schools. Starting his career as a teacher, Greenleaf understands the need to maximize the in-classroom benefit of the financial resources available. Greenleaf holds a bachelor’s degree from Hamilton College and dual master’s degrees in business administration and public policy and administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Mark Hedrick

After Mark Hedrick’s service in the military, he started his education career in 1995 as a paraprofessional in a kindergarten classroom. From there, he has held nearly every role in a school system, ranging from classroom teacher to assistant teacher to director. He considers himself a lifelong learner and wants to help develop other educators as leaders.

Stacey Heiligenthaler

Stacey Heiligenthaler is the chief officer of special education and student supports in Greenwich Public Schools, overseeing programs that aid students with diverse needs. With a strong dedication to educational equity, she advocates for inclusive practices that improve learning experiences for all, especially students with special needs. Her academic background includes dual bachelor’s degrees in intensive special needs and psychology from Boston University, a master’s degree in human development focusing on elementary education and cross-cultural language from Pacific Oaks College, and a master’s in legal studies from Santa Barbara College of Law. She earned a Ph.D. in organizational systems from Saybrook University, specializing in universal design for learning (UDL) and how educational systems need to work together to serve all students. Heiligenthaler’s career reflects her visionary leadership and commitment to building inclusive, supportive education environments.

 

Mykal Kuslis

Mykal Kuslis is currently the principal of Nonnewaug High School in Woodbury, Connecticut. Previously, he worked as an assistant principal at Bullard-Havens Technical High School in Bridgeport, as a health teacher/dean of students at Ridgefield High School, and as a health/physical education teacher at Platt Technical High School in Milford. He also serves as an infantry captain in the Connecticut Army National Guard, having served for the past 12 years. He most recently completed his doctorate in instructional leadership at Western Connecticut State University, with a dissertation that focused on teacher wellness and burnout. He owns and operates a family farm in Watertown, Connecticut, which has been in operation since 1937. What he is most proud of, though, is being a father to his two wonderful children, Jack, 8, and Nora 6. His wife, Britany, who is an English teacher at Kaynor Tech in Waterbury, is the cornerstone of their family, and they celebrated their 10th anniversary this July 2025.

Michael Luzietti

Michael Luzietti is starting his 12th year as the proud principal of Latimer Lane Elementary School. Following two years in New Hartford, he returned to Simsbury, where he had previously taught for 11 years. As an administrator in the town where his youngest daughter attends school and where his oldest daughter graduated from, he is deeply committed to ensuring the best opportunities exist for the students to be prepared to succeed. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Central Connecticut State University and a 6th Year diploma in educational leadership from the University of Connecticut.

Anthony Mangiafico

Anthony Mangiafico is the director of Wallingford Adult Education and past president of the Connecticut Association for Adult and Continuing Education (CAACE). He previously led East Hartford Adult and Continuing Education for eight years. In 2018, he earned his doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Connecticut, where his dissertation focused on the experiences of GED students of color. In 2022, he was named Outstanding National Administrator of the Year by the Coalition on Adult Basic Education. As CAACE president, he advocated for increased funding, equity in education, and support for both staff and learners, with a focus on racial justice and LGBTQIA+ inclusion. Mangiafico lives in Middletown, Connecticut, with his family and serves on the Middletown Common Council.

Mariana Reyes

Mariana Reyes is an educational leader deeply passionate about inclusive, multilingual education. Her family immigrated from Costa Rica to New London in 1991, and she is the youngest of six siblings. She originally pursued international studies at American University, drawn to politics and global affairs. However, it was during her time as a substitute teacher at the Regional Multicultural Magnet School (RMMS) — where she now proudly serves as principal — that she discovered her true calling in education. Her first teaching role was as a New York City Teaching Fellow in Spanish Harlem, where she earned her master’s degree in bilingual and special education. She later returned to RMMS as a special education teacher, advanced to special education coordinator, then assistant principal, and today she has the honor of leading the school as its principal.

Shelley Rinaldi

Shelley Rinaldi is a dedicated educational leader committed to fostering equity, academic growth, and inclusive school cultures. She currently serves as principal of Torrington Middle School, where she leads a staff of 175 in supporting 1,000 students through data-driven systems and high-impact instruction. Previously, she served as assistant principal at Broadview Middle School in Danbury, Connecticut, and held several other roles in Danbury, including district scientific research-based interventions (SRBI) administrator, intervention coordinator, and middle school reading department head. Earlier roles include literacy specialist at Nonnewaug High School and special education teacher in Waterbury Public Schools. Shelley holds a 6th Year diploma in educational leadership and is certified in administration, special education, elementary education, and reading. She is recognized for her instructional leadership, restorative practices, and ability to build collaborative, student-centered communities.

Katie Risk

Katie Risk began her teaching career as a special education teacher in the South Bronx and Park Slope, within the New York City Department of Education (DOE). She missed the camaraderie of a community-based district and transitioned to working as a literacy specialist and English as a second language (ESL) teacher in Darien, Connecticut. She then served as the elementary curriculum coordinator and assistant principal for special education and is currently delighted to serve as an elementary assistant principal at Royle Elementary School in Darien. Risk is passionate about learning all she can to best support students and adults and is thrilled to be back at the University of Connecticut. Risk holds a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies from UConn, a master’s degree in students with disabilities grades 1-6 from Pace University, a remedial reading certification from Albertus Magnus College, a teaching English to students/adults of other languages certification through ACES, and a 6th Year diploma in educational leadership from UConn.

Danielle Schoman

Annaliese Spaziano

 

Lori Susi

 

Idelisa Torres

Idelisa Torres is a middle school principal with over 18 years of experience in the education field. Known for her boundless energy and unwavering commitment to student success, Torres began her career as a social studies teacher, where she brought history to life through real-world connections that made it relevant to current events. Her leadership talent soon led her to serve as an assistant principal, where she championed equity initiatives, worked alongside teacher teams, and supported restorative discipline practices. Now, as a principal, she combines her instructional knowledge with a student-centered approach to create a vibrant and inclusive school culture. Torres believes every child deserves to experience rich, engaging, and challenging coursework, and she works tirelessly to ensure that happens every day. Her hands-on leadership style, contagious optimism, and dedication to success are evident to all those with whom she interacts. She is a graduate of the University of Connecticut, the University of New Haven, and Sacred Heart University.