ELP 2024-2025 Cohort

Katie M. Amenta

Katie M. Amenta is the proud principal of Berlin High School, where she has spent the last 17 years of her career serving in the following capacities: English teacher, senior capstone coordinator, assistant principal, and principal. Before joining the administration team, Katie was the Berlin High School women’s soccer coach, advised various clubs, and served on many professional committees. Amenta holds degrees from Central Connecticut University (BA), Quinnipiac University (MAT), and a 6th Year diploma in Educational Leadership from Sacred Heart University. Amenta is pursuing her Superintendent certification (093) in part of UConn’s Executive Leadership Program with intentions of bridging into the doctoral program.

Rebecca Bissonette

Rebecca Bissonette is starting her fifth year as the principal of Windsor Locks High School and her 20th year in education. She began her journey as a high school math teacher, then moved to a district-level mathematics specialist, an assistant principal, and now a principal. Bissonette is grateful to wake up every day and love what she does. When she is not at work, she can be found with her toes in the sand at the beach, singing at the top of her lungs at a concert, or courtside at a basketball game.

Ryan Broderick

A 2002 graduate of Bristol Public Schools, Ryan Broderick has served as a teacher and administrator in Bristol for the past 17 years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in social studies education and a master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Connecticut. His administrative certification was also earned at UConn, and he is finishing his Ed.D. in the Neag School of Education. As a school leader, he aims to support all teachers, students, and families. He is passionate about ensuring all learners acquire the skills, knowledge, and attitudes to succeed. Broderick believes that all students deserve an equitable opportunity for education. This is best served by dismantling inequitable structures and policies and engaging all students in rigorous instructional learning experiences that address individual learning styles and academic needs.

Maria Hofilena Clark

Maria Hofilena Clark became the principal of John B. Sliney Elementary School in 2019 after 18 years with New Haven Public Schools and Guilford Public Schools. She has served as assistant principal at Brennan-Rogers Magnet School in New Haven, Connecticut, overseeing the PreK-3rd grade programming and leading instructional and curricular initiatives for Grades PreK-8. At the beginning of her career, she was an elementary teacher in Grades 1 and 3 and served as a co-teacher in a special education classroom. She has an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Moderate Special Needs from Boston College. She earned her sixth-year degree in the Classroom Teacher Specialist Program and a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Southern Connecticut State University. As an elementary principal, she aims to build solid relationships and provide every child with the best learning experience possible in their educational journey. In her free time, she loves spending time with her husband, Edmund, and children, Anna and Joseph. They love cooking, exploring new places, reading, and creating lasting memories with family and friends.

Mike Croft

Mike Croft is a Nutmegger through and through. A graduate of Ellington High School, UConn (BS ’99 and MA ’00), and CCSU (6th Year ’11), he has taught at Manchester High School and Shepaug Valley School. After serving as principal of Cornwall Consolidated School for eight years, Croft is back as assistant principal of Shepaug Valley School. Croft lives with his wife, Alisa, and son, Jonathan, on the campus of the Frederick Gunn School in Washington, Connecticut.

Carlos de la Barrera

Carlos de la Barrera has been a principal at elementary, middle, and high schools in Michigan and Connecticut for the past eight years. In 2021, he was appointed principal of North Windham Elementary School, and in 2022, he became the executive principal of WWS and Windham Middle School before transitioning fully to Windham Middle in 2023. Over the last two years, student achievement at WMS and its indicators on the Next Generation Accountability Index have steadily improved, reaching pre-pandemic levels.

Jennifer DeRagon

Jennifer DeRagon has been the proud principal of George Hersey Robertson Intermediate School in Coventry, Connecticut, for the past six years. The school was recognized as a 2020 National Blue Ribbon School. Previously, she worked for the district as the K-12 Literacy Specialist and began teaching in grades 4 and 5. She attained her 092 from Sacred Heart University, her master’s degree in special education from St. Joseph’s College, and her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and English from Boston College. DeRagon presented at the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) National Conference in 2024 and the International Literacy Association (ILA) Conference in 2011.

Ryan Donlon

Ryan Donlon is the associate executive director for LEARN, one of six Regional Educational Service Centers in Connecticut. Donlon received his bachelor’s degree in Secondary English Education and his master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Connecticut. Additionally, he received his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Central Connecticut State University. As associate executive director, Donlon oversees the agency’s interdistrict magnet schools, its Office of Teaching and Learning, and multiple federal grant programs. Donlon has worked in magnet schools for 20 years as a high school English teacher and principal in grades 6-12 and PK-5. Donlon’s dissertation research focused on pre-service and induction support for beginning teachers in high-poverty schools.

Josh Egan

Josh Egan is currently the principal of Maple Street School in Vernon, Connecticut. This is his 5th year as principal in Vernon and his 7th year as an administrator in the district. He loves this role, connecting with students, staff, and families and making a difference in their students’ lives. His excellent staff strives to build long-lasting relationships with all students and families. He and his wife, Lauren, live in Rocky Hill with their two children, Brynn and Kade, and their dog, Ranger. During his free time, he loves being a dad, staying active, riding bikes, and working out.

Lori Eldridge

With over 25 years in education, Lori Eldridge’s administrative journey began as principal at one of Waterbury, Connecticut’s smallest schools before taking on leadership at the city’s largest elementary school for the past eight years. She is currently enrolled in the UConn Executive Leadership Program and is pursuing her 093 degree to secure a district leadership position. Her approach emphasizes collaboration and inclusivity. She aims to build strong partnerships with diverse stakeholders, fostering a sense of shared responsibility for student success. She is enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to the positive transformation of educational systems and looks forward to the challenges and growth this leadership pathway will bring.

Amanda Fagan

Amanda Fagan is the principal of Ledyard High School, her alma mater, where she previously served as an assistant principal, department head, and English teacher. She is a graduate of Fordham University and the proud mother of three children.

Khary Fletcher

Khary Fletcher is a dedicated educator with nearly two decades of experience spanning grades K-12. He has served in multiple literacy and leadership roles. Receiving his Doctor of Education in Curriculum Studies, Khary focuses his research on creating conditions for students to engage with the sociocultural context of reading comprehension and the practical application of skills to real-world reading. Khary strives to create structures and conditions for teachers and leaders to build collective efficacy so that all students reach their fullest potential.

Amity Goss

Amity Goss is currently an assistant superintendent in Guilford, Connecticut. With more than 25 years of experience in education, she has served as a teacher, literacy specialist, assistant principal, and principal in districts across Connecticut. Goss holds a bachelor’s degree from Connecticut College and earned graduate degrees from Central Connecticut State University and Sacred Heart University before completing her doctorate at Northeastern University.

Kayla Jarrin

Kayla Jarrin is a passionate literacy leader with over a decade of experience improving student learning outcomes and supporting educators. She is the director of literacy and social studies for Ansonia Public Schools. She has been collaborating with stakeholders across the district to successfully implement a new curriculum aligned with the Science of Reading, and student growth is already visible. Throughout her career, Jarrin has worked with several districts to strengthen their literacy instruction and ensure equitable learning opportunities for all students. Jarrin enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and writing in her free time.

Erika Lanza

Erika Lanza knew at a very early age that her career path would bring her to education. As a classroom teacher in an urban district, she found it incredibly rewarding to have as much an impact as she did on her students. As many celebrations and successes, the school has had, there was one moment that will forever remain a favorite memory, as one of her students came to her visibly upset one day. After further inspection, Lanza discovered his pom pom had come off his winter hat. The next day, she brought her sewing needle and thread and reattached the pom pom. She will never forget the look on his face when he saw she had fixed it. As a building administrator, she sought to impact her building of students meaningfully and always remembered to tend to the pom pom. She received a BA in anthropology from UConn and an MS and 6th Year diploma with 092 Certification from University of Bridgeport. She has worked her whole professional career in Waterbury Public Schools and looks forward to receiving her 093 from UConn in 2025.

Stephanie Lockhart

Stephanie Lockhart has been the principal of Avon High School since 2022. She was the first woman and person of color to hold this role. Previously, she served as assistant principal at Windsor High School from 2018 to 2022, where she co-chaired the district equity team and supervised Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). From 2008 to 2018, Lockhart was a dedicated social studies teacher, fostering her students’ passion for history and civic engagement. Her career in education began in 2003 with various non-certified roles that provided a strong foundation for her teaching and leadership journey. Lockhart has presented equitable hiring practices and instructional strategies at regional and national conferences, including the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS), New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), and National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). With a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and a focus on instructional leadership, Lockhart is dedicated to creating environments that allow students to be their best selves daily. She holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, bringing extensive experience and a passion for student success to her role.

Peter McCasland

Peter McCasland is the principal of West Side Middle School in Waterbury, Connecticut. He is entering his 21st year in public education, all in Waterbury Public Schools. He is married to Kate, a Wolcott Public School System teacher, and they are blessed with three exceptional children (Eva, 12; Nicholas, 10; Giulia, 8). They reside in Watertown, Connecticut, and are active in their community.

Allison Moran

Allison Moran proudly serves the Branford community as assistant superintendent. The staff, students, and community have embraced her new leadership, and together, they engage in continuous improvement efforts to ensure equitable growth and development for all Branford students. Before joining the Branford Public Schools community, she served in the Westport Public Schools for nearly 20 years. During her tenure in Westport, Connecticut, she held various roles, including classroom teacher, interventionist, building administrator, and curriculum coordinator. There, Moran developed a passion for curriculum design, realized the importance of teacher voice and agency, and learned to lead. Moran holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Rhode Island, a Master of Arts in Educational Technology from the University of Connecticut, and a 6th Year diploma in Educational Leadership from Southern Connecticut State University.

David Prinstein

For the past ten years, David Prinstein has served as principal of Windsor Locks Middle School. Recently, he transitioned to a new role as the district director of instructional technology for the Simsbury Public Schools. He lives in Simsbury, Connecticut, with his wife and two sons. Prinstein enjoys watching and playing sports, cooking, and horsing around with his boys in his spare time.

Shardee Shipman

Jason Smith

Jason Smith is entering his ninth year as principal of Anna Reynolds Elementary School, a PreK - Grade 4 school, in Newington, Connecticut. Over the past few years, he has overseen a “renovate like new” building renovation project that will be completed in Fall 2024. During this time, his school has consistently been named a “School of Distinction” by the state of Connecticut. Before Smith’s tenure as principal, he was the assistant principal at Martin Kellogg Middle School (Newington - Grades 5-8) for two years and the assistant principal at East Windsor Middle School (East Windsor - Grades 5 - 8) for a year and a half. At the start of his career, he taught 7th and 8th grade Language Arts at Roosevelt Middle School in New Britain, Connecticut, for nine years. He holds certifications in administration, elementary education, and middle-grade English.

Katie Uriano

Katie Uriano has been an educator for the last 22 years. She has been a first - and second-grade teacher, a math specialist, a principal at Hebron Elementary School, and currently the principal of Gilead Hill School in Hebron, Connecticut. She graduated from the University of Connecticut Administrator Preparation Program (UCAPP) and is the proud mom of three children.

Matthew Warner

Melissa Warrek

As a proud UConn alumna, Melissa Warrek is honored to return to her roots and embark on a new journey in the Executive Leadership Program. She is an assistant principal at E.C. Goodwin Technical High School in New Britain, Connecticut. She began her career as a school counselor at H.C. Wilcox Technical High School in Meriden. She is passionate about serving in culturally and economically diverse organizations, striving to provide all students with the opportunity to meet high expectations and academic excellence. She earned her bachelor’s degree in human development and Family Studies from UConn, a master’s degree in School Counseling from the University of Saint Joseph, and a 6th Year certification in Educational Leadership from Central Connecticut State University. She enjoys spending time with her three wonderful children and supportive husband and eagerly looks forward to this next chapter in her educational journey.