New Assistant Principal Hired At Avon Middle School

Information via Avon Public Schools

AVON, CT — Dr. Bridget Heston Carnemolla, Superintendent of the Avon Public Schools, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Kristina Wallace to the position of Assistant Principal of Avon Middle School. Ms. Wallace replaces Mr. James Pappa, who resigned effective June 30, 2019, for a position in another district.

After a rigorous national search process, Ms. Wallace was selected out of an impressive pool of over one hundred thirty candidates. Ms. Wallace’s official first day as Assistant Principal of Avon Middle School will be November 4, 2019. “Ms. Wallace brings a well-rounded skillset from her various experiences in school counseling and school leadership. She has demonstrated her ability to connect with students, her passion for continuous improvement, and a keen intellect: she will be a great addition to our Avon team,” explained Superintendent Carnemolla.

At the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Ms. Wallace earned her Bachelor of Arts degrees as a double major in Human Development and Family Studies and Psychology. Ms. Wallace continued her studies at the University of Connecticut earning a Masters of Arts degree in Educational Psychology while becoming certified as a school counselor. In addition, she earned a Sixth Year Certificate in Educational Leadership from the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut.

Ms. Wallace began her career in 2012 as a school counselor at Watertown High School in Watertown, Connecticut. In 2014, Ms. Wallace transitioned to the role of school counselor at Windsor High School where she was named the Lead Counselor in 2017. In this role, working with school and district leaders, Ms. Wallace redefined the process for students to receive tiered interventions and supports for academic, socialemotional, and behavioral challenges. Ms. Wallace focused her departmental leadership efforts to identify, discuss, and work collaboratively with stakeholders to implement equitable practices that support all students and work toward closing the achievement gap. Ms. Wallace was recognized as Windsor Public Schools’ Educator of the Year in 2017, and the Connecticut School Counseling Association School Counselor of the Year in 2018. In the summer of 2018, she transitioned to the position of Associate Principal of Naugatuck High School. In this role, Ms. Wallace has worked with building and district leadership to implement a comprehensive educational and co-curricular program to more than 1,300 students and 170 staff in the 9-12 setting.

Avon Middle School Principal David Kimball relayed that their team chose Ms. Wallace because she brings a “high level of energy along with a strong desire to help all students and staff succeed. Coupled with her wealth of knowledge in social and emotional learning, as well as restorative practices, she will make an excellent addition to both Avon Middle School and to the district. I am excited to have her join the AMS family.”

Upon her appointment, Ms. Wallace stated, “I am thrilled at the opportunity to partner with the educators, students, families, and leadership team within Avon Middle School, Avon Public Schools, and the community of Avon to support academic achievement and social-emotional growth, with the goal of developing compassionate, curious, responsible and resilient learners.”