Sarah Rogers, Former Enfield Schools Principal, Dies At 49

ENFIELD, CT — Sarah Rogers, who served as principal at John F. Kennedy Middle School and Edgar H. Parkman School, died Thursday after a battle with colon cancer. She was 49.

Known throughout most of her tenure in Enfield as Sarah Collins, Rogers began her academic career at charter and elementary schools in Springfield, Massachusetts. She became a middle school guidance counselor in that city before coming to JFK as housemaster of Red House in 2004.

She was cited as being instrumental in the implementation of the middle school's talented and gifted program. In 2013, she was elevated to interim principal upon the departure of Tim Van Tasel. She became full-time principal the following year. She moved to Parkman in 2015, where she served until her illness forced her to resign in June 2018.

Van Tasel, now superintendent of schools in Suffield, told Patch, "I was tremendously saddened to hear about Sarah’s passing. Sarah was a true heart-led leader who cared deeply about her students and colleagues at John F. Kennedy Middle School. She was full of life, a positive thinker, and always found the opportunity to make us smile and laugh. I have long-valued our work together, and I’m hopeful her family, friends, and colleagues find comfort in the way she touched all our lives."

Enfield Superintendent Chris Drezek said, "We were all deeply saddened to hear of Sarah’s passing. She was a wonderful, kind and caring person and educator, and our thoughts are with her family, especially her children."

Assistant Superintendent Andy Longey was a housemaster alongside Rogers for several years at JFK before moving on to Enfield High School.

"Sarah was very kind and compassionate, especially when working with students who had a difficult home life," Longey told Patch. "She was a natural counselor and really developed strong relationships with her families. She always had a soft spot for the underdog and was a champion for students who struggled. She made decisions that were best for her students."

Former colleague Jude Connick-Gutierrez said, "Sarah had a deep well of compassion and wisdom that was legendary at JFK. It was hard not to be touched by her optimism and loving kindness. A mentor to many of us whose mark shall endure. This is a huge loss for the Enfield community. Blessings to her family who she was so dedicated to."

"I worked with her for a few years in Red House before I retired," town councilor and retired JFK teacher Bob Cressotti said. "I always had a good relationship with her. She was always all for the students, and very fair. Condolences to her husband and family."

Enfield Public Schools Human Resources Director Maureen Jewell said, "I was saddened to hear the news of Sarah. She was kind and caring to all staff."

Rogers leaves her husband of five years, Mark; five children, her parents and numerous other relatives and friends. According to her obituary, a celebration of her life will be organized when the coronavirus pandemic subsides.

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