Top Honors For Farmington School Administrator

FARMINGTON, CT — One of the school district's assistant principals has been named one of the top administrators in the state, it was learned this week.

Nicole Vibert, assistant principal of West Woods Upper Elementary School in Farmington, was named the 2024 Connecticut Association of Schools' Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year.

Vibert has been the assistant principal at West Woods for over six years and serves on numerous school-based and district-wide committees.

“I am incredibly humbled to receive this recognition. It was with immense pride that I was able to showcase the work our school engages in with relation to lifting student voice, and creating welcoming and inclusive environments for all stakeholders," Vibert said in a statement.

"Joining the Farmington Public Schools team six years ago was an incredible opportunity for me as a leader and an educator."

The Farmington Board of Education and Farmington Superintendent of Schools Kathleen C. Greider announced Vibert's award on Thursday, Dec. 7.

“Nicole puts students first in all aspects of her leadership work each day. As a strong and expert instructional leader, she promotes learning experiences that reflect high levels of student engagement, curiosity, real-world impact, and joy in learning outlined in our learner-centered instructional model and Vision of the Global Citizen," wrote Greider in a statement.

"To that end, she led efforts to create an outdoor classroom at West Woods providing a space to engage in cross-curricular learning experiences that have meaning and value to all learners."

Farmington Board of Education Chairperson Elizabeth Fitzsimmons said Vibert is a well-seen leadership figure at school functions and in the school community.

"You will see her at school and community events in the evenings and on the weekends," Fitzsimmons said. "She is a champion for the Farmington schools and community and it is evident that this deep commitment is foundational to her work with students, families, colleagues and all members of the Farmington school district."

Vibert is a graduate of Stonehill College and earned a Master’s degree at St. Joseph’s University.

She also earned a sixth-year degree from the University of Connecticut as a candidate in the administrator certification program.

Vibert began as an educator in Windsor and West Hartford, where she taught middle and high school social studies, before moving to Regional School District 15 (Middlebury/Southbury) as an administrator in the humanities department.

Vibert joined Farmington Public Schools in 2018 as West Woods Upper Elementary School’s assistant principal.

For he current West Woods principal, Vibert's honor is well deserved.
Said West Woods Upper Elementary School Principal Katherine Blore: “Leading at West Woods with Nicole Vibert these past several years has been an extraordinary honor.

"Nicole is a thoughtful, collaborative, and student-centered partner and I am so thrilled that the Connecticut Association of Schools saw in Nicole what our team sees every day here at West Woods"

For the full announcement of Vibert's honor, click on this link.