West District School Principal, Sharon Lowery, Announces Retirement

Principal of West District School, Sharon Lowery, Announces Retirement

Sharon Lowery, Principal of West District School, announced her decision to retire at the conclusion of the current school year. Ms. Lowery has served as West District’s Principal for nine years.   As Principal of West District School, Ms. Lowery has provided exceptional leadership for her teachers and staff by ensuring a culture of collaboration and support.  Through her efforts, Ms. Lowery has positively and directly impacted teaching and learning which has led to higher levels of student achievement.  Her contributions to West District School and Farmington Public Schools are significant and will continue to influence instruction and education beyond this coming June.

Superintendent Greider states, “Over the past nine years, Sharon Lowery has exhibited an unwavering dedication to the students, faculty, staff and parents of West District Elementary School and a commitment to excellence in all aspects of her leadership work.  As an expert instructional leader, she has worked closely with her faculty to promote instructional innovation across all classrooms.  Ms. Lowery's ability to empower her faculty to initiate innovative programming has greatly benefited the students and families of West District.  Ms. Lowery's caring and thoughtful approach to leadership has left an indelible mark on the West District school community and she will be greatly missed.  On behalf of the Farmington faculty, staff, students and parents, I wish Ms. Lowery all the best in her retirement.”

Mary Grace Reed, the Chair of the Board of Education thanked Mrs. Lowery for her service, saying, “Principal Lowery is an outstanding leader who has served the students and families in the West District community with considerable distinction.  Her deep knowledge of educational best practice provided guidance to her teaching staff and her sensitive leadership style provided care to her entire school community when they needed it most.  The Board of Education is very grateful to Mrs. Lowery for her 9 years of dedication to Farmington Schools.”

Ms. Lowery states, “I have been so fortunate to have two families...my biological family, and my West District family.  The parents are actively supportive of education and the arts.  Our teachers and staff make certain that our students' learning is as joyful as it is rigorous.  Where else but in education can a person be having a difficult morning, eat lunch with some five-year olds, and come away smiling and ready to take on the world? I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have worked at West District and in the Farmington Public Schools.”

Background:

Ms. Lowery was appointed as Principal of West District School in July 2005. Prior to this position, she served as Principal of Henry Barnard School in Enfield from 1999 to 2005.  Ms. Lowery served as an Elementary Teacher in Residence for the CT State Department of Education and as an Elementary, Special Education and Math Specialist in Enfield Public Schools.  She also taught in Holyoke, Massachusetts, Columbia, South Carolina and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Ms. Lowery has degrees in Early Childhood Education, Special Education and Educational Leadership from Slippery Rock State College, Westfield State College and University of Connecticut.

The national search for a new Principal of West District School will begin immediately.