New Assistant Principal Appointed At North Mianus School: GPS

GREENWICH, CT — Kathleen Smith-Ramirez has been appointed as the new assistant principal at North Mianus School effective immediately, according to a news release from Greenwich Public Schools. Smith-Ramirez replaces Sarah Obuchowski, who recently accepted a new job outside of the district.

According to the news release, Smith-Ramirez has been with GPS since 2005. Recently, she was the assistant principal at North Street School and at Glenville School. In the new job, Smith-Ramirez "will support the entire North Mianus community assisting in the development and achievement of school goals and objectives, while advocating on behalf of all students."

"Ms. Smith-Ramirez is an experienced leader who can provide the necessary support for staff, families, and students as the building prepares to navigate two school sites while a portion of North Mianus is under construction this Fall. In addition, she has dedicated her professional life to helping educate the students of Greenwich for the past 16-plus years, with eight of those years previously spent at North Mianus," Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones said in a news release. "Her commitment and devotion to her fellow educators as an instructional coach and administrator is extraordinary."

In her previous assistant principal roles, Smith-Ramirez "supported faculty with their professional development, managed and conducted planning and placement team meetings, and promoted a school environment that was safe and conducive to personalized instruction, cooperative curriculum development, and student learning."

Previously, Smith-Ramirez was an instructional coach for GPS. Over a nine-year period, she was a fourth-grade teacher at both North Mianus and Julian Curtiss School after holding roles as a building intern and substitute teacher.

"I have had the privilege of working with Kathleen for many years and she is well-known and respected in the NMS community," said NMS Principal Angela Schmidt in a news release. "Kathleen is a dedicated and passionate administrator who always puts the needs of students first. I am confident she will be a real asset to our team as we take on a second building site. I speak for the entire North Mianus community in welcoming Kathleen back home."

Smith-Ramirez said in a news release she was "humbled and honored" to serve in the new position.

"I am truly grateful for my time at North Street School, and I am thankful for all of the wonderful relationships I made with staff, students and parents. I am excited to return to my roots at North Mianus and to collaborate with Principal Schmidt," she said.

Smith-Ramirez has a bachelor's degree in Russian from Georgetown University; a master's in elementary education from the University of Bridgeport; a Sixth-Year Certificate from the University of La Verne Graduate School of Education; and a Connecticut 092 Administration Certificate from Sacred Heart University Graduate School of Education.