Mansfield Board of Education Names New Vinton School Principal

MANSFIELD – Michael Seal on Friday was named the new principal at Vinton Elementary School.

He will be succeeding James Palmer, who is retiring after 34 years as a local educator.

Mansfield Superintendent of Schools Kelly Lyman released the following statement:

"It is with much enthusiasm and excitement that I introduce the next Vinton Elementary School Principal for the Mansfield Schools, Michael Seal.

"A committee of teachers, administrators, parents, and a paraeducator reviewed applications, identified candidates to interview, conducted interviews and observed the finalists run a mock staff meeting.

"Second round interviews were conducted by the district administrators. After thoughtful deliberation and reference checking, Mr. Seal emerged as rightly suited to be our next Vinton principal. He was introduced to the Board of Education (Thursday) evening and they heartily endorsed his hire.

"A graduate of the University of Rhode Island with a BA in English, a MA in teaching elementary education from Rhode Island College, and an Executive Leadership Program Certificate from UConn, Mike has 20 years of elementary teaching and administrative experience in Connecticut, New York, and California. This includes being a founding member of The School at Columbia University, spending three years as a fifth grade teacher in our neighboring Willington’s Hall Memorial Middle School and five years as principal in South Windsor at Pleasant Valley Elementary School before moving to San Diego, California in 2012.

"Mike became the director of Explorer Elementary Charter School, a High Tech High School. There, Mike was given the task to bring the school’s learning into the 21st century emphasizing social and emotional learning, core academic content, critical and creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and innovation. He was also given the charge to bring together a divided school community. After successfully shifting the culture and learning direction at Explorer, Mike became Assistant Director and later Interim Director of Urban Discovery Academy (UDA), a K-8 public charter school in San Diego. At UDA, he worked with a team to move the school to a brand new facility in downtown San Diego and was hired to deepen the staff’s 21st century learning skills, and achieved success in both.

"After 4 successful years in California, Mike and his wife, who are New Englanders at heart, sought to return to Connecticut for the right opportunity and community, and in Vinton he has found that.

"Mike shared that he was seeking the opportunity to work in an educational environment with a strong history, staff and leadership. Mike’s passion for 21st century learning, his knowledge of reading and writing workshop, his collaborative style, and his desire to learn, grow and lead will be a great asset.

"We expect Mr. Seal to begin work on or about July 1. He looks forward to meeting the Vinton community and intends to offer many opportunities for that over the summer.

Thanks to all those who served on the committee and gave many hours to this work. And of course a special thank you to Dr. Palmer for his 34 years of dedication to Mansfield Public Schools including 31 years as leader of Vinton Elementary School. He has forever left his mark on the Vinton community and we are grateful for his commitment. I am confident that Mike will be a wonderful steward of this tradition."