Region 15 Names New Middle School Principal

SOUTHBURY/MIDDLEBURY, CT — Region 15 Superintendent of Schools Regina Lemerich Botsford has appointed Jennifer Murphy as Principal of Memorial Middle School. Murphy will be introduced at the Board of Education meeting scheduled for Monday, May 8, 2017 in the Pomperaug High School AP Room. Her position will be effective beginning July, 2017.

The position garnered 59 applications, which were vetted through an extensive process involving committees comprising teachers, parents, and administrators, officials said.

“I am very pleased to welcome Mrs. Murphy to our district and am very appreciative of the members of the search committee who thoroughly evaluated applicants for this position and recommended such a highly qualified candidate. I am confident that Mrs. Murphy will be successful in working with our community and staff to continue the high standards of educational excellence for which Region 15 is known,” said Regina Lemerich Botsford, Superintendent of Region 15 Schools, in a prepared statement.

Murphy is currently the Principal of Litchfield Intermediate School in Litchfield, CT, a position she has held for the past 10 years. Prior to her current position she was an Assistant Principal at Cross Street Intermediate School in Naugatuck, CT, a Language Arts Teacher and Team leader at Coleytown Middle School in Westport, CT and a high school English Teacher at New Fairfield High School in New Fairfield, CT. She brings over twelve years of administrative experience and seven years of teaching experience to Region 15. Previous to her public school teaching and administrative experiences, she taught English to students in Guinea, West Africa through the U.S. Peace Corps.

Murphy has a Sixth year degree in Educational Leadership from Southern Connecticut State University, a Master’s degree in Education from Boston College, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English/Political Science from the University of Connecticut.

Murphy’s leadership successfully integrates her varied teaching experiences, past educational and instructional development positions, and personal skills. She is dedicated to a partnership among parents, students and staff to pursue educational excellence and a positive school climate.

“My interactions with students, parents, and faculty center on my belief in maintaining high standards for all students in an environment which respects individual differences and where curriculum is made relevant to students’ lives,” said Murphy in a statement.

Murphy will replace Dr. John Sieller following his retirement. Memorial Middle School serves approximately 350 students in grades 6 to 8 and is one of two middle schools in Regional School District 15.