STAMFORD, CT — Stamford Public Schools announced a series of administrative appointments that took effect July 1.
The changes include:
Joseph Cozza, assistant principal
Cozza joins Turn of River Middle School from AITE, where he has served as assistant principal since 2022. Before joining AITE, he spent 16 years as a science teacher at Stamford High School and served as the school's science department head from 2018 to 2022. He also served as a head teacher in the SPS Summer School Program in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Cozza earned a bachelor's degree in biological sciences from the State University of New York at Buffalo and both a master's degree in education and a sixth-year diploma in educational administration and supervision from the University of Bridgeport.
He is certified by the Connecticut State Department of Education in grades 4-12 biology, grades 4-12 general science, and K-12 intermediate administration or supervision.
Rafael Escobar, assistant principal
Escobar joins Westhill High School from Turn of River Middle School, where he has served as assistant principal since July 2023. He joined SPS in July 2012 as dean of students at Stamford High School and was named assistant principal at SHS in 2015.
A graduate of SHS, Escobar earned a bachelor's degree in education, a master's degree in history from Central Connecticut State University, and a sixth-year diploma in educational administration and supervision from the University of Bridgeport.
He is certified by the Connecticut State Department of Education in grades 4-12 history and social studies and intermediate administration or supervision.
Amparo Fabre, assistant principal
Fabre joins AITE from Westhill High School, where she has served as assistant principal since July 2023. She began her career in education as a biology teacher at Westhill in 2012, teaching honors, college preparatory and bilingual biology courses, as well as bilingual physical science. She also served as lead teacher for the Adult & Continuing Education High School Diploma Program and as both a head teacher and multilingual learner teacher in the SPS Summer School Program.
A graduate of Westhill High School, Fabre earned a bachelor's degree in natural science and biology from Mercy College, a master's degree in secondary biology education from Fairfield University, and a master's degree in educational leadership from Sacred Heart University.
She is certified by the Connecticut State Department of Education in grades 4-12 biology, grades 4-12 bilingual biology, the High School Credit Diploma Program, the External Diploma Program/Noncredit Mandated Programs, and intermediate administration or supervision.
Melissa Fano-Dropick, assistant principal
Fano-Dropick joins Toquam Elementary School from Davenport Ridge Elementary School, where she has served as assistant principal since August 2023. She began her career with SPS as a special education teacher at Rippowam Middle School, where she later served as a special education PPT facilitator and learning performance and data coach.
She joined Stillmeadow Elementary School as a special education teacher in 2008 and was named the Scientific Research Based Intervention teacher in 2019. In 2022, she became teacher-leader for student support at Davenport Ridge.
Fano-Dropick earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Central Connecticut State University, a master's in special education from Saint Joseph College, and master's degrees in remedial reading and educational leadership from Sacred Heart University.
She is certified by the Connecticut State Department of Education in PreK-12 comprehensive special education, grades 1-12 remedial reading, and K-12 intermediate administration or supervision.
Cynthia Manifold-Dougherty, assistant principal
Manifold-Dougherty joins Davenport Ridge Elementary School from Toquam Elementary School, where she served as assistant principal during the 2025-26 school year. She has more than 20 years of experience as a K-2 reading interventionist, special education teacher, classroom teacher and district curriculum director.
She joined the district's central office as curriculum associate for professional development (English learners) in 2015 and served as coordinator of professional development from 2018 to 2020. She was director of curriculum, instruction and assessment (elementary) from 2020 to 2024 before joining APPLES PreK as assistant director of early childhood development and intervention for the 2024-25 school year.
Manifold-Dougherty earned a bachelor's degree in hotel, restaurant and tourism from the University of New Orleans, a master's degree in teaching English to speakers of other languages from Southern Connecticut State University, and a certificate in educational leadership from Sacred Heart University.
She is certified by the Connecticut State Department of Education in K-6 elementary education, adult education teaching non-English speaking adults, PreK-12 teaching English to speakers of other languages, and intermediate administration or supervision.
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