New Principal Named At Stamford's Roxbury Elementary School

STAMFORD, CT — The Stamford Board of Education this week voted to approve the appointment of Iuliana Roata as principal of Roxbury Elementary School.

Roata, whose appointment is effective July 1, 2025, fills the position vacated by Dr. Mark Bonasera when he was named principal at Turn of River Middle School in July 2024, Stamford Public Schools said in an announcement.

"On behalf of the Board of Education and the Stamford Public Schools Executive Team, I would like to congratulate Iuliana on her appointment as Roxbury Principal," said Superintendent Dr. Tamu Lucero. "Iuliana brings more than 20 years of experience as an elementary school educator and administrator to her new role, including extensive experience as a literacy specialist. The interview committee recognized Iuliana’s passion for teaching as well as her strong commitment to her students and colleagues. She will be a wonderful addition to the Roxbury community and I wish her much success in this new role."

The school district said the vacancy was filled "through a competitive hiring process that attracted candidates from within and outside Stamford Public Schools."

Two rounds of interviews were conduced by committees made up of teachers, staff, parents and community members. The final candidate also met with Lucero and Board of Education members.

Roata began her SPS career as a second grade teacher at Stillmeadow Elementary School in 2005 and was a Stillmeadow reading teacher from 2013-16 and the SRBI coach in 2016-17, the school district said.

She served as Stillmeadow’s administrative intern from 2017-21 and as assistant principal from 2021-2024. She has been the assistant principal at Julia A. Stark Elementary School since July 1, 2024.

Roata earned a bachelor's degree from Al. I. Cuza University in Iasi, Romania, a master's in elementary education from the University of Bridgeport, and both a sixth year degree in advanced studies in literacy, CLSP and a certificate in advanced studies in administration from Sacred Heart University. She has professional certifications in K-6 elementary education (CT 013), 1-12 remedial reading and language arts (CT 102), K-12 reading and language arts consultant (CT 097) and K-12 intermediate administration or supervision (CT 092).

Roata served as an adjunct professor at Sacred Heart University from 2019 to 2023. She received the SPS Spotlight on Teaching Award in 2016, the school district noted.