Stamford Public Schools Appoints New Interim Principals

STAMFORD, CT — Stamford Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Tamu Lucero has appointed Kristina Colmenares as the interim principal at Rippowam Middle School for the 2022-2023 school year and Joseph Cozza as interim assistant principal at AITE.

"Kristina’s experience at AITE and her many years of experience as an assistant principal in NYC, make her the perfect choice to step in and lead Rippowam this year," Lucero said in a news release.

In the spring of 2023, a search for a permanent principal will be conducted with representation from all stakeholders of the Rippowam community.

Colmenares has been the assistant principal at AITE for the past two years. Prior to her arrival in Stamford, she had 15 years of experience as a founding member of the Facing History School in New York City where she served as an English teacher and then as the assistant principal for nine years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Boston College and earned her master’s in education from Teacher’s College at Columbia University.

Cozza will leave his current role in central office and join the administrative team at AITE.

"Joe has proven his skills as an effective administrator as evidenced by his leadership of our 2022 summer school. I am confident that he will be successful in this new opportunity at AITE,” Associate Superintendent Amy Beldotti said.

Cozza has been serving as the coordinator of summer school and extended day programs in the teaching and learning department since February 2022.

Previously, he was a science teacher and department head at Stamford High School for many years. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo and earned his master’s degree in education and his certificate of advanced studies in educational leadership from the University of Bridgeport.