PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Mansfield Public Schools Announces Lauren Rodriguez to be Principal of New Elementary School
Mansfield, CT September 13, 2021- Mansfield Public School Superintendent Kelly Lyman announced today that Lauren Rodriguez has been appointed to be the principal of the new Mansfield elementary school. Ms Rodriguez is currently principal of Southeast Elementary School where she has served since 2013. The new elementary school, Connecticut’s first net-zero energy public elementary school, is scheduled to open for the 2022-23 school year. Pre-K to grade 4 students now attending Annie E. Vinton Elementary School, Dorothy C. Goodwin Elementary School and Southeast Elementary School will join together at the new school on Warrenville Road.
In an announcement to parents, Superintendent Lyman says, “Construction of the new elementary school is well underway and it has been exciting to watch it take shape since the groundbreaking in June. We have engaged in a significant amount of planning to support the transition of our staff, students, and families into this new building next school year. An important step in that transition planning is naming a principal for the new school. I am happy to announce that I am appointing Lauren Rodriguez to that position.”
Prior to working in Mansfield, Ms Rodriguez held positions at the University of Connecticut assisting schools with improvement efforts and was an elementary teacher in general education and
gifted education classrooms. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from the College of New Jersey, a Masters of the Arts degree in educational psychology with a concentration in gifted and talented education from the University of Connecticut, and a Sixth Year Certificate in Educational Leadership also from the University of Connecticut. She is currently enrolled in the Executive Leadership Program at the University of Connecticut and last year was honored as the UCONN Neag School of Education Outstanding Administrator.
In addition to her responsibilities as principal, Ms Rodriguez has led the district’s math curriculum team, served as a mentor to aspiring administrators, and collaborated frequently with researchers at UCONN.
“Lauren Rodriguez’s leadership is characterized by her caring, compassionate approach, strong belief in the abilities of all students, and a commitment to creating equitable experiences for all students. She builds strong community, ensures students have a voice in their school, and engages and welcomes families into their children’s learning,” says Superintendent Lyman.
Superintendent Lyman also told families that in the coming weeks and months, school leaders, staff and the Board of Education will be engaged in a variety of transition planning and support programs, and additional appointments will be communicated with families and the community.
“Many of the transition activities will extend to students and families as we close out our time in our current schools and prepare for the excitement of moving to a new school for next school year,” she adds.
About Mansfield Public Schools
Mansfield Public Schools, with three Pre-K to Grade 4 elementary schools and a Grade 5-8 middle school, serves approximately 1,000 students. The three Pre-K to Grade 4 schools will be consolidated into a single school for school year 2022-23, the first net-zero energy elementary school in the state. Under the direction of Superintendent Kelly Lyman, the district works in partnership with the community to ensure each and every child develops the knowledge, skills and dispositions essential for personal excellence in learning, life, and work within our local and global community.