Memo from Ridgefield Public Schools Superintendent Deborah Low: I am pleased to announce that Mr. Michael Sheehan has been appointed Scotland Elementary School Principal beginning July 1, 2014. The appointment comes after a search process consisting of position posting, application screening, first-round committee interview, second- round committee interview, performance task, reference checks, site visit, and Board of Education approval. The interviewing committee members included teachers, Board of Education members, parents, and administration.
Mr. Sheehan earned a Bachelor's degree in English from University of Connecticut, a Master of Arts degree in English from Western Connecticut State University, and a Sixth Year Degree in Educational Leadership from Southern Connecticut State University.
Mr. Sheehan began his professional career as an English teacher at New Milford High School where he also coached baseball and basketball. After working in New Milford for 13 years, Mr. Sheehan joined Ridgefield in 1998 as an eighth grade English teacher at East Ridge Middle School. Two years after that, Mr. Sheehan became a House Administrator and PPT Coordinator at ERMS.
In 2002, Mr. Sheehan was appointed Assistant Principal at the newly opened Scotts Ridge Middle School. Working closely with Principal Marie Doyon, Mr. Sheehan helped organize and implement the middle school structures for the new SRMS. Mr. Sheehan's duties include staff evaluation, student discipline and parent contact, school security and safety drills, facilitating PPTs, 504s, and parent-teacher meetings, coordinating the standardized testing program, and supervising after- school and evening activities. Recently, Mr. Sheehan has helped lead SRMS in positive behavior intervention and support initiatives including establishing a school-wide committee and behavior matrix, implementing the positive behavior reinforcement program for SRMS (STAR), and facilitating the "Hands Up" procedure at team meetings.
Marie Doyon, former SRMS Principal, spoke about Mr. Sheehan's strengths. She described him as having great relationships with parents, even in difficult situations involving discipline. Mr. Sheehan is able to work with parents and move them from feelings of frustration to better understanding. Mr. Sheehan's presence is calm and reassuring. Mrs. Doyon had no doubt about Mr. Sheehan's ability to transition to the elementary school level. She knew him when he transitioned from high school to middle school. She stated Mr. Sheehan can "read" students, he gets involved and is "in the mix" with them, and she added he seemed to have an "innate" ability to understand their needs and perspective. She commented that faculty saw him as a person with integrity and someone they could rely upon. Mrs. Doyon described Mr. Sheehan's ability totreat teachers with respect and show his appreciation of their work. Mrs. Doyon commented that Mr. Sheehan was "the man for the job" and a "perfect fit" for Scotland Elementary.
During the site visit on March 27, teachers, parents, guidance and support staff (and Principal Salem, again) confirmed Mr. Sheehan's accomplishments and complimented his leadership style and communication skills. Parents commented that Mr. Sheehan takes great pride in the positive environment at SRMS, "hits the perfect notes," is approachable and has a great sense of humor. For events and projects, Mr. Sheehan always asks parents, "What do you need? What can I do to help?" Mr. Sheehan can make decisions but always does the necessary research and is fair and thoughtful. Teachers commented that Mr. Sheehan was "the glue that holds us together" and that he works from a deep knowledge base. Teachers also describe Mr. Sheehan's ability to establish positive rapport with all types of students and that he makes connections based on individual interests. Guidance and support staff also spoke about Mr. Sheehan's compassion and caring for people and his ability to see all sides of a story. More than one person had tears in their eyes at the thought of Mr. Sheehan leaving SRMS. However, faculty and parents commented that Mr. Sheehan would make a successful transition to elementary school because he is thorough, a great planner, can anticipate issues, sees the big picture and establishes great rapport with everyone.
Mr. Sheehan has the knowledge, skills, background, experience, and enthusiasm to be successful as Principal of Scotland Elementary School. Please help welcome him to his new position.