Dr. Kristy Zaleta, Principal of Rogers Park Middle School, has been named the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) 2024 Middle School Principal of the Year. She will be honored at a recognition dinner hosted by CAS on October 24, 2024, at the TPC River Highlands in Cromwell. Additionally, Dr. Zaleta has been chosen as the 2024 State Principal of the Year for Connecticut and will represent the state at the State Principals of the Year event, Illuminate 2024, in Washington, D.C., from October 16-19, 2024.
Now in her 21st year with Danbury Public Schools (DPS) and her 6th year as Principal of Rogers Park, she has consistently demonstrated her commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive school environment. Before her current role, she served as the Associate Principal of Instruction for the three middle schools in Danbury, collaborating with departments and building administrations to create productive learning environments for all students. Her career in education began at Rogers Park Middle School, where she spent 10 years as an 8th-grade science teacher. During this time, she was honored as Danbury’s 2013 Teacher of the Year and received the Connecticut Excellence in Middle School Science Teaching Award.