Paul Giansanti
Paul Giansanti of Oxford has been appointed as the new principal of Ansonia High School.
Dr. Carol Merlone, Superintendent of Schools, made the announcement jointly with the Ansonia Board of Education.
Mr. Giansanti, assistant principal of Hamden High School since September 2014, will begin his new duties on July 1, 2018. He replaces Terri Goldson, who retired as principal in February. The Ansonia Board of Education appointed Mr. Giansanti at its regular monthly meeting on April 11.
Members of the community and the staff will have the opportunity to meet the new principal at a reception in the AHS Atrium on May 3 at 6 p.m.
Dr. Merlone said 34 applications were submitted for the position. A committee comprised of high school staff, district level staff, and representatives of the Board of Education, interviewed four candidates in two rounds during the past two weeks. Earlier in March, parents, staff and the community were invited to complete a survey asking for their input about the qualities to seek in a new AHS principal.
“I was very impressed with Mr. Giansanti,” Dr. Merlone stated. “He is a very intelligent man with a great work ethic and a lot of energy. He certainly has the qualities needed to lead Ansonia High School on a path to endless opportunities.”
Mr. Giansanti, who is married and the father of one child, is a graduate of Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Arts History and Social Sciences, with a minor in Economics. He obtained a Master of Education degree from the University of New Haven; a Masters in Special Education from Fairfield University; and his 092 Administration Certification from Sacred Heart University. Mr. Giansanti is also certified to teach History and Social Studies.
He has 11 years of experience, all at the high school level.
Mr. Giansanti began his career in education at Bassick High School in Bridgeport in September 2007, where he taught history for two years during the day and at night worked as a lead teacher at the Bassick at Night Alternative School. Two years later, he was hired by the Briggs Alternative High School in Norwalk, where he taught history during the day and in the evening, served as the Norwalk ACE Night School Facilitator.
In September 2012, Mr. Giansanti transferred to Brien McMahon High School where he taught history and civics and also served as director of the after school freshman Youth Development Program at Carver Center. He moved into administration in September 2014 when he was hired by Hamden High School as an assistant principal.
Mr. Giansanti was the interview committee’s top candidate based on his credentials and experience. During his 11 years, he served as a NEASC chairperson for culture and leadership; created Hamden High’s first School Governance Council; developed a Parent 101 session to educate parents during Freshman Orientation about high school expectations; and has coordinated and delivered professional development on differentiation, student centered learning and school safety.
“I am truly excited and humbled to be selected as the principal of Ansonia High School,” Mr. Giansanti said. “Ansonia has been on my radar for a while now because of the small town feel along with the diversity of students. In my brief encounters with Ansonia staff members, it is evident that they care about their community and their students. I know there are challenges ahead of me and I am ready to get to work.”
(The position has a salary of $146,880 for 2018 – 2019.)
