Bungay students congratulate Reid.
SEYMOUR — Bungay School’s Assistant Principal Lauren Reid has really made the grade.
Reid was recently named Connecticut’s Elementary School Assistant Principal of the Year. The top honor is annually awarded by the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS). It was established in 1990 to spotlight the role assistant principals play in the education of youth.
At Bungay since 2016, Reid demonstrates qualities the program criteria looks for, including outstanding leadership and providing high quality learning opportunities for students.
Bungay School Principal Mary Sue Feige couldn’t be more proud of her colleague. She said Reid’s many attributes, including her “integrity, positive attitude, enthusiasm, dedication, passion for education and love for children,” make Reid a true role model.
“Lauren is an outstanding member of the Bungay School community through her everyday actions and through her ability to inspire all,” Feige said.
Reid was nominated in September, and was notified in November that she was a finalist. Members of CAS visited the school last month with a committee of six active and retired educators who interviewed students, staff, parents and administrators, and met with Reid.
Soon after, Reid received an email from CAS’ Executive Deputy Director Karen Packtor, who said after visiting Bungay, it was clear why Reid deserved the award.
“There was a warm and welcoming feeling from the moment we pulled into the parking lot and it was clear that your entire school community ADORES you!!!” Packtor wrote in her email to Reid.
Reid, via an email to the Valley Indy, said she is “thankful” for the honor, and credits the people around her, especially her mentor, Feige, for her ability to succeed in the job.
“The students, staff and community have been so supportive throughout my time in Seymour,” Reid said. “The staff is professional, dedicated and always puts students first. The parent community is amazing. I am also thankful for the Seymour Public Schools administrative team; their support and guidance never wavered as I moved into my new leadership role. Mrs. Feige is an amazing leader and person. Her guidance helped me to develop as a leader and become the assistant principal I am today.”
While there is no national competition for elementary assistant principal of the year (that’s just for middle and high school) Reid will be honored at the National Association of Elementary School Principals, along with fellow elementary assistant principals across the country at the 2022 NAESP Pre-K‑8 Principals Conference scheduled for July in Louisville, KY.
Superintendent of Schools Susan Compton, who came onboard here in August with 40 years experience in education, said Reid is worthy of the distinction.
“Mrs. Reid is truly one of the best administrators that I have ever seen in my educational career,” Compton said. “This young lady has all of the attributes of what exemplifies her to be a state winner. She is extremely visionary, exceptionally brilliant and truly is an instructional leader. She is loved by the entire school community, and the students adore her”
Associate Superintendent of Schools Vonda Tencza concurred.
“I would be remiss if I did not mention Lauren’s sense of humor and fun,” Tenca said. “She is always laughing and carries a positive energy that is contagious. Lauren’s legacy as a leader is her ability to model, inspire and grow the capacity of those who work with her. She is like an educational Pied Piper, who, by nature of who she is, encourages others to join her on the journey.”
Reid’s ability to connect with students has not gone unnoticed. In 2018, she was named “Champion of the Year” by Griffin Hospital’s Valley Initiative to Advance Health and Learning in Schools for her efforts in promoting healthy lifestyles among students. Reid helped secure a $10,000 Katharine Matthies grant, which was used to equip 10 Bungay classrooms with innovative kinesthetic furniture, including standing desks, wobble chairs, foot rockers, pedal desks, under desk cycles and kneel-n-spin desks.
Reid, who resides in Southbury with her husband and daughter, said one of the best parts of her job is watching students grow, similar to how they spread joy in the Kindness Rock Garden she helped create.
“The current fifth graders were kindergarten students when I started,” Reid said. “Over the years I have watched them grow into leaders within our school. They have become role models for younger students. Working with these students, seeing them tackle challenges and grow as individuals is the best part of each day.”
CORRECTION: This story was clarified to point out the administrator was the assistant principal of the year for elementary schools. The original version implied the award was for all school levels.
