On July 1, Jennifer Hilderbrand and Steven Groccia joined the staff of New Fairfield’s Meeting House Hill School/Consolidated Early Learning Academy (MHHS/CELA). They will work with Head Campus Principal Allyson Story and Principal Rob Spino to oversee the campus of kindergarten through fifth grades. With the renovations and new addition nearly complete, the four administrators will be readying the campus to greet the combined student body in September.

Both assistant principals are new to positions in administration, though both have held leadership positions in their schools. Hilderbrand explained that, working as a fifth grade teacher in Ridgefield, she was inspired to make the leap to administration by a mentor whose, “leadership style empowered me to be a better educator and to take risks,” she said. With growing responsibilities building programs, clubs, and grant writing, she realized that she “wanted to be a leader who encourages, supports, and empowers educators in their professional journey. My hope is that empowered educators leads to empowered students.” Likewise, Groccia points to mentors as the inspiration for his move to administration. The role “allows me to work collaboratively with the community and all its stakeholders to facilitate rigorous, inclusive educational experiences for students and staff.” He also looks forward to being able “to foster and develop relationships with families beyond the limits of one classroom.” Groccia was most recently teaching in kindergarten in Darien.

Groccia said that he appreciates the wide range of skill-building that’s simultaneously occurring in elementary schools, from learning letters to long division and beyond. He said “what I really love most about working with elementary students is facilitating the growth and development students make from kindergarten to fifth grade.” While Hilderbrand said that one of her favorite things about working with elementary students “is the love, joy, and laughter they share with others,” going on to say, “watching students take risks, explore, and overcome challenges while growing academically and social-emotionally is incredibly rewarding.”

Hilderbrand and Groccia will join the district this week with intentions to learn, listen, and build relationships with colleagues and families. There are so many changes afoot for the entire elementary community and both will aid in creating a smooth transition into the 2022-2023 academic year.  Groccia plans to be as visible as possible around the campus to get to know both staff and students. He is looking forward to greeting students as they arrive and depart on the buses each day and spending time with them at lunch and recess. Similarly, Hilderbrand says, “One of my favorite parts of the day is arrival and dismissal. There is no better way to start and end your day with smiles and greetings from students and families. I will also take advantage of eve ry opportunity to get into classrooms to read to students and join in their learning.” Regarding staff, Groccia said, “I plan on being in classrooms to be a part of all the great teaching and learning that will be happening throughout the school year. I look forward to learning about and supporting staff members’ professional and personal goals in any way I can.”

Hilderbrand studied psychology at UCONN and earned a Masters in Elementary Education and a 6th Year degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Bridgeport. She recently completed a doctorate program at Sacred Heart University in Social-Emotional and Academic Leadership. She’s been an educator for 20 years, teaching in both Connecticut and Florida at the kindergarten level and first, second, and fifth grades. Groccia studied Elementary Education at the University of Hartford, earned a Master’s Degree in S.T.E.M. Education from Central Connecticut State University, and received an Educational Administration & Supervision Sixth-Year Certificate from the University of Bridgeport. He taught kindergarten and second grade at the Academy of Aerospace and Engineering Elementary School, a CREC Magnet School, and kindergarten and fourth grade at Holmes Elementary School in Darien.

A New Fairfield resident with two children at the middle school, Hilderbrand says that she is “humbled” to have been selected from over 60 candidates and is “excited to learn more about Consolidated/MHHS  cultures and the great work happening within the district.” She and Groccia are eager to be joining at such an exciting time when both schools will combine in one building. “I believe having such extraordinary educators all in one place will provide new, innovative and collaborative learning opportunities for all students,” Groccia said, going on to say, “Personally, I am thrilled to be a part of the New Fairfield Public Schools community and look forward to having a very successful school year!”

By Sarah Opdahl