Dr. Mary Fernand was appointed principal of The Sherman School effective July 1, 2022.  Dr. Fernand comes to Sherman following a four-year stint as an assistant principal at Bethel Middle School. 

Dr. Fernand spoke with excitement at the recent Board of Education meeting, looking forward to the opportunity and work ahead of her and Patricia Cosentino, the School’s new interim part-time superintendent, as they embark together on their new journey at the Sherman School, including implementation of the school’s new strategic pl an. She thanked Jeff Melendez, the school’s outgoing superintendent-principal, and his team for all their incredible work and promised to always honor and respect the traditions of the school while continuing the progress already underway. 

“It’s a great honor to be here in this really truly beautiful community. I have been welcomed with open arms; I’ve been welcomed with love and great care and that’s a real signal to me of the community that’s here bot h in the school and outside the school and that is something I hope to honor.”  Dr. Ferna nd recognized all members of the Sherman school community and noted how much she looks forward to meeting them all.

Dr. Cosentino speaks highly of Dr. Fernand. “I have had the pleasure of knowing Dr. Fernand in many different capacities for over twenty years. Dr. Fernand has an outstanding reputation in Bethel public schools and I’m sure they’ll be very sad to see her leave,” Dr. Cosentino said.

Addressing those in attendance at the Sherman Board of Education meeting on June 1, Vice Chair Matt Vogt had this to say about Dr. Fernand: “Yesterday, I think, Tim, Kristen and myself got the opportunity to spend a little over an hour with Dr. Fernand, and to say that I was impressed would be an understatement.  Dr. Fernand we are very excited to welcome you to the Sherman School community and thank you for joining us.”

The sentiment was the same for all who were present for Dr. Fernand’s appointment. Dr. Melendez said, “I had a chance to spend a few minutes with her and I am so thrilled and excited for her to take on this position. Everyone I have spoken to speaks incredibly highly of Mary; I’m sure she is going to have an outstanding tenure here in Sherman and I wish her the best of luck.”

Dr. Fernand’s experience includes middle school assistant principal, high school English teacher and department chair.  She was named Bethel High School teacher o f the year and is a past recipient of the Hennessey Distinguished Teacher award.  Dr. Fernand earned a bachelor’s degree in communications-media arts and secondary education-English from Western Connecticut State University in Danbury. She also earned a master’s degree in leadership and strategic management from Manhattanville College in P urchase, New York, and an Ed.D. in instructional leadership from Western Connecticut State University.

By Michelle L. Santoro