New School Administrator Hired In Milford

MILFORD, CT — Elizabeth Gaffney, who has 30 years of educational experience, has been named the school district's Coordinator of Early Childhood Programming.

Gaffney will lead several areas of early childhood education in Milford, including partnerships with the Milford Family Resource Center, the Ready to Learn program, and the Community Connections Center, officials said. She will also work with members of the Preschool team, as well as Instructional Leaders, in regard to curriculum and social/emotional offerings.

She began her career as an elementary teacher in New Mexico, and came back to Connecticut and continued teaching at the elementary level in the East Haven and Woodbridge Public School systems.

Her experience with early childhood education specifically began in 2010, serving as the lead teacher in the Head Start program at the Helene Grant School in New Haven.

In 2015, Gaffney transitioned to the role of instructional coach in the Consolidated School District of New Britain. During this time, she provided instructional coaching to 55 teachers and 15 administrators across 10 elementary schools, with a focus on children in grades PK-2.

In 2019, she entered a leading role in early childhood education when she returned to New Haven
Public Schools; this time as the Head Start Director for the entire district, including the oversight of six Head Start locations and managing approximately 130 employees across the city.

Her responsibilities included the preparation and management of the $5.6 million federal Head Start grant application and budget.

Anna Cutaia, Superintendent of Schools in Milford, said Gaffney brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Milford.

"These are key areas of focus as we move forward to continuously improve our early childhood
experience in the Milford Public Schools," Cutaia said. She begins her new job on March 8.