Steve Patrina Appointed Principal of Simsbury High School

On Tuesday, February 25, 2020, the Simsbury Board of Education (BOE) appointed Stephen Patrina to the position of Principal at Simsbury High School (SHS). Patrina has been serving as the interim principal since July 2019.

His term as interim principal has been tremendously successful, according to Superintendent Matthew T. Curtis. Said Curtis, “Steve has led a sustained effort to boost staff morale, prioritize school pride, and motivate both teachers and students to pursue their passions.”

In January 2020, a host of staff members, parents, and students participated in focus group discussions, led by Director of Personnel Neil Sullivan, about the position of principal. The group’s articulated needs for a new principal perfectly matched Patrina’s qualifications. An SHS graduate (Class of 1980), he returned to his alma mater in 1985 to become a social studies teacher. During his time in the classroom, Patrina also contributed to the life of the school as a class advisor and multi-sport coach, including a successful stint leading the program for varsity boys’ basketball. In 2001 he accepted his first formal leadership position as the Department Supervisor for social studies, and just over two years later, he joined the administrative team as an Assistant Principal.

Faculty members expressed respect for Steve’s record of success as a practical problem solver, a collaborator, and “a leader who trusts adults to do what’s right for students.” His sense of the school community is best summarized by his favorite phrase of asking others to take action for “the greater good.”

During his interviews with administrators and the BOE, Patrina enthusiastically communicated his vision to collaborate with faculty on a number of current initiatives and challenges: developing the structure and curriculum for the new Capstone requirement, continued emphasis on the school’s work related to equity, implementation of a new schedule for 2020-21, and examining the factors that contribute to student stress/anxiety.

Patrina and his wife Andrea are the proud parents of three SHS graduates—Nicole (2011), Allison (2013), and Jack (2015).