Windsor Schools Name 2 New Elementary School Principals

Information via Windsor Public Schools

WINDSOR, CT — Windsor Public Schools has appointed Autumn Baltimore as Principal of John F. Kennedy Elementary School.

Ms. Baltimore has been an educator for 17 years, and began her career in her home state of Virginia. She began teaching 6th and 8th Grade Language Arts for two years, and then moved to 9th grade English. In 2006, Ms. Baltimore began working for Hartford Public Schools as a Content Literacy Specialist for 7th grade and shortly after that was named the 7th Grade Team Leader and English teacher, serving in this capacity for 5 years.

Ms. Baltimore was then promoted to Instructional Coach for grades 6-12, a role in which she served for 3 years until she went to work at the District level as the Coordinator of Career Development. Ms. Baltimore then returned to the building level as Assistant Principal. Always looking to grow professionally, she has been serving in the role of Assistant Principal at Alfred E. Burr Elementary School, grades PreK and 4-8.

Autumn completed a Bachelor of Arts in English from Virginia State University and holds a Masters of Science in Education focused on Literacy and Learning Across Content. She earned her 6th Year Certification in Educational Leadership from Sacred Heart University.

“Ms. Baltimore brings a tremendous amount of instructional knowledge and background to John F. Kennedy School. Her work in the area of literacy and professional learning for staff is exceptional. She is very data focused and has a track record of success in her various positions. The JFK School community will enjoy her energy and enthusiasm for education,” commented Superintendent of Schools Dr. Craig A. Cooke.

Windsor Public Schools is also pleased to welcome Mr. Jay Mihalko as Principal of Poquonock School. Jay has been an educator for 20 years and comes to us most recently from Hartford Public Schools. Jay started his career teaching 2nd grade and special education in Newtown, CT.

In 2008, Jay became the Founding Dean of Students for Achievement First Elementary Academy in Hartford, and was later named the Assistant Principal at Noah Webster MicroSociety Magnet School. After a year in this role, Jay was tapped to be the Acting Principal of the school, and a year later became the permanent Principal.

After four years in that role, Jay decided to expand his experience and accepted a position as an Assistant Principal position at a high school. Jay earned a Bachelor of Science in Special Education, a Master of Arts in Education, and the Executive Leadership Program Certificate from the University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT.

Superintendent Craig Cooke states, “I am very excited to have someone with Mr. Mihalko’s level of experience and background in regular and special education to our team. His work from Prek through grade 12 will bring new ideas and perspectives to Poquonock School. Jay impressed us all with his commitment to student learning and equity.”