Report by Paula Antolini, April 27, 2023, 7:37PM EDT
Featured photo: Principal Danielle Legnard, upper left, on first day of school at Berry Elementary School in Bethel CT, 2017. (File photo ©2017 BETHEL ADVOCATE / Paula Antolini.)
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In a letter to “Berry School Staff” in Bethel, CT, on April 21, 2023, Berry Elementary School Principal Danielle Legnard announced she would be “shifting” her role to “the K-3 Math Coach” after 9 years as principal. (View her letter below.)
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We asked Bethel Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Christine Carver what precipitated this change. Carver said, “As her letter indicated, she asked to be transferred into the position due to her love of mathematics instruction. She had a similar job in New Canaan. She will be an asset in that role. She has the credentials to do either job,” Carver said, “The math position was suddenly open due to a retirement.”
Will the salary for the new math coach position be the same as Legnard’s former salary as principal? “It is a teaching position and therefore the salary is significantly lower than a principal salary,” Carver stated.
Danielle Legnard was a former elementary school teacher, literacy and math specialist and has a background in curriculum development, and worked in New Canaan schools for 18 years. Ms. Legnard’s achievements include: “a BA from Manhattanville College, a Masters from Sacred Heart University and a 6th year degree in Educational Leadership from Sacred Heart,” according to WLAD Newsroom, who also indicated former Superintendent of Schools Dr Kevin Smith wrote: “Ms. Legnard is an accomplished author. She has published several articles including, “The Math Promise: Celebrating math at home and school;” “Mathematical Mind Journeys: Awakening minds to computational fluency;” “Empowering Teachers;” and “Math Workshop: The recipe for every young mathematician’s appetite.” She was a nominee for the Presidential Award of Excellence in Math and Science Teaching and serves as an adjunct professor and program developer at Sacred Heart University for the Certificate of Advanced Studies in Mathematics and Science program. Danielle is a member of Atomic – the Association of Teachers of Mathematics and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. She has presented at both local and national conferences for these organizations.”
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The math coach position at Bethel Public Schools School will be “effective as of July 1, 2023,” stated Ms. Legnard.
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