Milford Public School Announce New Elementary Principal

MILFORD, CT – There is a new principal in the Milford Public School system.

School officials have announced Amy Rizzo as the new principal of John F. Kennedy Elementary School.

Rizzo will replace Sean Brennan, who was named assistant superintendent of business and operations earlier this year.

School officials said Rizzo began serving as the principal on July 1.

“Rizzo brings valuable experience to her new role, as an educator, as a leader, and as an engaged and knowledgeable member of the Milford community,” Dr. Anna Cutaia said, superintendent of schools said. “Her emphasis on team building, along with her noteworthy positive attitude, will surely continue the tradition of excellence at JFK.”

Rizzo began her career as a middle school English art teacher in the Fairfield Public School district in 2002, a position she held for 11 years. In 2008 Rizzo decided to serve as a teacher leader where she served as the team liaison at the school. During this period, Rizzo developed her professional collaboration skills with her peers as she worked to develop, implement and present a districtwide student electronic literacy portfolio program that included student-goal setting in reading and writing, student reflection and student-led conferences with parents.

School administration said Rizzo’s districtwide work expanded to include the development of a curriculum that aligned with standards-based measures, as well as strategies to assist struggling students through regular education interventions.

“By establishing strong relationships with students, teachers, and the parent community, I will promote open communication, transparency, partnership, and a sense of belonging within our school,” Rizzo said. “My commitment to excellence in education is unwavering and I am deeply invested in the success and well-being of all of our MPS learners. As JFK’s ‘lead learner,’ I bring an open heart, positive energy, and integrity to foster a community where all members feel respected, valued, and supported.”

In 2013, Rizzo moved into the role of elementary library specialist within the Fairfield school district where she, again, served as a leader in district-wide initiatives while performing her school setting at the same time. She was deeply involved in planning, collaborating and implementing various projects, including integrating technology into classroom instruction and revising the kindergarten through fifth-grade library/media technology curriculum.

In 2016, Rizzo joined Milford Public School, first as the library/media specialist at Mathewson Elementary School and shortly thereafter (2019) moved into the role of Teacher Leader for Instructional Technology for the district.

Rizzo’s leadership played a crucial role at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, working with key district administrators to immediately and successfully convert the district into a completely remote academic environment, providing support for students and staff alike. During this time, Rizzo also served as a major contributor to the Professional Learning/Teacher Effectiveness and Performance Evaluation plan and provided support as a TEAM reviewer and mentor.

In addition to her vast experience in the world of education, Rizzo has been a vibrant and well-known member of the Milford community, having served as President of the Calf Pen Meadow PTA, and has worked with many other local organizations.

Rizzo’s friendly and positive demeanor has made her a welcome addition to any group.