Jumper to Recommend Jessica Godin to Lead Katonah Elementary School

Interim Superintendent of Schools, Michael Jumper, announced Friday afternoon that the district will recommend a candidate for the position of principal of Katonah Elementary School.

Jumper will endorse Jessica Godin, who is currently the preK-8 principal in the Cheyenne Wells School District in Colorado, at the April 7 board of education meeting. If approved by the school board, her appointment will begin on July 1.

Godin will replace Eileen Casey, who is serving as interim principal of KES. Casey took over after Jonathan Kaplan e from the position starting in December. In Feburary, Kaplan effective June 2011.

Godin was one of 132 candidates who applied for the position, Jumper said in a press statement. An advisory search committee made up of teachers, parents, staff and administrators participated in the selection process.

Godin's career includes six years of teaching English on Long Island plus additional teaching experience in Colorado before assuming the principal position there. In the district's press release, she said her vision as the new KES principal would be "to lead in a sensitive and caring manner while validating excellent instruction, inviting reflection, fostering professional lead conversations with staff, and engaging open communication with parents, students and the Katonah community."

Godin graduated from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, earning a bachelor of arts in English and education, and a master of arts in liberal arts. She completed an educational specialist degree in school administration at the University of Colorado.

“We are excited to have attracted such a highly qualified, dynamic and progressive candidate for this important leadership position," said Jumper. "Ms. Godin brings with her a broad range of skills and experiences that will serve the Katonah Elementary School community well.”