Printer Friendly Version - Parker Named Principal at North Branford's Jerome Harrison School

With the district's electronic billboard sharing the news, North Branford Superintendent of Schools Scott Schoonmaker congratulates Elizabeth Parker, Ed.S, on being selected as Principal of Jerome Harrison Elementary School by the North Branford Board of Education.Photo Courtesy North Branford Public School

After serving as interim principal during the 2017-18 school year, Elizabeth "Beth" Parker, Ed.S, will begin the new school year as the new principal of Jerome Harrison Elementary School (JHS).

The North Branford Board of Education (BOE) made the announcement and welcomed Parker to the post in a press release issued July 27.

Parker has been with North Branford Public Schools (NBPS) for 11 years and was named District Teacher of the Year in 2013. She first joined the district as a school psychologist and also served as a Dean of Students before being named JHS interim principal last year. Parker holds a B.S. in Psychology from Syracuse University, a Masters of Education in Human Development and Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology from Lehigh University and earned her advanced degree in Educational Leadership from New York University.

As JHS interim principal, Parker established professional learning communities emphasizing discussions of "Problem of Practice" to build teacher capacity in meeting the needs of all students, according to the press release. The release also notes Parker leads the Response to Intervention Team, developed the JHS School Climate Plan and secured a grant to implement a Robotics class for second grade students in collaboration with students from North Branford Intermediate School. In addition, she's demonstrated leadership in curriculum development and implementation in math and literacy with plans to implement new programs in Writer's Workshop, Science and Purposeful Play.

Additionally, during her tenure with NBPS, Parker provided counseling to students, conducted assessments and supported the JHS community; expanding her role as Dean of Students through her leadership in the implementation of JHS's Positive Behavior Intervention Supports program, according to the press release.

JHS is the town's public school for all kindergarten through second grade students. Last fall, Parker expressed excitement about leading the JHS community, in a note to families that was also published on the school website.

"As some of you may know, it has been a dream of mine to be an elementary principal and to be able to do it at a place that I have called home for the last nine years is quite special," Parker wrote, in part. "I look forward to working alongside you as we continue to create and maintain a positive school environment for our children to grow academically, socially, and behaviorally."