DANBURY, Conn. — Danbury Public Schools is celebrating Rogers Park Middle School Principal Dr. Katy Zaleta, who was named this week as both the 2024 Connecticut Association of Schools Middle School Principal of the Year and the 2024 Connecticut State Principal of the Year, according to a release from the school district.
Zaleta will be honored on Oct. 24 at a recognition dinner hosted by CAS at TPC Highlands in Cromwell and will represent Connecticut at Illuminate 2024, the State Principals of the Year event in Washington, D.C. from Oct. 16-19, the release said.
As she finishes her sixth year as Rogers Park principal and her 21st year with the school district, Zaleta has earned a reputation for her commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive school environment, according to the release, which said she served as the associate principal of Instruction at three middle schools in Danbury before her current role.
She began her career in education at the school where she currently serves as principal, having spent 10 years there as an eighth-grade science teacher; she was honored during that time as Danbury’s 2013 Teacher of the Year and received the Connecticut Excellence in Middle School Science Teaching Award, the release said.
“Kristy sets a high bar for data drive work in her school. As a result, the culture around evidence-based decision making has grown under her leadership. She is an example for others to follow,” Danbury Superintendent Dr. Kara Casimiro said, in the release.
Before entering the field of education, Zaleta spent eight years as a research scientist, and she holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Montclair State University, a Master of Science in Education with a concentration in Instructional Technology and a Doctorate in Instructional Leadership from Western Connecticut State University, where she also works as an adjunct professor, according to the release.
As a middle school principal, the release said Zaleta has dedicated herself to improving equity, school climate and student achievement by taking on a comprehensive approach to school culture, using quantitative and qualitative data to inform decisions, building capacity through professional development and working together with teachers and students to create effective policies and protocols.
During Zaleta’s tenure as principal, Rogers Park has implemented a multi-year focus on culturally and linguistically responsive teaching, allowing teachers to be prepared to meet the diverse needs of students, according to the release, which said she has led initiatives such as empathy interviews and Welcome Walks to engage the entire school community in dialogue and action.
Zaleta has launched support programs including a backpack club for food-insecure students, an annual “Giving Tree” and free after school clubs to address students’ basic needs, the release said, adding that she has used data-driven strategies to rebuild the school community post-pandemic.
The release noted that under her supervision, student ambassadors have taken on leadership roles using lessons based on the Anti-Defamation League’s “No Place for Hate” resources, and the efforts have reduced both out-of-school and in-school suspensions, improving the school atmosphere.
Zaleta has an open-door policy and encourages open communication and feedback with both staff and students, the release said, noting that her commitment to academic excellence is supported by her “Road to Blue Ribbon” initiative, which helps ensure all students meet grade-level expectations.
Her implementations and expansion of problem-solving opportunities have improved math scores, helped teachers and students develop a growth mindset and take ownership in reaching their full potential and enhanced learning spaces, the release said.
“Dr. Zaleta’s achievements reflect her dedication to creating an equitable, inclusive and high-achieving school environment. Danbury Public Schools is proud to celebrate her well-deserved recognition as both the Connecticut Middle School Principal of the Year and 2024 State Principal of the Year,” the release said.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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