Occupation: I am the principal at Huckleberry Hill Elementary School in Brookfield. I started last July. Before that, I was principal for Region 12 (Roxbury-Bridgewater) and an assistant principal in New Canaan. I also taught for 11 years at Head O
Occupation: I am the principal at Huckleberry Hill Elementary School in Brookfield. I started last July. Before that, I was principal for Region 12 (Roxbury-Bridgewater) and an assistant principal in New Canaan. I also taught for 11 years at Head Oâ Meadow Elementary School in Newtown.
Family: Raub, my husband; Karli, who is 18, Max, 16, and Christian, 14½. They are all students at Newtown High School.
Pets: We have two bichon frise, Boffey and Bella. Boffey is 10 years old and Bella is 5. We thought that Bella meant âbeautifulâ when we named her. It turns out that it is Latin for âwarrior.â And she is a warrior!
How long have you lived in Newtown? We have lived in Newtown for 12 years.
What do you like to do in your free time? Well, my free time over the last eight years was working on my dissertation. I graduated last May from UConn with a PhD in educational leadership. I do go to the gym, too, and I like to garden in the summer when itâs still light late.
Do you have favorite book? Right now Iâm reading Crucial Confrontations and Iâm reading Crucial Conversations, both by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler. I picked up Crucial Confrontations at an educational conference, but it does apply to everyday life. I love reading Fitness magazine and Sports Illustrated. Thereâs an author from Connecticut who writes a column for Sports Illustrated that I have to read. Heâs funny, heâs smart â I love him.
Where do you like to go on vacation? I loved Marthaâs Vineyard last year. We went with my sisterâs family and it just has everything. Weâre beach people. I love walking on the beach and in the water. I also love Anna Maria Island in Florida, off the west coast. Iâd like to go to Greece someday.
What is the best thing about Newtown? The people and the kids. I love kids. [People in Newtown] are warm. There are very few people you canât just walk up to and talk to.
Do you have a hero? My dad. Weâre very close, very similar. Weâre cut from the same cloth. He has always been a great role model for patience, humor, and leadership. Heâs my role model for all that.
What is your personal philosophy? Reach for the stars, and be kind. Life is short, so cheer loudly.
What is the most important lesson you have learned? No matter how hard a situation can seem, with tenacity, you can get through it. Hard work pays off.
STD HEAD: SNAPSHOT
February 3 â Sharon Beitel