Arsenian To Take On New Role As NHS Assistant Principal

By Andrew Rote

This year will mark Lorrie Arsenian’s first year as an assistant principal at Newtown High School. She will be taking the place of Susan Battersby, who retired at the end of last year, and will be working mainly with the freshman and junior classes.

“I’m the kind of person that’s always in need of challenge,” Mrs Arsenian said in a recent interview, as she looks forward to her new job. “I hope to make this job something that fits me and my strengths,” she explained.

Since 1998, Mrs Arsenian has been a favorite teacher for high school students who flock to her different approach to teaching English. Her popularity garnered her last year’s Yearbook dedication from the class of 2000.

After two years of teaching in Danbury, Mrs Arsenian found an opening in Newtown, closer to her home. She taught eighth grade language arts for seven years, a streak that allowed her to move up to the high school, where she found many of the smiling faces she knew in the middle school, albeit older and more mature.

For Mrs Arsenian, it was a difficult decision to leave the classroom, precisely because of the bond she forged with her students. Still, she had been interested in an assistant principal position, and decided to take courses to become certified. When she noticed the posting for Mrs Battersby’s job, she knew she was ready to leave the classroom.

“I spent some sleepless nights until I said, ‘I feel this is a good opportunity and I feel ready,’” she recalled.

“It was quite a surprise when I heard [Mrs Battersby] was taking on another job,” she added. Mrs Arsenian took advantage of the opening, and discussed the position with William Manfredonia, the principal of the high school, to learn the job’s requirements. After two major interviews with district administrators, staff members, parents, and the Board of Education, the school board hired her at its July meeting.

“Lorrie has earned the respect as one of the more outstanding teachers in the Newtown school system,” Mr Manfredonia wrote in a letter of endorsement to John R. Reed, Superintendent of Schools. “She is a highly intelligent, articulate, and creative person. Lorrie’s rapport with students is exemplary.”

As assistant principal, she will be focusing much of her time on disciplinary actions that teachers may not be able to handle.

“It’s more than just ‘give them a consequence and send them on their merry way’. It means… get feedback and work with them.”

“[The job] also has a lot to do with the coordinating and acting as liaison for staff members who will be implementing the CAPT this year for the sophomores,” Mrs Arsenian added. “Observing and evaluation of staff members is another piece of the job.” She will be working with new teachers, and teachers who have been around for a long time, as well as improving instruction and curriculum.

In many respects, Mrs Arsenian, who received both her bachelors and masters degrees at Fairfield University and is currently finishing her administrative certification through Sacred Heart University, hopes her skills as a teacher will serve her well in her new role. “When students come in here, you need to teach them just as if you were a teacher in the classroom or a parent at home.”

While Mrs Arsenian is excited and prepared for the new challenge, she recognizes the downside of leaving the classroom. However, she will still be teaching and educating a wide variety of people.

“I’m really helping students and staff from a whole different perspective,” she explained. “You’re still teaching, but you’re teaching adults in terms of staff.” She also mentioned her relationship with students. “You’re teaching students in terms of how to behave and how to function as responsible human beings.”

Along with preparing for the new school year, Mrs Arsenian enjoyed the summer with her son. She takes pleasure in spending time and vacationing with him.

The job of assistant principal is a brand new experience for Mrs Arsenian, which is a large part of why she is excited about it. However, she will still see the same faces of students that she once taught in eighth grade or high school, and the staff.

“I’m really excited about the job because I know every day will be different. Every day I will have to overcome some hurdle, and hopefully it will prove successful for me and for the people with whom I interact.”