Newtown High School Principal Lorrie Rodrigue is completing an internship with Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, this school year while working toward her superintendent's certification.A look at Ms Beck's experience is available here.

She began her certification program in August, speaking with Dr Erardi to set up her internship ahead of the school year.

"He has sort of been encouraging me along the way," said Dr Rodrigue, who added that she takes on leadership roles in the district and beyond. "It seemed like the logical next step for me."

As a school leader, Dr Erardi said he enjoys encouraging those he believes have unique skill sets to "go forward."

Dr Rodrigue is one of two aspiring superintendents currently mentoring with Dr Erardi. Ridgefield Assistant Superintendent of Schools Kimberly Beck is also mentoring with Dr Erardi this school year through the University of Connecticut's Executive Leadership Program.

Going back to school, Dr Rodrigue said, was originally not a priority for her, but when she received her doctorate degree it did not include the superintendent certification, "which is a whole other certification."

Dr Rodrigue earned her English secondary through twelfth grade bachelor's degree and master's degree in education at Fairfield University. She earned her doctorate in educational leadership through an online program from North Central University in Arizona.

The superintendent certification program through Central Connecticut State University lasts for the school year, and it includes courses and the 300-hour internship.

"I felt it was a good move, and I love school, so it is hard for me to ever stop," said Dr Rodrigue. "I find learning wherever I can." Dr Rodrigue said she would not have gone back to school, but she said having the extra certification will be nice.

She is taking the program with a cohort of people from a variety of districts, and she said that adds to a great learning experience. "I get to dialogue with professors, students, and other administrators from across the state," she said. "I'm glad I did it."

Dr Rodrigue, who lives in Oxford, said "it's great" that she also works in Newtown when it comes to completing her internship hours.

"The hours are beyond shadowing Dr Erardi. The hours include anything I do beyond the high school," she explained. "I work with districtwide committees... like the curriculum counsel I have been working with." Anything she has developed or led in a leadership role, beyond her traditional jobs as the NHS Principal, she can use toward her certification.

Much of the discussion in one of her classes, Dr Rodrigue said, has focused on case studies. Program members bring case studies to class, and Dr Rodrigue said the group speaks about the cases together. She has completed two research papers, both on subjects relevant to Newtown, like bullying.

"It works both ways. I bring a lot of good knowledge to the class, and bring back a lot of additional knowledge from others and from a variety of perspectives in the class. I think that lends itself to lifelong learning, which is why I am there," she said. To her, taking the class makes sense, "Why wouldn't we want to continue to grow?

"To be honest it doesn't mean anything. It doesn't mean I will be looking in the future for [another job]... In the future it might be another opportunity I look into down the road," said Dr Rodrigue.

She was inspired to take the program after talks with Dr Erardi, who is both her advisor and supervisor in the district. Working with Dr Erardi in the program, Dr Rodrigue said, has been a new source of support for her.

"He gives you so much confidence in yourself and in what you can do," said Dr Rodrigue, adding he goes out of his way to share his thoughts on her work. "He's also not the type of person to just say that randomly either. When he needs to tell you this would be a better way to go, then he will tell you. He will be honest.

"He has been extremely encouraging and open and flexible to ideas and initiatives I wanted to try here," said Dr Rodrigue. "He has been complimentary about goals I've had and committees I have facilitated."

Working with Dr Erardi as a mentee has been terrific, she shared.

"He's what most people would want as a mentor, because he is fair, smart, honest, and kind. He is all of those things," Dr Rodrigue said.

"It really is a program I sought out, not for anything more than another level of leadership," said Dr Rodrigue, "that lends itself to good decisionmaking and perspectives. That's lifelong learning, and that's really why I sought it out."

The superintendent certification program through Central Connecticut State University, Dr Erardi said, is a "really interesting" and highly regarded program that recognizes its students already have full-time jobs. He also noted the program's rigor in providing appropriately challenging work for the individuals in the course.

Dr Erardi also recently said he has mentored a number of people through superintendent certification programs.

One thing that stands out to him in Dr Rodrigue's work this year is how much she has helped the district look at curriculum design. He said she has been "in front" and sharing her views with the district's work on curriculum at a number of workshop meetings. He has also tried to include her on a number of decisions made at the district's Central Office, like when he was working on the proposed 2017-18 school budget.

Dr Rodrigue, he said, is "a helping hand with the expertise and background." Having her complete her internship in the district, he continued, is a "win win" for both him and the district.