Hillhouse AP Promoted To New Co-Op Principal

Hillhouse Assistant Principal Paul Camarco rose the ranks to become the next principal of Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School, in one of a handful of new school board-approved promotions.

The Board of Education voted unanimously to approve Camarco’s appointment along with several other promotions of New Haven Public Schools (NHPS) administrators and executive management team members during its latest meeting on Monday. The meeting took place both online via Zoom and in-person at Barack Obama School on Farnham Avenue.

Supt. Iline Tracey recommended a personnel report with five promotions for school administrators, two administrative appointments, one executive management appointment, four teachers, and seven non-instructional staff appointments and promotions. 

Monday’s meeting saw a full house at Barack Obama school’s cafeteria. It was the first time those receiving promotions could celebrate their accomplishments in-person and with family and friends. 

At Monday’s meeting Tracey highlighted Camarco’s 15 years of dedication to the city’s school district. He began as a social studies teacher and later went on to become an assistant principal at New Lite High School, at Truman for four years, and then Hillhouse. 

Camarco was joined by his family at Monday’s meeting to celebrate his promotion. 

“I’m excited to work with the entire school team, community partners, teachers, staff, families, and of course the incredibly talented students,” he said. ​“Together we will continue to build upon the legacy of excellence carried on by Ms. Belton and her team, arts director Amy, and John Nguyen.” 

Camarco thanked the team he’s worked with at Hillhouse and dubbed them ​“the best in the city.” 

He also thanked his mentors who ​“took the time to see the potential in me and offered professional support and guidance along the way.” 

Camarco’s mentors included Larry Conaway, Kathleen Matter, Michael Patterson, Kermit Carolina, Sequella Coleman, Dina Natalino, Glynis King Harrell, Peter Hurden, and Edith Johnson. 

“I will continue in this tradition of mentorship in my new role, encouraging our next generation of leaders to grow from students to teachers to school and community leaders,” he said. His new salary as Co-Op principal will be $171,958.

Also on Monday night, Jennifer Sinal Swingler was appointed NHPS’s new Supervisor of Secondary English Language Arts, at a starting salary of $166,165.

“I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve this community with grace with courage to engage in the complex conversation of how literacy books can be used to show us the different views of ourselves, our lives beyond our community, and the greater world,” she said. 

Sinal Swingler said she will step into the role humbly, with a hopeful heart, and a positive attitude. 

Sinal Swingler currently serves in Fairfield Public Schools as the Program Director of Secondary Literacy and Learning and has worked in education for 20 years as a middle school and high school teacher, a building leader, and a central office administrator.

“She has been dedicated to improving literacy instruction and igniting students’ passion for reading and writing,” Tracey said. 

Jennifer Tousignant was promoted Monday as well to become the district’s new Supervisor of Elementary Reading and Language Arts. Her starting salary is $165,508.

“I am so excited for the work ahead. I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves, work with our literacy team in service for the children of New Haven to ensure that they have the literacy skills to meet all of the success that this life has to give,” she said. 

Tousignant currently serves as a principal in Region 4 Schools, a role she’s been in since 2016. She was also a classroom teacher in Cheshire Public Schools. She has worked in education for 25 years and will step into the role July 1. 

“She believes in high expectations for all within the school district so that everyone can reach their full potential, socially, emotionally, and academically, working to improve themselves and the world around,” Tracey said. 

Tracey also said Tousignant’s current school district earned the second highest growth scores in the Smarter Balance assessments for all middle schools in the state. 

Truman School Administrative Intern Maria Cristina Ryan was promoted to Assistant Principal at Hill Central Music Academy effective Aug. 24.

Ryan thanked her mentors, including Tracey and English Language Learner Programs Director Pedro Mendia-Landa, for their support over the years.

“The importance of education was instilled in me at a very young age as my parents who together with my family left Cuba and all their belongings fleeing communism,” she said. ​“But we said, ​‘no one, not even Castro, can take away what you have learned.’ ”

Ryan said she looks forward to working with Hill Central’s families, staff, and students ​“to ensure that all our students become life-long learners and receive an education that they will have forever.” Ryan’s starting salary will be $131,460.

Ryan began her work in education 30 years ago while a part of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps where she taught first grade in Kingston, Jamaica to over 60 students. 

She has worked in New Haven as a bilingual teacher, second grade teacher, and district instructional coach. ​“When we needed someone to help out at FAME, she gladly accepted to shift from where she was at Truman to help support the assistant principal at FAME,” Tracey said. 

Conte West Hills Magnet School Coordinator Jo-Ann Bonanno-Ferris was also promoted to become Conte’s newest assistant principal, at a starting salary of $136,904. And Susan Amenta, who is Coordinator at Ross/Woodward Magnet School, was promoted to Ross/Woodward assistant principal at a starting salary of $134,049. Both assistant principals will step into their new roles Aug. 24. 

Click here to view the full personnel report.