Guglietta begins job as new Batcheller principal

WINSTED — Suzanne Guglietta has been hired by the Winchester School district to be the new principal of Batcheller Early Learning Center for school year 2015-2016.

Guglietta is taking the place of former Batcheller school principal Holly Martin.

Martin was hired in 2014 and served one year until the school year ended in June.

Her contract with the school district was not renewed by the Board of Education.

Guglietta, an Ellington resident, said that she has been teaching special education for 10 years.

Previously, she taught special education in the Enfield School District’s kindergarten-through-sixth-grade program.

She earned her bachelor’s degree at Emerson College in Boston in broadcast journalism and earned her master’s degree in special education from the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford.

She also earned a master’s degree in communication from the University of Hartford and her certificate of administration at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. 

Guglietta said that this is the first time she has served as a school principal.

“I love the challenge that this position brings,” Guglietta said. “Everyone has told me that there is a lot of challenges on the plate over here. I do like a challenge. I think we need to move forward and get back to teaching and learning.”

Guglietta said that she is happy that the state’s Department of Education has named a receiver for the school district.

In August, Commissioner of Education Dianna Wentzel named Robert Travaglini as the district’s receiver.

“I think it’s a positive thing that can only move us forward,” Guglietta said. “I think he has a nice vision. He projected his vision at the school district’s convocation this year, and he was honest about his message. One of the things he spoke about was collaborating in the midst of all of the craziness he saw going on. He saw the teachers not missing a beat, getting classrooms prepared and getting ready for open houses. He said that it was a great sign. He’s seen the administration collaborating and everyone doing what they need to do without letting the other stuff get in the way.”

Guglietta said that collaboration will be key in her plans to move forward into the school year.

“When I spoke to my staff I told them that my motto is to strive for progress, not perfection,” she said. “This will not be a year of perfection. Hopefully it will be a year with lots of progress, but that will be through baby steps. By the end of the year we will have made huge progress, but to get there it will take baby steps. To me, nothing good comes out of working in your comfort zone and resting on your laurels. You have to keep trying something new. I myself have to step out of my comfort zone and drive more than an hour from my home to get here.”

Guglietta said that she wants to reassure parents about this school year.

“We are in a good place,” she said. “I know that there has been a lot of turnover and changes, but hopefully these changes will be good for years to come. I am committed to the students, the parents and the community.”