CAS is pleased to announce the selection of the 2005 High School and Middle School Principals of the Year. Congratulations to Rocky Hill High School Principal Robert Pitocco, the CAS High School Principal of the Year, and Mystic Middle School Principal Susan Dumas, the CAS Middle School Principal of the Year!

Each year nominations are solicited for the middle and high school Principal of the Year awards. The winners are chosen by the CAS Awards and Recognition Committee, a selection committee consisting of active and retired principals and assistant principals.

Robert Pitocco
A 36-year veteran educator, Bob Pitocco has had a decisive and abiding impact on public education at the local, state, and national levels. Says Rocky Hill Superintendent of Schools Dr. J.A. Camille Vautour, "I would rank Bob as one of the best administrators I have encountered in my thirty-plus years in public education."

Bob earned a bachelor of arts degree in economics from Boston College and a master of arts degree in urban education from the University of Hartford. Eager to work in the service of inner city children, Bob began his professional career in the Hartford Public Schools in 1969. After two years as a teacher intern at the then Arsenal School, he accepted a teaching position at the State of Connecticut's Long Lane School in Middletown, where he worked for two years before returning to Hartford to teach at Burr School. In 1979, after six years in the classroom at Burr, Bob became the Equal Opportunity Administrator for the Hartford Board of Education, a position he held for six years before being named assistant principal at Weaver High School in 1985. Three years later, after seventeen years of service to the Hartford Public Schools, Bob accepted the position of assistant principal of Newington High School. In 1991, he was appointed principal of Suffield High School; and, in 1996, he assumed the principalship of Rocky Hill High School (RHHS), where he is in his ninth year of service.

Since his arrival at RHHS in 1996, Bob has worked tirelessly to, in the words of RHHS history teacher Richard Bruneau, "create a school culture with direction, unity and purpose." Under his leadership, RHHS has significantly expanded its Advanced Placement offerings; established a successful student advisory council; engaged in annual leadership and diversity training programs; developed a number of innovative and diverse course options such as Engineering By Design, We the People, and Connecticut River Studies; and initiated the Lend a Paw Day to encourage citizenship and community service.

Relentless in his pursuit of excellence for all students, Bob approaches his work with one guiding principal: "Our challenge is always to be better tomorrow than we are today." "I have been fortunate to be surrounded by teachers and support staff who care about children and recognize that ours is a journey that will never end," says Bob.

Recognizing that the key to successful leadership today is shared decision-making, not the exercise of power, Bob has created a supportive and collegial atmosphere which allows all stakeholders — teachers, support staff, parents, students, and community members alike — to enjoy a shared responsibility for the governance of the school. In fact, the RHHS faculty members have the same voting powers as the principal in matters of hiring new staff.

Described by Bruneau as "possessing that rare blend of integrity, intelligence and intuition," Bob has the unique ability to see past present concerns to future needs. He consistently displays the courage and confidence of a risk-taker, with a can-do attitude that embraces challenge and opportunity. Bruneau credits him with inspiring RHHS to "reach new heights of achievement" by creating a clear vision, working towards implementing that vision, and empowering others to work alongside him.

Visitors to RHHS are immediately struck by the climate of openness, caring, mutual trust and respect that Bob has fostered there. Highly visible and engaged, Bob is a constant presence in the classrooms and corridors. Says Rocky Hill Board of Education Chairman Nadine Bell, "Bob's leadership has transformed RHHS into an environment that acknowledges and embraces diversity, promotes cultural awareness, and maintains a high level of respect between students and staff." "Whether in the classroom, the halls or front office, Mr. Pitocco works tirelessly to reach out, rejuvenate and propel the school's vitality," adds Bruneau.

A respected leader in public education in Connecticut, Bob has been an active and energetic member of CAS since 1991. He currently serves as chair of the Connecticut Association of High School Principals' Board of Directors and is a prominent member of the CAS Board of Directors.

CAS Executive Director Mike Savage describes Bob as a "deeply loyal and committed member of our association." "He has given generously of his time and considerable talents, always acting without pretense and with great passion and a strong sense of purpose," says Savage.

Susan Dumas
In her thirty-four year career as a Connecticut educator, Sue Dumas has been a tireless worker and leader in middle level education at the local, state, and regional levels.

Sue began her career in education as a teacher of instrumental music in the Hamden Public Schools. After seventeen successful years in the classroom, she moved into administration, first as administrator of remedial and compensatory education for the Killingly Public Schools and then as assistant principal of Killingly Intermediate School. After five years as an assistant, Sue was appointed principal of Mystic Middle School, the position she now holds.

In her ten years as principal of MMS, Sue has distinguished herself as a passionate advocate of the middle school philosophy. She successfully transformed what was once Mystic Junior High School into an effective middle school which now contains small, caring communities of learning where team leadership is prized and parents are fully engaged in the lives of their students. Upon assuming the principalship of MMS in 1994, Sue undertook a rigorous self-examination and swiftly engaged the students, staff, and parents in a collaborative journey toward improvement. She has worked alongside the faculty and staff to implement new programs, improve student and staff morale, and strengthen the bond between the school and its community. As testimony to the success of Sue's efforts, MMS was named the CAS Middle School of the Year in 2002.

Sue considers herself the "lead learner" at MMS and constantly challenges herself and her staff to rethink current practices and explore alternative paths. She vigilantly keeps abreast of emerging trends in education and is always encouraging her staff to pursue personal and professional growth opportunities. As an educational leader, Sue is celebrated for her ability to encourage risk-taking, to generate innovative solutions to old problems and to channel others to discover new ways to achieve goals. Says MMS parent Donald Steinhoff, "Sue has worked tirelessly to encourage innovation, offering alternatives to traditional instructional methods and giving her staff the support and encouragement that professionals need and deserve."

Described as "a model of collaborative leadership" by Stonington Superintendent of Schools Michael McKee, Sue is the type of leader who wants to learn from those around her and who invites others to take ownership and feel involved. Guidance counselor Allison Van Etten, library media specialist Karen Chapman, and social studies teacher James Doherty all agree that, in her position as administrator and building manager, Sue has maintained her understanding of and appreciation for the role of the teacher. "Sue has never lost her ‘sense of teacher' when it comes to supporting her faculty," they said. "She welcomes and values ideas and input from her staff, which in turn has allowed teachers to have greater ownership of student success and achievement in their classrooms."

In her tenth year as principal of MMS, Sue continues to approach her work with the same energy and enthusiasm which she displayed upon her appointment to the position in 1994. Her drive for academic excellence and her insistence on both high standards and imaginative engagement have helped to create a culture of learning that is innovative and supportive and that allows students to fully develop and explore their individual talents.

A respected leader in middle level education in Connecticut and New England, Sue currently serves on the CAS Professional Studies Committee and on the New Eng-land League of Middle Schools (NELMS) Board of Directors.

CAS Assistant Executive Director Earle Bidwell praises Sue's educational leadership skills. "Mystic Middle School is one of the most dynamic, creative, student-centered middle schools I have had the privilege to visit. For this, I credit Sue Dumas. The faculty is totally involved in and committed to the middle school movement; the students know the mission and vision of the school; and the parents have enormous respect for Sue Dumas. She is a tireless advocate for what is best for the middle level and a credit to the profession."