East Hartford names new principal for magnet school
HARTFORD — It’s official: veteran educator and leader Michelle Marion is now the new principal of the Connecticut IB Academy magnet school, according to a unanimous vote by the East Hartford Board of Education to appoint her to the position.
CIBA, an International Baccalaureate World School, was ranked the No. 2 high school in Connecticut in 2022 by U.S. News and World Report. CIBA is a public magnet school; it serves students from East Hartford and the greater Hartford region.
Marion has served as the interim principal since April and has been an educator in the East Hartford school district for the last 25 years, according to the district.
She started in East Hartford as a student teacher in 1998, while she earning her bachelor’s degree in history at Keene State College, according to the district. Marion then continued in various roles, which include Social Studies teacher, assistant principal, scheduler and first assistant principal, according to the district.
Marion earned her master’s degree in educational leadership and sixth year certification from Central Connecticut State University, and has pursued opportunities with Harvard’s Leadership Series on Redesigning High Schools, the College Board, RISE and Powerschool, according to the district.
Marion was recognized by the National Association of Secondary School Principals as the State Assistant Principal of the Year in 2011.
In response to her appointment at CIBA, Marion said that she was “excited for the opportunity to continue as principal in the diverse and unique school community at the Connecticut IB Academy.”
East Hartford Superintendent Dr. Nathan Quesnel said in a statement that Marion is the “definition of what we aspire for in an East Hartford educator.”
He said that her consummate “students first, second and always attitude deeply reflects the values and beliefs of our community.”
“I have always admired her unyielding will, her unmatched work ethic and her unending commitment to the team,” he said, also in the statement. “She has been a major partner in our shared work to build a culture of high expectations for our schools and it is inspiring to see her step into this well-earned leadership position.”