Westport’s Greens Farms Elementary gets new principal
WESTPORT — Greens Farms Elementary School is getting a new principal whose work has taken him from Connecticut to China and South Korea.
Following the retirement of current principal Kevin Cazzetta, Brian Byrne will take over, starting July 1.
“Brian possesses an impressive blend of unique leadership experience, knowledge and exemplary interpersonal skills,” Superintendent Thomas Scarice said. “His child-centered focus will be a perfect fit for the Greens Farms School community.”
Scarice said there was a rigorous search process with multiple interviews involving Greens Farms parents, staff, Board of Education members and district administrators.
Byrne is the the principal for the Seoul International School in South Korea. Prior, he was an assistant principal at the International School of Beijing in China and the Shanghai Community International School in China.
Though he recently worked overseas, Scarice said he also has experience in Connecticut. He started his career in Stamford as a fourth grade teacher at Toquam Magnet School, advancing to a curriculum associate for elementary mathematics.
Scarice said this amounts to more than 17 years in education as a teacher, teacher leader and administrator, which “will serve as a tremendous benefit for the Greens Farms Elementary School community.”
Byrne has also presented at multiple conferences, including the East Asia Regional Council of Schools Leadership Conference in Bangkok, Thailand. While in Stamford, he won the Stamford Public Schools Spotlight Award.
“These achievements represent his commitment to continuous improvement, an approach he also uses when participating in various professional development opportunities such as The Data Wise Project through the Harvard Graduate School of Education,” Scarice said.
Byrne has a bachelor’s degree in business marketing from Indiana University, as well as a master’s in elementary education from the University of Bridgeport. He also participated in Sacred Heart University’s leadership and administration program.
Scarice said Cazzetta will be recognized at the June 12 Board of Education meeting.