Above and beyond
May 10—MANSFIELD — Whether she is helping students, working with staff or mentoring interns, Southeast Elementary School Principal Lauren Rodriguez goes above and beyond what is expected of her.
After the pandemic hit and the school shut down, for example, Rodriguez initiated weekly phone calls to families to check-in on students.
In recognition, the University of Connecticut Neag School of Education Alumni Board recently honored Rodriguez as the 2021 " Outstanding School Administrator."
" Her ability to understand the needs and wants of people is really her greatest strength," said Mansfield Superintendent of Schools Kelly Lyman, who is a Neag alumnus.
Rodriguez was recognized in March during Neag's 23rd annual Alumni Awards Celebration, which was virtual. " I feel so honored to receive this award," she said.
The annual award honors a graduate of the Neag School of Education who demonstrates excellence and has made significant contributions to the teaching profession.
Rodriguez earned her masters degree in educational psychology in 2003 and her sixth year certificate in educational leadership, both from the Neag School at UConn, as well as a bachelor's degree in elementary education from The College of New Jersey in 1997.
She has been principal at Southeast Elementary School in Mansfield since 2013.
" Even a casual glance at Lauren Rodriguez's vita reveals why this school and other schools that have benefited from her training have become showplaces under her leadership and guidance," Joseph Renzuilli, the UConn education professor who nominated Rodriguez for the award, said in a release.
" The competence, caring and collegiality of the faculty and staff at Southeast are truly a sight to behold and these things are the result of Lauren's ongoing professional development, the creation of innovative math, social studies and science curriculum and her direct involvement
in teaching as well as being the principal."
Under Rodriguez's leadership, Southeast School was recognized as a Connecticut School of Distinction every year from 2015 to 2018.
That honor is given by the state department of education for high overall performance, high academic growth and/ or improvement in overall performance.
Rodriguez is involved in many different capacities at Southeast.
In response to the pandemic, a district- wide " Cares Team" was set up to initiate weekly phone calls to families that included staff from different departments.
Lyman said Rodriguez expanded that initiative at Southeast by including students this year. Students organized a food drive over the winter to help families at the school. " She does a lot of things to give students a voice, very much a hallmark of her leadership," Lyman said.
Another initiative Rodriguez led involved setting up maker spaces at the school, both indoors and outdoors. Students make projects at the maker spaces, such as birdhouses, for example.
Lyman said $ 5,700 of a $ 10,000 federal, " Student School and Academic Enrichment" grant was used to create the maker space.
" It's been a fun project," Rodriguez said.
Follow Michelle Warren on Twitter-@ mwarrentc.
