NEW CANAAN, CT (March 22, 2024): New Canaan Public Schools is pleased to announce Laura Newell's appointment as the district's new Visual and Performing Arts Director. Ms. Newell will oversee the district's art, theater, dance, and music instructional program and curriculum for grades K-12.
"We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Newell to the New Canaan Public Schools," said Superintendent Bryan Luizzi. "Her extensive experience, visionary leadership, passion for the arts, and commitment to education make Laura the ideal leader for our Visual and Performing Arts program, and we're excited to welcome her to New Canaan."
Ms. Newell brings a rich background of experience and expertise in arts education. Before joining New Canaan Public Schools, Ms. Newell served as the K-12 Arts Coordinator at Greenwich Public Schools, where she implemented the district's K-12 Arts Curriculum and led the department's Visual Art, Theater, and Music programs across 16 buildings district-wide. Before Greenwich, she served as the K-12 Supervisor of Fine and Performing Arts at East Hartford Public Schools, where she utilized her skills in a similar capacity to revise instructional curriculum and mentor teachers and administrators in the beginning stages of their careers.
Before becoming an administrator, Ms. Newell served as Band Director at East Hartford High School, where she taught Piano, AP Music Theory, and Band. She is also an active member of several professional organizations, including the National Association of Music Education (NAME), the National Art Educators Association (NAEA), the Connecticut Music Education Association (CMEA), and the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD).
"I am honored and excited to join New Canaan Public Schools as the new Visual and Performing Arts Director," said Ms. Newell. "I look forward to joining the NCPS community and especially getting to know the students, staff, and community as we share our love of the arts together."
Ms. Newell received her Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (Sixth Year) in Educational Leadership from the University of Connecticut and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership from Kansas State University. She also holds a Masters of Music Education from the University of Hartford and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the same institution.
“Special thanks to our Human Resources Department for organizing and running such a thoughtful and successful process,” shared Dr. Luizzi. “Our interview committee consisted of faculty representation from all five schools, our Board of Education, parents, the NCEA, building administrators, and district administrators, and I want to personally thank each of them for sharing their time and expertise with us, and for helping us identify and hire an outstanding professional in Ms. Newell. I’m excited for her to join our team in the months ahead!” Ms. Newell will begin in the position on July 1, 2024.
Ms. Laura Newell, NCPS Director of Visual and Performing Arts