Schools

Darien Educator to Head Greenwich School Humanities Program

After working in Darien Public Schools since 2006, Annette Fornshell has accepted a job to run humanities education in Greenwich Public Schools. She starts work on Oct. 16.


Antoinette Fornshell, the literacy curriculum coordinator for Darien Public Schools, has been appointed humanities program coordinator for Greenwich Public Schools.

She has worked for the Darien Public Schools since 2006, initially as the K-5 Language Arts and Social Studies Specialist. Then in 2010, she became the K-12 Literacy Curriculum Coordinator for that district.

In an announcement from Greenwich Schools Superintendent William S. McKersie, Fornshell's appointment as the coordinator for humanities for Pre-kindergarten through 12th grades, is effective Oct. 16.

Fornshell will be responsible for the English/Language Arts and Social Studies program areas from Preschool through grade 12. She will oversee the core curriculum, common assessments, universal instructional practices, and professional development for these Humanities areas.

"I am pleased to welcome Antoinette Fornshell as the newest member of our leadership team," McKersie said in a written statement announcing the hiring. "She brings a proven expertise in the Humanities, the workshop model, and in helping principals and teachers to perform at the highest level possible. Ms. Fornshell has a wonderfully warm manner that all who work with her find inspiring.”

Fornshell has had a 23-year affiliation with Teachers College as a staff developer, doctoral student and participant in the Reading and Writing Project, with an extensive background in reading and writing, learner-centered instruction, and staff development.

She is an educator with 26 years experience as a teacher, an administrator, curriculum coordinator, Teachers College Reading and Writing Project staff developer, reading specialist and published author.

After teaching at the elementary level for the first eight years of her career as an educator, in 1995 Fornshell became the Interim Lower School Head of the Wooster School in Danbury.

During her year as Interim Head she was invited to participate in a study group for administrators at Columbia University’s Teachers College. Then, in 1996, she began working for Teachers College as a staff developer for the school’s Reading and Writing Project.

Over the next three years, Fornshell designed and implemented staff development courses for teachers and administrators, presented at workshops, and participated in ground-breaking research in reading instruction.

From 1999 to 2006, as a staff developer, she consulted with numerous Districts throughout New England and New York, including one year working with staff at Hamilton Avenue School as a reading consultant.

Fornshell received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI; a Master of Science degree in Reading from Western Connecticut State University in Danbury; a Sixth-Year Professional Diploma in Secondary Education from the University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, and a Sixth-Year Professional Diploma in the Administrator Preparation Program from the University of Connecticut in Storrs.




Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here