Milford Public Schools is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Annamaria Simonelli to the role of Calf Pen Meadow Elementary School Principal after long-time Milford Public Schools educator and current Principal Jamie Whitaker retires at the end of June.
With over 10 years of experience, Mrs. Simonelli has held many roles in education, including serving as a Kindergarten/Dual Language Teacher at Fair Haven School in New Haven, and then as a Literacy Instructional Coach at the school, where she supported students and teachers in reading and writing. While at Fair Haven, she was the grade-level team leader and served as the on-site coordinator for the school’s partnership with Quinnipiac University and Amity High School. She also facilitated parent workshops and led the successful implementation of the Dual Language program for students.
Most recently, Mrs. Simonelli was Assistant Principal of Hamilton Avenue School in Greenwich. She has held this position since 2021, where she supported staff in delivering best instructional practices, led curriculum development, and facilitated work to reach goals for social-emotional learning, and family engagement programming. She also served as the site supervisor for PK-4 summer school in 2023 and 2024 in Greenwich, where she helped to identify high-priority instructional areas based on student needs. As a result of her deep commitment to supporting student growth and development, Mrs. Simonelli earned the Greenwich Public Schools district-wide Difference Maker Award in February of this year.
As she progressed through her career, Mrs. Simonelli committed her work to ensuring students have an engaging learning experience with a supportive and motivating environment to help them achieve their full potential. As Assistant Principal, she prioritized partnering with parents and enhancing family engagement in order to build a robust school community. Cumulatively, all her efforts in supporting the greater school community have resulted in improved student outcomes.
Mrs. Simonelli received her Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology with a minor in Spanish (2013) and a Master of Arts in Teaching (2014), and a Sixth-Year degree and certification in educational leadership (2021), from Quinnipiac University.
“I am honored to join Calf Pen Meadow Elementary School. I believe that effective communication and strong collaboration among students, teachers, and families are the cornerstones of a thriving educational environment,” Mrs. Simonelli said. “I am excited for this new chapter and eager to contribute to the great work being done in Milford Public Schools."
“We are thrilled to welcome Mrs. Simonelli as the next Calf Pen Meadow Principal,” Superintendent Dr. Anna Cutaia shared. “Her passion for education and unwavering dedication to students’ well-being and growth reflect the very heart of our school community. We know she will carry forward the school’s legacy with care, compassion, and a deep commitment to every child’s success.”