JENNIFER GRIGLUN PREUSS (IRAZÁBAL)
Southington
Summary
Visionary PreK–12 educational leader with a proven record of advancing equity, empathy, and achievement through systems-level transformation. Expert in policy development, talent management, and strategic planning, with demonstrated success in improving teaching, learning, and community partnerships. Recognized for building inclusive structures that elevate staff capacity, foster family engagement, and strengthen student outcomes. Selected for the National CASEL SEL Fellows Academy to advance systemic SEL implementation across schools.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (K-12)
Thomaston Public Schools
Thomaston
05.2023 - Current
- Provide strategic oversight of curriculum design, assessment systems, instructional strategy, and district policy across PreK-12, ensuring alignment with Connecticut Core Standards, the district's Strategic Improvement Plan, and Portrait of a Graduate.
- Serve as Superintendent Designee for extended periods, including summer 2025, overseeing district operations, staff supervision, and family/community communications.
- Chair the Professional Development and Evaluation Committee (PDEC); led the adoption and implementation of a state-approved educator evaluation system.
- Oversee star recognition systems, including Staff Spotlight and Teacher/Paraeducator of the Year, fostering a culture of appreciation and retention.
- Implement and evaluate School Improvement Plans; 100% of schools demonstrated measurable progress in at least one priority area in 2023-2024.
- Launch and facilitate community engagement initiatives, such as curriculum nights, parent academies, community conversations, and family presentations on Internet safety and human trafficking awareness and prevention.
- Lead the alignment of the district's Strategic Plan and Portrait of a Graduate, embedding goals into the curriculum, professional learning, and district priorities.
- Serve as the district Multilingual Learner Coordinator, district TEAM Facilitator, and district Testing Coordinator.
- Chair the BOE Ad Hoc Achievement and SRBI Committees, leveraging data analytics to drive instructional and policy decisions.
- Implement and evaluate School Improvement Plans; 100% of schools demonstrated measurable progress in at least one priority area in 2023–24.
- Lead strategic planning alignment efforts, integrating the district’s Portrait of a Graduate into the curriculum, school improvement plans, and district priorities.
- Chair of the AI Innovation Committee; earned an AI microcredential through EdAdvance/SCSU, and developed the district's AI guidelines framework to support policy; selected to present at the 2025 Learning Forward National Conference in Boston.
- Partner with CSDE and TNTP to establish a K-12 Literacy Vision aligned with the Science of Reading, and guide high-quality ELA implementation.
- Design and facilitate professional learning that increased teacher self-efficacy by 50% (internal survey, 2024).
- Direct curriculum audits and revisions to streamline units, strengthen vertical alignment, and support consistent instructional practices.
- Launch the College and Career Accelerator Program; 9 students earned CADU industry credentials in 2025.
- Implemented and facilitated play-based learning approaches in early grades to strengthen executive functioning skills, creativity, and problem-solving capacity in our youngest learners.
Mathematics Instructional Coach
Thomaston Public Schools
Thomaston
08.2020 - 04.2023
- Redesigned the SRBI process, reducing special education referrals by addressing student needs proactively.
- Facilitated PLCs and coaching cycles that strengthened formative assessment and differentiation, increasing post-assessment success rates by over 50%.
- Developed district-wide Marzano-aligned proficiency scales, enabling 20% more personalized learning tools.
- Created student incentive systems that improved IXL and Pathway usage by 50% across targeted grades.
Education
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) - Educational Leadership
Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, CT05.2027
Intermediate Administration & Supervision Certificate (092) -
Central Connecticut State University
New Britain, CTMaster of Curriculum and Assessment -
University of Saint Joseph
West Hartford, CTSkills
- Strategic Planning & Policy Development
- Talent Development & Evaluation Systems
- Staff Recognition & Retention
- Curriculum & Instructional Leadership
- Social-Emotional Learning & SEL Fellows Academy
- Community & Family Engagement
- AI & Innovation in Education
- Equity & Culturally Responsive Pedagogy
- SRBI & Personalized Learning
Certification
- Connecticut #092 – Intermediate Administrator
- Connecticut #013 – Elementary K-6 Teacher
- Microcredential in Artificial Intelligence Integration
Accomplishments
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
Timeline
Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (K-12)
Thomaston Public Schools
05.2023 - Current
Mathematics Instructional Coach
Thomaston Public Schools
08.2020 - 04.2023
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) - Educational Leadership
Sacred Heart University
Intermediate Administration & Supervision Certificate (092) -
Central Connecticut State University
Master of Curriculum and Assessment -
University of Saint Joseph
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