Virginia Cipolla
Summary
Experienced educator and program director with over 10 years of leadership in admissions, onboarding, family communication, student recruitment, curriculum development, and program administration. Skilled in guiding diverse families through admissions and onboarding, developing systems that improve student fit and retention, and creating emotionally supportive school communities. Experienced in holistic, hands-on, project-based, and social-emotional learning environments.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Program Director & Agriscience Teacher
Stamford Regional Agriscience and Technology Program
Stamford, Connecticut, USA
08.2015 - 07.2025
- Developed and managed the program’s admissions process, improving how the program identified and enrolled students who were the right fit.
- Recruited and enrolled approximately 45 students annually from a pool of 90 prospective students, enhancing program diversity and engagement.
- Reduced student attrition by nearly 50%, from an average of 10 students per year to approximately 5 students per year.
- Coordinated application and onboarding processes, facilitating interviews, acceptance decisions, and transition support for new students.
- Guided prospective families through admissions and helped determine whether the program was the right educational fit.
- Conducted school tours and answered inquiries from prospective families, community members, and stakeholders.
- Trained current students to lead tours and represent the program to prospective families.
- Planned and facilitated open houses, parent nights, and recruitment presentations
- Recruited prospective students from middle schools across Stamford and surrounding towns.
- Served as educational leader of a specialized regional agriscience program.
- Supervised and supported teaching staff, para-educators, and student leadership teams.
- Oversaw specialized educational facilities including greenhouses, animal science labs, aquaculture labs, outdoor school farm spaces, and hands-on learning environments.
- Managed grant funding, purchase orders, invoices, budgets, student activity accounts, and program resources.
- Maintained compliance with state program regulations, labor requirements, and school district procedures.
- Served as liaison between the program, school administration, district leaders, transportation providers, families, and community partners.
- Prepared compliance reports, maintained records, and communicated program updates to district and state leaders, ensuring alignment with regulations and enhancing stakeholder awareness.
- Coordinated hiring processes for summer staff, para-educators, and teaching staff
- Planned and facilitated staff meetings, professional development, curriculum review, and program improvement initiatives.
- Planned and taught hands-on, project-based lessons aligned with Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources standards and career-ready practices.
- Created curriculum to support social, emotional, and communication skill development
- Integrated restorative justice practices, classroom circles, and social-emotional learning into classroom instruction and overall program culture
- Trained staff in implementing social-emotional skill development in the classroom
- Supported students in developing career pathways, leadership skills, goal setting, and experiential learning projects
- Communicated regularly with parents and guardians regarding student progress, behavior, program requirements, and support needs
- Coached students in public speaking, interview skills, professional writing, phone communication, and interpersonal communications
- Led student teams in leadership development, career readiness, and competitive events
- Helped students build confidence, self-awareness, leadership skills, and professional readiness
- Advised a student leadership organization focused on developing premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through service and teamwork.
- Planned and facilitated leadership lessons, communication workshops, and team-building activities
Student Teacher / Substitute Teacher
Wamogo High School
Litchfield, Connecticut, USA
09.2013 - 12.2013
- Implemented effective classroom management routines and integrated technology-based learning strategies to foster a productive learning environment.
- Created unit plans aligned with Common Core State Standards and Connecticut Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources standards
- Developed engaging lesson plans for Animal Biotechnology, Small Engine Repair, Plumbing and Welding, and Intro to Agricultural Business to enhance student understanding and interest.
Veterinary Assistant / Receptionist
Millerton Veterinary Practice
Millerton, New York, USA
07.2011 - 05.2013
- Coordinated client communication, appointment scheduling, billing, invoices, payments, and client records to ensure smooth operations
- Provided customer service, client education, and prescription instructions while managing front-desk operations to enhance client experience
- Supported veterinarians with patients and procedures as needed
- Updated and maintained business social media and website content
- Trained new receptionist staff and streamlined client reminder system for better follow-up
Long-Term Substitute Teacher / Intern / ESL Tutor
Housatonic Valley Regional High School
Falls Village, Connecticut, USA
01.2011 - 06.2011
- Designed and delivered targeted English Language Learner support lessons to meet diverse student needs
- Cultivated strong rapport with students to enhance engagement and support learning through practical instruction
- Created and implemented hands-on lesson plans for agriculture, animal science, veterinary science, natural resources, aquaculture, and biotechnology
- Facilitated effective communication by providing verbal and written Spanish-English translation support
Education
Master of Arts - Agricultural Education Curriculum and Instruction
University of Connecticut
Waterbury, Connecticut06-2014
Bachelor of Technology - Agricultural Business Management
State University of New York Cobleskill
Cobleskill, New York05-2011
Associate in Science - Agricultural Business Management
State University of New York Cobleskill
Cobleskill, New York12-2009
Associate in Science - Agricultural Business Management
State University of New York Cobleskill
Cobleskill, New York12-2009
Skills
- Admissions & Enrollment
- Family Communication
- Student Recruitment
- Onboarding & Retention
- School Tours & Open Houses
- Student Development
- Social-Emotional Learning
- Restorative Practices
- Program Leadership
- Staff Training
- Curriculum Development
- Community Partnerships
- Grant & Budget Management
- Event Coordination
- Written and Verbal Communication
Certification
- Connecticut Professional Educator Certificate, Vocational Agriculture Certification (040, 041)
- Advanced Human Design Practitioner Certification
Timeline
Program Director & Agriscience Teacher
Stamford Regional Agriscience and Technology Program
08.2015 - 07.2025
Student Teacher / Substitute Teacher
Wamogo High School
09.2013 - 12.2013
Veterinary Assistant / Receptionist
Millerton Veterinary Practice
07.2011 - 05.2013
Long-Term Substitute Teacher / Intern / ESL Tutor
Housatonic Valley Regional High School
01.2011 - 06.2011
Master of Arts - Agricultural Education Curriculum and Instruction
University of Connecticut
Bachelor of Technology - Agricultural Business Management
State University of New York Cobleskill
Associate in Science - Agricultural Business Management
State University of New York Cobleskill
Associate in Science - Agricultural Business Management
State University of New York Cobleskill