Released: August 5, 2005

CREC Hires DiFiore in Dual Administrator Role
 
The Capitol Region Education Council has hired Frances G. DiFiore of Wethersfield in a dual role as assistant director of Magnet Schools and director of the Institute of Teaching and Learning.
 
DiFiore began July 1 after working for Hartford Public Schools since 1985 in a variety of positions, from teacher to acting assistant superintendent.  She also spent six months as a principal-in-residence with the State Department of Education working directly with 16 schools in Bridgeport, Hartford and New Haven identified as “in need of improvement” to develop school improvement plans.
 
DiFiore holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Connecticut, a master’s in special education from Saint Joseph College, a sixth-year certificate in educational leadership from UConn and her certification for superintendency from UConn.
 
In both her roles at CREC, DiFiore works with teachers and principals at the nine magnet schools operated by CREC on boosting student achievement by continually refining school curricula.  As director of Teaching and Learning, she has the opportunity to help the agency’s 35 member districts do the same.
 
“This is a great opportunity to work in a variety of school systems, impacting children of all ages,” she said.
 
DiFiore has experience working with students at all levels – having served as assistant principal at both Weaver and Bulkeley high schools and as the principal of West Middle Elementary School in Hartford.
 
Though she enjoys working directly with the students, DiFiore said she feels that she can make a greater difference working with their teachers and principals.  “I’m teaching administrators and teachers how to better serve students, how to improve student achievement.  That’s what it’s all about.”
 
CREC is a non-profit, regional educational service center serving 35 Greater Hartford public school districts.  It was founded in 1966 by local school districts working together to solve common problems.  Today, CREC administers more than 120 programs and services spanning the entire educational spectrum with the same goal in mind.  CREC’s Division of Magnet Schools strives to offer the highest quality educational opportunities that reduce racial, ethnic and socio-economic isolation of students by initiating, developing and managing innovative educational programs.  For more information on CREC, its nine magnet schools and the Institute of Teaching and Learning, please visit www.crec.org.

Capitol Region Education Council
111 Charter Oak Avenue
Hartford, CT  06106
860-247-CREC
Fax 860-246-3304
www.crec.org
 
For Immediate Release:
August 5, 2005
 

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