Montville, Meet the New Murphy School Principal

Amy Espinoza, 43, is the new principal of the Charles E. Murphy School. She replaces Jeffrey Newton, who left at the end of June to become the director of special education in Westbrook.

The Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday night to accept Espinoza as principal.

Espinoza grew up in Waterbury, and now lives in Lisbon. She has been an elementary school teacher for 22 years, working in the Norwich school system for 19 of those years, she says. She worked for six years as a teacher and literary coach, and was assistant principal at Wequonnoc School in Norwich last year.

Superintendent Pam Aubin worked with Espinoza at Norwich, and says that Espinoza "resonated with the (search) committee," for her ability to communicate, and her solid and articulate answers.

Bob Mitchell, a board member who served on the search committee, said that Espinoza "was an extremely strong candidate out of an extremely strong pool of outstanding people. She rose to the top," he said.

Carrie Baxter, board member, search committee member and parent of a Murphy School pupil, said that there was "overwhelming support for Amy on the committee.... I think she is going to excel with the students and the teachers."

Asked for particulars, Mitchell cited Espinoza's confidence. She was thinking on hter feet, able to articulate her answers, and "she had very good ideas, very good answers."

Aubin also said that in the second interview, Espinoza responded particularly well to questions about helping disadvantaged pupils grow in the learning environment, and questions about building positive relationships with the union.

Tracy Wigfield, who is a parent and a Grade 4 teacher at Murphy, said that she felt Espinoza had high standards, and that she would be "the perfect fit for our team at Murphy."

Mary Aledia, a second grade teacher at Murphy and vice president of the Montville Education Association, said the she believes that Espinoza "is the person who will help us grow."