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She will leave effective August 1.
A 39-year veteran educator, Flanagan has been with Greenwich Public Schools for seventeen years, first as principal of Glenville School (1999-2005), director of Human Resources (2005-2008), and deputy superintendent (2008-2016).
“I have loved working in the Greenwich Public Schools, particularly with the incredible staff and administrators," Flanagan said. "The decision to leave at this time was difficult to make. However, I have decided to focus on pursuing new career opportunities that have become available, roles which will provide me with new and exciting challenges and greater flexibility with my personal time.”
Superintendent of Public Schools Bill McKersie praised Flanagan for her work.
"Dr. Ellen Flanagan is one of the most knowledgeable, effective, and compassionate educators I have ever encountered," he said. "She will be sorely missed. She approaches every responsibility with tireless dedication and professionalism."
Board of Education chairman Laura Erickson joined with McKersie in praising Flanagan. “Dr. Flanagan likes nothing more than to be out in schools offering feedback and sharing best practices. She is the ‘go to’ person for so many people in the district," Erickson said. "Dr. Flanagan comes from a family steeped in education and helping students and teachers is her life's mission. We are grateful that Dr. Flanagan is able to remain with the District through August to ease the transition. We wish Dr. Flanagan every success in the future. She will always be part of the Greenwich Public School family.”
Flanagan began her career as an educator in 1977 teaching first graders at Good Shepherd Elementary School in Brooklyn, N.Y. In 1979, she moved to P.S. 229 and taught students with learning disabilities in grades 2-5. In 1988, Flanagan became assistant principal at P.S. 312K, a pre- kindergarten through fifth grade school and three years later became principal of the school.
While at P.S. 312K, she developed and piloted an individualized math program for Johns Hopkins University, began the first inclusion program in the district, and was instrumental in constructing an Environmental Studies Center at the school. In 1996, Flanagan became principal of Valley View School in Montville, N.J. where she created the first school web site for the district; organized Literacy Expos; and received a $10,000 grant to initiate a Parental Involvement Program, before joining the Greenwich Public Schools in 1999.
Flanagan received her Bachelor of Science in elementary education (1977); her master’s in reading (1980) and her Professional Diploma in Administration and Supervision (1984) from St. John’s University in New York, N.Y; and her Doctorate of Education from the University of Connecticut (2005).
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