“Since her appointment in January to serve as SDE’s interim commissioner, Dianna Roberge-Wentzell has demonstrated the leadership qualities valued most by our member educators. Among those are her embrace of collaboration with stakeholders — including teachers, parents, and administrators — to address and solve the challenges facing Connecticut’s schools.
“Dianna has also shown herself to be a good listener, a fundamental element for any partnership — and one that fosters the mutual trust and respect demanded of her position.
“Our members for more than a year have advocated for permanent leadership at the state’s education department with actual classroom experience. Her service as interim commissioner over these past four months has shown that Dianna has more than just the right background; she has the right temperament and understands what it means to be a teacher.
“We applaud the Malloy-Administration for recognizing Dianna’s leadership qualities and choosing her to lead the department going forward. We appreciate the opportunity to continue the collaborative relationship we’ve begun to work toward a better future for all Connecticut’s students.”
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AFT Connecticut represents more than 29,000 professionals across the state, including PreK-12 teachers, paraeducators and education support personnel in 29 local and regional school districts. Follow the union on Twitter at @AFTCT and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aftct.
