As the school year approaches its end, Essex Elementary School Assistant Principal Deb O’Donnell is beginning to plan for the next chapter of her life, and has started the bittersweet process of saying her goodbyes to students and staff after 35 years in education. Up north a bit, Jennifer Tousignant is doing the same at her school in New Britain in anticipation of becoming the new Essex Elementary School assistant principal.

Tousignant, who currently works as a curriculum specialist in the New Britain Public School system, has been chosen to become O’Donnell’s successor following a rigorous interviewing process, which involved her interviewing with more than 40 different people.

Tousignant has a 15-year background in public education for the past 15 years, including a foundation in elementary education, curriculum development (specializing in reading and writing), and teacher leadership. She currently resides in Haddam, where she lives with her husband and two daughters, and will officially start her new position as Essex Elementary School assistant principal in August.

“Jennifer is fabulous,” said Superintendent of Schools Ruth Levy. “One of the last portions of the interview process included us doing a site visit to Jennifer’s school. The visit confirmed everything we thought about her. She is a very professional educator, with extensive leadership and research qualities, and it is evident that she has a great love for children. We feel she will be a great addition to our school system and an asset as a partner to Principal Scott Jeffrey at Essex Elementary School.”

Tousignant was officially appointed by the Essex Elementary School Board of Education at its May 14 meeting.

“It was a long, excellent process,” added Levy, who explained that the interviewing process has been ongoing since March. There were 127 applications for the assistant principal position from all over the country. Interviews were initially conducted via the telephone; 20 different people asked interviewees more than 32 different questions. Interviewees were then asked back for a focus group conversation.

“We did reference and background checks, then we met with central office, as well as Principal Scott Jeffrey. It was not a short process, but we are confident we have chosen a fantastic candidate in Jennifer,” said Levy.

Jeffrey said he will miss O’Donnell.

“Deb has been a tremendous partner for the past three years, and we are sad to see her go. She has provided me, the school, the staff, and the students with an enormous amount of support, and her time here has enriched us all,” he said, adding, “Jennifer is exciting and energetic, and we are looking forward to her becoming a part of the school here at Essex Elementary. She has an extensive background in classroom work, as well as curriculum work, and she has a lot to offer. We are looking forward to welcoming her here. I think moving forward she will make a great partner in our school.”