Greenwich Public Schools Appoints New K-8 Math and K-8 Science Coordinators

Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones has appointed Michael Reid as Coordinator, K-8 Mathematics for Greenwich Public Schools and Tara O’Neill, Coordinator, K-8 Science for GPS, effective July 1, 2021.

Reid and O’Neill will be responsible for the design, development, and evaluation of the math and science academic programs, respectively.

In addition, they will provide organization and leadership in the adoption and use of instructional materials; plan and conduct professional learning and development for staff members; conduct teacher evaluations; keep all stakeholders informed of program developments, and numerous other responsibilities related to curriculum and development. In addition, O’Neill’s role will also serve as the Summer School Program Coordinator for the district, coordinating and overseeing this instructional program.

Tara O’Neill Greenwich School’s new coordinator for K-8 Science.

Superintendent Dr. Jones said, “We are excited for Mr. Reid and Ms. O’Neill to take on these roles at such a crucial time for our District. Mike will play an instrumental part in rolling out our new K-8 Math Textbooks, and Tara will be imperative for our continued work with NGSS and science curriculum alignment to our standards. With the retirement of our STEM Coordinator and a Media Specialist Coordinator position that has remained unfilled as we analyzed efficiencies over this school year, this was an opportunity for our District to reimagine this role.”

“As we’ve shared at our recent Board Meetings, creating dedicated Math and Science Coordinators will help position our District for strong commitment, support and oversight of these crucial subject areas,” Jones added. “We know our Math and Science curriculums are in great hands with Mr. Reid and Ms. O’Neill at the helm.” 

Michael Reid is Greenwich Schools new Coordinator for K-8 Mathematics

Reid has been with Greenwich Schools for 15 years, beginning his career with the District as an Elementary Teacher serving North Mianus School, the International School at Dundee, and Hamilton Avenue School.

Over the course of his career with Greenwich Schools, he has served as an Assistant Principal at North Street School and Cos Cob School, responsible for managing and conducting Planning and Placement Team meetings; supporting professional development for school staff; preparing class schedules, master schedules, and extracurricular activities; and partnering to develop and lead school programs in connection with school and district goals and objectives.

Prior to this role, he also served as an Instructional Coach, serving all of the District’s schools, and was responsible for: coaching new and veteran teachers in the implementation of research-based best practices in Mathematics and other subjects; collaborating with individuals and teams in planning instruction; providing professional development to staff members; integrating digital learning; and demonstrating and modeling instructional strategies, among many other responsibilities.

“I’m humbled and honored to serve as the new math coordinator,” Reid said. “I am excited to lead the rollout efforts this summer as we ready our wonderful teachers for the new year. The future of math in Greenwich is very bright and I am truly grateful for the opportunity.”

Ms. O’Neill joins GPS from the Meriden Public Schools District where she most recently served as a Science Department Leader for Washington Middle School, and Systems and Operations Committee Chair for the District’s Leadership Team.

In these roles she was responsible for reconstructing curricular materials, scope, sequence and pacing to support teachers; supporting staff in continued evaluation of best practices through research-based NGSS teaching strategies; collaborating to oversee vertical and horizontal alignment of K-12 science standards; and collaborating with fellow District Leadership Team Chairs to create and implement the three-year District Improvement Plan, in addition to numerous other responsibilities.

Prior to these concurrent roles, she was an Administrative Intern with Lincoln Middle School, and a classroom Science Teacher at both the elementary and secondary levels. Additionally, Ms. O’Neill is currently an Adjunct Professor at Quinnipiac University teaching a course in Elementary Science Methods.

“I am extremely excited to join the GPS team. I look forward to working together with teachers as we guide students in authentic learning experiences rooted in three-dimensional science learning,” O’Neill said. “Greenwich is dedicated to helping students make sense of the natural world, and I cannot wait to dig in and get to work.”

Mr. Reid holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Connecticut College, a Masters of Art in Teaching in Elementary Education from Sacred Heart University, a Sixth Year Certification with a Concentration in Differentiated Learning from the University of La Verne, and holds a Connecticut 092 Administration Certification from Sacred Heart University. Additionally, he has presented at and attended numerous professional development workshops, building his skill and expertise in instructional strategies and curriculum design.

Ms. O’Neill holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Connecticut in Integrated Geological Sciences, a Masters of Science in Secondary Science Education from the University of New Haven, and a Master of Arts and Sixth Year Certification in Educational Leadership and Administration from Quinnipiac University. Additionally, she has attended and participated in numerous professional development workshops, served on several committees, and has been recognized as the 2020 Meriden Public Schools Teacher of the Year, as well as a 2020 Finalist for the Connecticut Teacher of the Year.