Greenwich Schools Appoints New Principal at New Lebanon School

Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones announced Wednesday the appointment of Dr. Daniel Russo as principal of New Lebanon School, effective July 1.

Dr. Russo replaces Alexandra Michaelson, who announced in February that she will be leaving at the end of school for a head of school position in her hometown in California.

Dr. Russo is currently the deputy superintendent in New York City Department of Education’s District 11 in the Bronx, a position he has held since 2020.

“Dr. Daniel Russo has an impressive body of work as a highly knowledgeable, analytical, dedicated, instructional school leader who knows how to work collaboratively for the best interest of all children, while also being a creative problem solver. He is extremely impressive and will be an amazing addition to the New Lebanon Community,” Dr. Jones said in a release. “The interview committee, consisting of GPS teachers, parents, and senior administrators, recognized Dr. Russo as a great fit for the truly amazing New Lebanon community and he was selected from an applicant pool exceeding 50 high-quality candidates from across the region.

“I am honored to be joining Greenwich Public Schools as the next principal of New Lebanon School and I look forward to getting to know the students, staff, and parents of the community in the months ahead, as we begin to chart the next chapter for the school together,” Dr. Russo said. “The vibrance of the Byram community, the staff’s amazing reputation, and the limitless potential of the students inspire me to further build upon the great work done under Principal Michaelson’s leadership. I am confident that my prior experience as principal of an International Baccalaureate, in a community with the same richness and diversity as New Lebanon’s, allows me to meet the school where they are at this moment, with so many successes in recent years.”

Prior to his time in District 11, Dr. Russo served as the principal of P.S. 294: The Walton Avenue School in the Bronx from 2013 through 2020. Dr. Russo helped transform one of the most historically challenging elementary schools in the Bronx into a thriving educational institution that had the highest ranking in standardized test proficiency in New York City according to the Department of Education’s 2018 Student Impact Scores. At Walton Avenue, he was a two time Community Education Council District 9 Principal of the Year and a New Settlement Parent Action Committee Visionary School Leader Award winner. It was through Dr. Russo’s leadership that he brought the only International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (PYP) to the Bronx. He began his career teaching fifth grade at P.S. 76 in the Bronx and was awarded the distinction of Model Teacher by School Administration. 

Dr. Russo earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education & Teaching, a Master of Science in Special Education & Teaching, Advanced Certificate, School District Leadership, and Professional Diploma, School Building Leadership from Manhattan College, and a Doctor of Education in Leadership & Innovation from New York University.

See also:

Greenwich Schools Chief Appoints New Principal at Eastern Middle School

New Principal Announced for Western Middle School

At New Lebanon School, an All-Hands-on-Deck Approach to Learning is Reaping Rewards