New principal named for Parkwood
DURHAM—Dr. Rita Bongarten, a School Improvement Specialist for Durham Public Schools, has been named Principal of Parkwood Elementary School, replacing Twanjua Leathers, who has accepted a position in another state.
Bongarten has been a School Improvement Specialist in the office of Curriculum and Instruction for Durham Public Schools since September.
Before coming to Durham, Dr. Bongarten served as an Assistant Superintendent in Stratford, Conn. for a year; a Language Arts Curriculum Leader in Fairfield, Conn. for four years; and a teacher in Connecticut, Hong Kong and Illinois for a total of eight years.
“I am really looking forward to working with the staff and students of the Parkwood community,” said Dr. Bongarten. “This is a dream that I have had for a very long time, and I have worked to prepare for it. I am grateful to the Board of Education and to the Superintendent for their confidence in me.”
Dr. Bongarten holds a doctor of education degree in education leadership from the University of Connecticut, a master’s degree in curriculum development from Western Connecticut State University, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and education from Barat College in Illinois.
“Rita Bongarten brings to Parkwood Elementary School a broad array of experience and expertise in education,” said Superintendent Carl E. Harris. “We very much look forward to Dr. Bongarten’s great ideas, enthusiasm and leadership among the Parkwood staff, students and parents.”
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