VIKING SPIRIT Principal Ms. Figluizzi smiles with the New England Regional Champions at the band banquet in November.

Feature‘My time here has made me very proud’

Figluizzi reflects on 12 years as PrincipalSam Lagasse

Express Editor

The Westword sat down with Principal Figluizzi to discuss her administrative experiences in the Stamford Public Schools and her feelings about moving forward.

The Westword: When did you first decide that you wanted to be an administrator?Principal Figluizzi: I didn’t really decide. I was originally a special education teacher, and someone in the administration suggested that I become an administrative in-tern. So I decided to take the offer. After working as a special educa-tion teacher at Roxbury [Elemen-tary School] and Cloonan [Middle School], I had my first administra-tive job as a principal at Stamford High. I then went on to become a principal at Toquam [Elementary School] and Davenport [Elemen-tary School].TW: How would you describe your time spent at Davenport,

Toquam, and Stamford High in relation to your success as an administrator?PF: I think I learned how to look at all sides of an issue before making decisions. I learned and I received insight as to how to work with par-ents. The superintendent thought that I was ready to be a principal at a larger school.TW: Prior to your arrival at Westhill, what do you feel were some of your best and worst mo-ments as an administrator?PF: I think that some of my best moments were in creating solu-tions to solve particular problems. At Stamford High, I was able to design schedules and programs for students that met their needs, hav-ing the power to do that made me feel very fulfilled.

My worst moments were in making mistakes—mistakes that you make because you are learn-ing. But, what you learn is not to make those same mistakes again.TW: Are there any moments of which you are particularly

proud?PF: I am proud when I see stu-dents after not having seen them for a while, and of the fact that they are happy to see me and hap-py with what I did for them. Also, I am proud of having been able to manage an educational institution with a doubling population, a new staff, and many new programs.TW: How has your time spent at Westhill impacted your career as an administrator?PF: Well, I think it’s evident in the length of time that I’ve stayed here. I’ve had many fulfilling moments, and it’s been fun. I have learned more [than] I could have ever dreamed to learn. My time here has made me very proud. There’s never a day when I pull out of the driveway and am not proud to go to work.TW: If you had the option, is there anything you would change about your Westhill ex-perience?PF: Hindsight is 20/20. Certainly, there are things I would have liked

to change at the time that they happened. Overall, I will never have a negative feeling about my time spent at Westhill. I have en-joyed being a high school prin-cipal much more than I enjoyed being an elementary school prin-cipal. I’m also very happy with all of the people that I’ve hired here.TW: What will you miss the most about Westhill?PF: The kids. [They all] are in-spiring, thoughtful, and full of potential.TW: In your opinion, what does Westhill contribute most to the educational community of Stamford?PF: This school has shown the whole community the degree to which all students can achieve, and that all students have the same opportunities to be successful. Westhill shows its students how big the world is, and how worthy they are to be a part of it.TW: How has your experience as a Westhill administrator helped to shape this ideal?

PF: I think my contribution has been in putting wonderful teachers in place to instill a vision in all of the students.TW: What excites you the most about your new position?PF: I am most excited about be-ing able to be creative, and get-ting to work with other profes-sionals throughout the city and state levels. It’s also a lot of anx-iety—not so much about the new position as it is about leaving. This will be my first position in which I am not directly involved with children. Also, I’ve been at the same place for twelve years, it will feel strange not to work here anymore. Leaving will be bittersweet—an overused saying, but nevertheless very true.TW: Do you have a final message for the students of Westhill?PF: I hope that our paths will cross again, and I sincerely want to thank all of you for your contribu-tions, which will always make me “Westhill and Proud.”

Elissa Miolene / Photo Manager

15