• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

West Haven Voice

West Haven’s only independent news source - By and For West Haven

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Archive
  • Advertise With Us!
  • Classified
  • Announcements
  • Contact Us
  • Web Exclusive
    • Kids Activity Pages

Paredes named state’s best in her profession

November 28, 2018 By whvoice

A 17-year veteran of the city’s school system, and the person charged with keeping things running following the tragic death of a principal, has been named the Connecticut Association of Schools Assistant Principal of the year. Dana Paredes, who assumed the role of acting principal upon the death of Pam Gardner last month was alerted by letter just before the holiday break.

“On behalf of the Connecticut Association of Schools, I would like to congratulate you on your being selected as our state’s 2019 High School Assistant Principal of the Year. It is a fitting tribute to a woman who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and an unrivaled commitment to her students, school and community. You were chosen from a pool of gifted administrators, thus giving testimony to your prodigious success as an instructional leader and building manager,” wrote Donna Hayward, chairman of the selection committee.

Parades is one of three assistant principals honored by CAS, the others chosen from the middle and elementary school levels. The honor puts Paredes in the running for the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) award. Win or lose, Paredes will be honored at the national conference, scheduled for Boston July 18-20. The dinner honored the state award is scheduled for October.

“We are proud to have such an accomplished administrator representing us in this prestigious awards program, whether or not you are the winner of – or a finalist for – the national award,” wrote Hayward.

For Paredes, the road to the administrator’s chair began in 2001, when she was hired as an English teacher, then taught Spanish as well. In 2007 she was named Department Head for the World Language and English as a Second Language Dept., moving to assistant principal in 2010.

“My philosophy as an assistant principal has always been to try my best to do what’s right for kids. Sometimes you have to make decisions that aren’t popular, but I always keep in mind that if it was the right thing to do for kids then it was the right decision.  My philosophy as an acting principal remains the same, but being in this position does require me to look at things with a broader view. This job requires that I always think big picture,” she said.

The task of being assistant principal took on new and personally troubling aspects this year with the illness and eventual death of popular Principal Pam Gardner just weeks ago. Trying to navigate the running of the school along with the grief exhibited by faculty, staff and students was a daunting task.

“Losing Pam last month was tough on everyone, but she left us with the strength to carry forward in the way that she would want us to. Winning this award was definitely a welcome bit of positive news and definitely had a positive impact on the school community.  I’ve done my best to guide the school community through this loss, though at times it has been difficult because I’ve also lost a close friend,” she said.

Paredes maintains her allegiance to the city and system are only made stronger by the fact she was nominated for and won the award.

“I’m thrilled to represent West Haven in such a positive way. I love this school, and this community, and am so happy to be able to bring home this award for us,” she said.

Filed Under: 112918

Primary Sidebar

Seach our site

Follow us on Facebook

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

Historian's Corner ... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Historian’s Corner

westhavenvoice.com

Historian’s Corner June 4, 2025 By whvoice 1 Comment By Dan Shine Voice Columnist West Haven Veterans Museum Part II See part 1 The West Haven Veterans Museum and Learning Center offers exhibits on ...
6 days ago
View Comments
  • likes Like 0
  • Comments: 0
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

Letters ... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Letters

westhavenvoice.com

Letters June 4, 2025 By whvoice Leave a Comment Peace Officer Memorial proposed Thursday, May 15, marked National Peace Officers Memorial Day. It is a day that we honor and remember law enforcement of...
1 week ago
View Comments
  • likes Like 0
  • Comments: 0
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

Editorial ... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Editorial

westhavenvoice.com

Editorial June 4, 2025 By whvoice Leave a Comment Have we learned a lesson? The recent decision by the Municipal Accountability Review Board (MARB) has been hailed by city officials as a banner day fo...
1 week ago
View Comments
  • likes Like 0
  • Comments: 0
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

Dear Felicia ... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Dear Felicia

westhavenvoice.com

Dear Felicia June 4, 2025 By whvoice Leave a Comment By the time yew git this missive, m’dear, it’s the beginning of June! It seems hard to believe in many ways. It seems Cobina was shoveling the ...
1 week ago
View Comments
  • likes Like 0
  • Comments: 0
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

Load more

 

 

West Haven’s Calendar

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
West Haven Calendar
2 years ago
West Haven Calendar

Thursday Night Live (This one's on Friday!!!)

... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Thursday Night Live (This one's on Friday!!!)

tockify.com

Fri 23 Jun, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM [EDT]: Event by Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce, CT Old Grove Park Public · Anyone on or off Facebook West Haven summer concerts are back! Join us in West Haven thi...
View Comments
  • likes Like 0
  • Comments: 1
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

1 CommentsComment on Facebook

West Haven Calendar
2 years ago
West Haven Calendar

Mark Your West Haven Calendar

tockify.com/west.haven.calendar/detail/442/1686776400000

Business After Hours West Haven Veterans Museum
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Business After Hours West Haven Veterans Museum

tockify.com

Wed 14 Jun, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM [EDT]: Business After Hours West Haven Veterans Museum West Haven Veterans Museum & Learning Center Event by Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce, CT West Haven Veterans ...
View Comments
  • likes Like 0
  • Comments: 0
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

West Haven Calendar
2 years ago
West Haven Calendar

Added for June 10th & 11th

tockify.com/west.haven.calendar/detail/443/1686405600000

West Haven Historical Society Open House
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

West Haven Historical Society Open House

tockify.com

Sat 10 Jun, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM [EDT]:
View Comments
  • likes Like 2
  • Comments: 1
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

1 CommentsComment on Facebook

Load more

Footer

Address

West Haven Voice
840 Boston Post Road
West Haven, CT

 

Contact us

Call (203) 934-6397

Contact form

SITE NAVIGATION

HOME
ABOUT US
ARCHIVE
ADVERTISE!
CLASSIFIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CONTACT US
WEB EXCLUSIVE

FIND US IN PRINT

Our print edition is available each Thursday. Here is a list of locations!

Letters Policy

Information on submitting letters to us.

Our submission deadlines.

Copyright © 2025 West Haven Voice, LLC