Press Releases

Area Cooperative Educational Services Announces hiring of Assistant Principal for Educational Center for the Arts

July 27th, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(North Haven, CT – June 23, 2023) Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) is pleased to announce the appointment of Amy Christman as the new Assistant Principal for Educational Center for the Arts (ECA), effective July 1, 2023. With a strong background in education and a passion for the arts, Ms. Christman is well suited to support the school's mission and foster an environment of creativity and academic excellence. She brings a wealth of experience to her new role, having served as ECA’s Music Department Chair and Choral Director since 2011. Ms. Christman was also honored as ACES Teacher of the Year in 2022, and as a Semi-Finalist for 2023 CT State Teacher of the Year.

Located in the heart of New Haven's Audubon Arts District, ACES ECA is a public magnet high school that serves 25 school districts in south central Connecticut and beyond. The school has a rich history of 50 years and is renowned for its focus on music, dance, theater, creative writing, and visual arts. The campus features multiple gallery and performance spaces, fostering an immersive arts experience for its students. Kevin Buno, the new principal at ECA, and Amy Christman will bring ample talent and experience to the school’s new administrative team.

Ms. Christman will play a crucial role in shaping the school culture, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring academic success for all students. She will oversee the implementation of policies, regulations, and procedures to create a safe learning environment that aligns with ACES' vision and mission. Moreover, she will be responsible for developing and coordinating rigorous arts curriculum that meets the needs of diverse learners.

Ms. Christman demonstrates excellence in various areas. She possesses a deep commitment to promoting equity and diversity among students and staff and is dedicated to leading toward equitable academic success for all students. With experience in collective capacity building, she will foster collaboration among faculty, school districts, and external agencies. Amy will support, lead, and sustain the innovative magnet program at ACES ECA, ensuring the success and achievement of all students. “Amy’s appointment as the Assistant Principal for ACES ECA marks our ongoing commitment to nurturing and fostering academic excellence. Her extensive experience in education, coupled with her passion for the arts, makes her the perfect fit. We are confident that under her leadership, ECA will continue to thrive,” said Dr. Thomas M. Danehy, Executive Director of ACES. Additionally, Ms. Christman brings valuable experience through her role as a K-12 Music Curriculum Specialist for The Juilliard School, whose collaboration with Nord Anglia Education supports robust arts programming in over 55 British international schools. This collaboration includes tailored support from Juilliard K-12 Dance, Drama, and Music Curriculum Specialists, through professional development workshops, demonstration lessons, curriculum development, and a role as thought partners to classroom teachers. Amy’s experience in this role enhances her ability to drive excellence in arts education at ACES ECA.

Ms. Christman holds an impressive educational background, including a 6th Year/MA in Educational Leadership from Quinnipiac University, an MA in Philosophy and Education from Teachers College Columbia University, and a BME in Music Education & Piano from the Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester. She has continued to pursue professional development opportunities throughout her career, such as advanced choral conducting at the Eastman School of Music and the Harvard Graduate School of Education's Redesigning the American High School Institute.

For more information about ACES Educational Center for the Arts, its educational programs, and our new assistant principal, please visit our website, https://www.aces.org/schools-programs/magnet-schools/educational-center-for-the-arts

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About ACES:

Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) is the regional educational service center for New Haven and parts of Middlesex Counties. Established in 1969, ACES strives each day to fulfill its vision of creating an equitable and socially just world, one life at a time. ACES serves its members districts and others through an ever-growing array of programs, services, and schools that meet the needs of a changing educational landscape. As a school district, ACES operates three magnet and eight special education schools. ACES services range from transportation, professional development, school improvement services, technology, translation, international, security, and occupational and physical therapy. ACES operates the Open and Magnet School Parent Choice programs for New Haven County. Its programs include a federally funded Early Head Start Program and ACES ACCESS, a vocational and life skills program for developmentally and physically disabled adults ages 21 and older. For more information, go to www.aces.org.