Stamford Public Schools Names Permanent Assistant Principals at Cloonan Middle School and Davenport Ridge Elementary

Superintendent Dr. Tamu Lucero announced today that Jillian Churchill has been named the permanent Assistant Principal at Cloonan Middle School, while Melissa Fano-Dropick has been named the permanent Assistant Principal at Davenport Ridge Elementary School. Both Ms. Churchill and Ms. Fano-Dropick are currently serving as interim assistant principals at Cloonan and Davenport, respectively. The permanent appointments are effective July 1, 2025. 

Ms. Churchill began her career with Stamford Public Schools as a third grade teacher at Newfield Elementary and later taught sixth grade English Language Arts at Scofield Magnet Middle School and sixth grade science and social studies at Cloonan. She was named Cloonan’s Administrative Intern in 2020 and was named Assistant Principal (206 day) in 2021. Ms. Churchill was appointed interim Assistant Principal (224 day) in June 2024.  

Ms. Fano began her career with Stamford Public Schools as a special education teacher at Rippowam Middle School and later served as Rippowam’s special education PPT facilitator and learning performance and data coach. She joined Stillmeadow as a special education teacher in 2008 and was named the Scientific Research Based Intervention (SRBI) teacher in 2019. Ms. Fano joined Davenport Ridge as the teacher-leader for student support in 2022 and was appointed interim assistant principal (224 day) in July 2023. 

Both candidates were selected through a competitive hiring process that attracted candidates from within and outside Stamford Public Schools. Committees of teachers, staff, parents, and community members conducted the first two rounds of candidate interviews. Final candidates interviewed with an associate superintendent and Dr. Lucero.  

Ms. Churchill earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Central Connecticut State University and a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from Fairfield University. She has professional certifications in K-6 Elementary Education (CT 013) and K-12 Intermediate Administration or Supervision (CT 092).  Ms. Churchill received the SPS Spotlight on Teaching Award in 2020.

Ms. Fano earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Central Connecticut State University, a Master of Education in Special Education from Saint Joseph College, and both a Master of Education in Remedial Reading and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Sacred Heart University. She has professional certifications in  Comprehensive Special Education PreK-12 (CT 065), Remedial Reading 1-12 (CT 102), and K-12 Intermediate Administration or Supervision (CT 092).