Teaching and Learning

The Stamford Public Schools Teaching & Learning Department supports the work of more than 1,600 state-certified educators and administrators across the district’s 25 schools and academic programs. 

The Teaching & Learning Department provides SPS educators with the resources and professional development required to meet the academic and social emotional needs of Stamford’s 16,400+ students in PreK through Grade 12.  

The Teaching & Learning Department is comprised of six teams: 

1. Early Childhood (Birth to Age 5) 

2. Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment, Elementary (PreK-5) 

3. Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment, Secondary (6-12) 

4. Special Education & Related Services 

5. Enrichment & Supplemental Programs 

6. Systems & Student Outcome Data  

In addition to the full-time Teaching & Learning staff, building-based K-12 teachers are hired by the district, as needed, to work on curriculum committees and other projects during non-school hours. During the 2023-24 school year, more than 250 SPS educators were hired to help develop and write curriculum as part of the District’s 3-year project to bring curriculum in all content areas and across all grade levels to gold-star standard.  

Early Childhood Development & Intervention (Birth to Age 5) 

The Early Childhood Team works directly with more than 350 students who attend the APPLES PreK program operated by Stamford Public Schools. In addition, they provide school readiness and kindergarten transition guidance and support to more than 80 Early Childhood Programs throughout Stamford to help ensure children make a successful transition to kindergarten.  

Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment, Elementary (PreK-5) 

The Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment team plans, develops, and directs the implementation of curriculum and assessments in all content areas in grades PreK-5 and is also responsible for the creation and delivery of professional learning opportunities in support of high-quality classroom instruction. This team also manages the early kindergarten admission assessment process as well as the Multilingual Learner Programs in elementary schools.  

TOSA MTSS = Teacher on Special Assignment for Multi-Tiered Systems of Support 

Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment, Secondary (6-12) 

The Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment team plans, develops, and directs the implementation of curriculum and assessments in all content areas in grades 6-12 and also is responsible for the creation and delivery of professional learning opportunities in support of high-quality classroom instruction. This team also manages the Multilingual Learner Programs in secondary schools.  

Special Education & Related Services 

The Special Education & Student Support Services team works to ensure that students with disabilities have access to specialized instruction, related services, and accommodations so they can reach their full learning potential. This team also oversees the district's K-12 social emotional learning programs and student support services including social work, psychology, and speech language pathology. More than 16 percent of SPS students qualified for special education services in 2023-24.  

Enrichment and Supplemental Programs 

The Enrichment and Supplemental Programs team manages nearly 20 district-wide, multi-million-dollar grants that support both in-school programming (e.g. Title I and Title IV grants) and after school enrichment programming (e.g. ALTA, Extended School Hours, and 21st Century grants). This team manages the grant application process as well as budgeting, implementation, evaluation, and reporting for all grants received.  

Systems & Student Outcome Data 

The Systems & Student Outcome Data Team manages the district-wide Data Team and research workflows, and supports district-wide attendance reporting, state testing, and state data reporting. This team is also responsible for the district’s technology planning and implementation, including budgeting and hardware and software training and support.