Ashley Flamino has been named the new joint assistant principal for Jaffrey Grade School and Rindge Memorial School.
Flamino has spent her 14-year career with the Jaffrey-Rindge School District as an elementary school teacher, having started as a kindergarten teacher, but has experience working with students in all elementary grades in both Jaffrey Grade School and Rindge Memorial School. She is currently a Title 1 teacher at Jaffrey Grade School, a federally funded program that provides academic assistance to students in reading and math.
Flamino will take over as assistant principal on July 1. The assistant principal spends roughly equivalent time at both schools throughout the year.
“I am excited to see education through a new lens,” stated Flamino. “One great joy that I have had thus far is talking and collaborating with colleagues. We have so much talent at the elementary schools, and I am eager to support my colleagues, as well as our learners and their families along their elementary school journey.”
When JGS/RMS Assistant Principal Nicola Fraley was selected to be the new principal at Rindge Memorial School, a position she will start on July 1, Flamino decided to apply to fill the position.
“The opportunity opened, and I thought it would be a safe place to learn and grow, with colleagues I know and two administrators I already know and respect,” Flamino said. “The vast amount of creativity that I see in our learners, educators and administrators is impressive. Everyone brings their own strengths and talents to our schools in a unique and valuable way. I am honored to work alongside colleagues who I genuinely care for.”
“Ashley is a passionate, skilled educator who has an exciting vision for our two elementary schools,” stated Superintendent Reuben Duncan. “Her collaborative nature makes her the perfect fit for the shared assistant principal position. I look forward to seeing her grow in this new role.”
Flamino said she has been drawn to leadership roles in her teaching career, including being involved with initiatives such as the curriculum, instruction and assessment committee, the multi-tiered system of support for behavioral health and wellness committee and as a professional learning community lead. But she said she really began to consider an administrative career three years ago, when the district offered a leadership academy in which teachers could take a 15-credit leadership course through Keene State College.
Flamino, who already held a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a degree in sociology, said she had long been considering a master’s degree, and the leadership academy offered the opportunity to roll the credits into a full master’s degree course. She took that opportunity and will receive her master’s degree in educational leadership in August.
Flamino said she will miss the direct connection with students and learners, but is ready for the challenges of an administrative position. She said she’ll be spending her first year learning the job in her first administrative role, and her goals include continuing to build continuity between the two elementary schools, to ensure all students enter middle school on level ground.
“Every learner is welcome and every learner can do great things with proper support,” Flamino said. “I think our teachers are doing a great job, providing that equitable education for our students.”