Gusy Coming Back to Vernon as an Administrator

The new administrator walking the halls of Rockville High School will be in familiar territory when students begin back to school in late August. He has walked them many times himself over the years.

The Vernon Board of Education voted unanimously on Monday night to hire Justin Gusy as a new assistant principal at Rockville High School. Gusy is not new to Vernon. He is a product of the Vernon School System. He attended Center Road School, Vernon Center Middle School and graduated from Rockville High School with the Class of 1998.

Gusy said he is looking forward to returning to his educational roots and giving back to the community that gave educationally to him. Gusy has been drawn to teaching and looks forward to contributing to the educational system here in Vernon.

“I always wanted to teach.  That (high school) is where my experience is. “I am attracted to this level - high school students.” Gusy said. “I am interested in a challenge and the ability to talk to high school students at an adult level. I really enjoyed Vernon growing up. I’m looking forward to being here.”

He will leave the Bristol public school system to join the Rockville High administrative team.

He will be leaving a post as a literacy coordinator where he implemented a plan that led to an 80 percent increase in students achieving goal and a 32 percent increase in the amount of students achieving proficiency in reading across disciplines on the Connecticut Achievement and Performance Test, according to Gusy’s resume.  He also has Building Data Team experience and New England Association of Schools and Colleges experience. Rockville High School will begin preparation next year for the upcoming visit of NEASC.

Eric Baim, principal of Rockville High School, was excited the board approved the committee’s nomination. He said he is looking forward to working with Gusy and likes what Gusy has to offer the high school particularly his experience with data teams and PBSI (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports), a program that the high school will implement this coming school year joining the rest of the district’s schools.

“He had the qualifications we were looking for.  It seemed like a perfect fit.” Baim said. “He has strength in literacy and in the accreditation process. He has experience is many of the initiatives we are doing at Rockville.”

Gusy also worked as an English teacher, most recently teaching Advanced Placement English Language and Composition while in Bristol. He advised the school newspaper and worked on writing curriculum with other teachers.

Gusy was also an afterschool high school coordinator from 2005 to 2006 where he worked with ninth and tenth graders, facilitated a transition program to reintroduce Afternoon High School students into the regular academic school day, according to Gusy’s resume. Gusy has coached classroom management strategies to other teachers as well.

Gusy is a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Science in English Education (2002) and a Master of Arts in Education (2003). In 2009, Gusy was awarded his Sixth Year in Educational Administration and Leadership from Central Connecticut State University.