At its meeting May 16, 2017, the Fishers Island Board of Education unanimously appointed Christian T. Arsenault as the new principal of the Fishers Island School, effective July 1, 2017.
Mr. Arsenault will assume principal duties as Mrs. Karen Goodwin moves
exclusively to the position of part-time Superintendent of Schools. Mrs.
Goodwin has served as principal of the Fishers Island School for the
past five years. Mr. Arsenault emerged as the top candidate from a very
strong field of 25 candidates.
Fishers Island Board of Education Chair Jamie Doucette said, “We are
delighted to be welcoming Christian and his family to Fishers Island. Of
all the candidates, he was the clear choice to join us and support our
growth. He related really well to the Board, staff, and students.”
Karen
Goodwin added, “Christian is passionate about school leadership and is
excited to become the principal of the school his own sons will attend.
He was impressed with our students and staff and looks forward to
working with them to bring our excellent school to the next level.”
Mr.
Arsenault has served for the past three years as founding principal of
the Capital Community College Magnet Academy in Hartford. There he was
responsible for every aspect of the school, from creating the logo to
hiring all staff to guiding the curriculum development to recruiting
students. Board President Jamie Doucette, BOE member Bill Bloethe,
Business Manager Jim Eagan, and Superintendent/Principal Karen Goodwin
visited his current workplace and saw firsthand the positive
relationships and high expectations he has developed with and for his
students and staff. He is universally respected as a caring and
effective school principal.
In his
cover letter, Christian recognized, “You would not be hiring me to just
run a school- You would be inviting me and my family to become a part of
an island community. I would be committing to partner with the
residents and businesses on Fishers Island for the betterment of our
community and its children.”
Arsenault
said, “I am honored and excited to be joining the Fishers Island School
and community. Fishers Island is a special place and it is a privilege
to be joining the work that is being done on behalf of its students. My
family and I cannot wait to get started.”
Arsenault
received his Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from the
University of Connecticut and his Master of Science in School
Counseling from Central Connecticut State University. He also received
his Intermediate Administration and Supervision Certification from the
Achievement First/Hartford Public Schools Residency Program for School
Leadership. Christian also taught Social Studies at Hartford Public High
School Nursing Academy as a Teach for America recruit.
Christian and his wife, Beth, have two sons: Owen, who is five, and Ben, who is two.
