The Darien Board of Education on Tuesday unanimously appointed Christopher Tranberg as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction for the school district.
Contributed photo
Chris Tranberg
— This article is an adaptation of a news release from Darien Public Schools.
Tranberg replaces Dr. Susie Da Silva, who has been appointed superintendent of the Ridgefield Public Schools. Mr. Tranberg is expected to begin work in Darien in April 2020, when Da Silva’s resignation takes effect.
Tranberg currently serves as the assistant superintendent of the Granby Public Schools in Granby. For three years, he worked there with current Darien Superintendent Alan Addley (who was then Granby’s superintendent), first as the director of teaching and talent development, and then as assistant superintendent.
“I welcome Mr. Tranberg as a member of the cabinet knowing that he brings diverse K-12 experiences and expertise to the district,” Addley said. “Mr. Tranberg is a highly respected administrator and I know he passionately looks forward to contributing to Darien’s reputation for excellence.”
Tranberg began his career in education as a music teacher and has co-authored two music textbooks. He has been a high school principal and assistant principal in the Hartford suburbs and is active in the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, as Addley has been.
“I am honored to join a community with such a strong commitment to teaching and learning,” Tranberg said after his appointment Tuesday evening. “Darien is an iconic school system with a history of student-centered excellence and innovation where I am excited to take part. I am looking forward to honoring past traditions and joining in future celebrations with the Blue Wave starting this spring.”
From Chris Tranberg's Twitter account
Chris Tranberg, from a photo posted last May on his Twitter account.
Before he worked in Granby, Tranberg served as principal of Avon High School in Avon for three years, as assistant principal of Simsbury High School in Simsbury for three years and as director of performing arts in Simsbury for two years.
Prior to his work in administration, Mr. Tranberg worked for eight years as an elementary music teacher in Connecticut, New Jersey and Ohio.
Tranberg is currently a Ph.D. candidate in educational leadership, policy and administration at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
He received his bachelor’s degree in music education from the Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory of Music in Berea, Ohio, his master’s degree in music education from the University of Hartford, Hartt School of Music and a certificate in educational leadership from Sacred Heart University.
As a district, school and department leader Tranberg exhibits passion and commitment to equity and access for all learners. Through building professional learning communities, providing high-quality learning experiences for teachers, and developing viable curricula across content areas, he collaboratively works with educators to remove barriers to student learning.
Tranberg is an active presenter and consultant in the areas of equitable instructional practices, curriculum development, measurement and evaluation, teacher collaboration, and various topics in music education.
He was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS) as a representative of assistant superintendents and executive district leaders who support superintendents.
He is a founding member of the Feierabend Association of Music Education (FAME) and served as the initial chair of teacher training at the inception of the organization. More recently, Mr. Tranberg was one of five co-authors of “First Steps in Music with Orff Schulwerk,” and the upcoming “Conversational Solfege with Orff Schulwerk,” published by GIA Publications.