Katherine Dimoulas, previously an assistant principal at Darien High School, has been appointed principal of Middlesex Middle School, the superintendent of schools announced.
These five other new Darien school administrators were also appointed: Timothy Monahan as assistant principal at the school; Meghan Emanuelson, assistant principal at Darien High School; Keith Keeler, another assistant principle at DHS; Jaclyn Welsh, assistant principal at Oxford Elementary School; and Kristen Colonies, English Department chair for Grades 6 to 12.
— an announcement from Darien Public Schools
Except for Monahan, all the officials will start work this Monday, July 29.
Photo from Darien Public Schools
Katherine Dimoulas, just appointed principal of Middlesex Middle School.
“Kate’s teaching experience as a middle school teacher and administrative experiences as well as accomplishments and skills as a Darien High School assistant principal for the past seven years will help ensure continuity of leadership and a smooth transition for our Middlesex Middle School students, staff and families, Schools Superintendent Alan Addley said. “We offer Kate congratulations and wish her much success in her new position.”
Kate Dimoulas began her teaching career in 2009 as a high school English teacher at the Norwich Free Academy in Norwich after graduating from Connecticut College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in narrative studies and from Teachers College, Columbia University, with a master’s degree in the teaching of English.
Kate also received her Sixth Year Degree in educational leadership from Southern Connecticut State University. Kate taught in Norwich for a year before moving to Newtown, where she taught language arts at the middle school for four years and then served as an English teacher and critical literacy coach for three years.
Kate came to Darien High School as an assistant principal in 2017. Among her many other achievements in Darien, Kate has co-chaired the NEASC Self-Reflection Steering Committee and led the District’s Guiding Coalition for the Vision of the Graduate.
“I am grateful for the seven years I have spent with the Darien High School community and am honored to have the opportunity to continue to serve the district as Principal of Middlesex Middle School,” Kate said. “I look forward to getting to know and work with the students, faculty, and families at MMS.”
Tim Monahan, Middlesex Assistant Principal
Tim Monahan has been serving as a Middle School Assistant Principal for the last three years in Ridgewood, New Jersey. Prior to that, he taught high school social studies for 17 years including economics, psychology, history, and law.
Photo from Darien Public Schools
Timothy Monahan, new assistant principal at Middlesex Middle School.
“I am extremely grateful to have this opportunity to serve the students, staff, and families of Darien and Middlesex Middle School,” Monahan said. “I believe that it takes a village to raise a child, and I am looking forward to joining the Darien school community to help our students grow in a safe, healthy environment.
“I will be working diligently to support and foster student growth in academics, but also socially and emotionally.”
Monahan has received several professional honors, including the New Jersey Department of Education Exemplary Educator recognition (2021), Ridgewood High School Teacher of the Year (2020), and the Council of Economic Education Alfred P. Sloan Teaching Champion Award (2018).
He has also served as a technology and innovation specialist, an athletic coach (lacrosse and football), and as the advisor to numerous co-curricular clubs.
Monahan earned his undergraduate degree in experimental psychology with a double minor in history and education from the University of South Carolina. He has earned three graduate degrees: an M.A. in secondary education from the University of South Carolina, an M.A. in history from Fordham University, and an M.A. in educational leadership from Ramapo College.
He has also completed coursework from Rutgers Law School, and is currently working towards a doctoral degree from Fairfield University.
“Tim’s middle school and high school administrative experiences in New Jersey make him a welcomed addition to the Middlesex Middle School administrative team and a supportive resource to students, staff and families,” Addley said. “We congratulate Tim on his appointment and welcome him to the Darien community.”
We anticipate Tim joining the middle school prior to the start of the school year.
Meghan Emanuelson, DHS Assistant Principal
Meghan Emanuelson received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Florida and her master’s degree in counseling education from Fairfield University. She received her Sixth Year Degree in educational leadership from Sacred Heart University.
Photo from Darien Public Schools
Meghan Emanuelson, a new assistant principal at Darien High School.
“Meghan’s exceptional years of service work as a Darien school counselor and director of school counseling will be an invaluable resource to students, staff and families as she transitions to her new role as assistant principal. We wish Meghan well in her new position,” Addley said.
Meghan began her school counseling career in 2002 as a school counselor at Trumbull High School. The next year she moved to Fairfield Warde High School and served as a school counselor there for three years.
In 2007, Meghan moved to Saxe Middle School in New Canaan, where she served as a school counselor for three years before moving to the New Fairfield Day Alternative Learning Center as a clinician for a year.
From 2011 to 2014 Meghan served as the director of school and college counseling at the Gifft Hill School in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. She joined the faculty at Darien High School in 2014 as a school counselor and in 2018 became the director of school counseling, serving for five years.
“I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve the Darien Public Schools as an Assistant Principal at Darien High School,” Emanuelson said. “I am greatly looking forward to supporting students, families and staff in this new role.”
Keith Keeler, DHS Assistant Principal
Keith Keeler received both a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education with a concentration in social studies and a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Villanova University.
Photo from Darien Public Schools
Keith Keeler, a new assistant principal at Darien High School
“Keith’s 20 years of teaching and administrative experience in Darien and his expertise in high school curriculum, teaching and learning provide him with the necessary skills to be a welcomed addition to the high school administrative team and be an invaluable resource to our high students, staff and families,” Addley said
Keeler received a Master of Arts degree in the teaching of social studies from Teachers College, Columbia University and a Sixth Year Degree in Educational Leadership from Sacred Heart University.
Keith has spent his entire career in Darien, first as a social studies teacher from 2004–2017, then as the department coordinator for Social Studies from 2015–2017, a position which included teaching responsibilities. He then transitioned to the Social Studies Department chair from 2017 to the present.
“It is an honor and a privilege to have been chosen to be an assistant principal at DHS,” Keeler said. “I’m excited to expand my relationships and work with the students, families, faculty, and staff at the school. I look forward to being a part of the building administrative team.”