After half a year as interim principal of Royle School, Garan Mullin has been appointed principal by the Darien Board of Education.
The previous principal, Dean Ketchum, resigned about two weeks before the start of the school year, on Aug. 16, 2019. At the time, schools Superintendent Alan Addley gave no reason for Ketchum’s resignation.
The school district sent out this announcement on Friday:
At Wednesday’s meeting, the Darien Board of Education unanimously appointed Garan Mullin as principal of Royle Elementary School. Dr. Mullin has served as Royle’s interim principal this year.
Photo from Darien Public Schools
Dr. Garan Mullin, the new principal of Royle School.
Dr. Mullin is a successful and highly respected Darien administrator, serving as the assistant principal of Middlesex Middle School from 2017 until her appointment as interim principal of Royle this fall. Dr. Mullin began her career as a school counselor at Coleytown Middle School in Westport, serving in that position for six years
From her position in Westport, Dr. Mullin became the coordinator of middle school special education for the Fairfield Public Schools, a central office position that she held for two years before coming to Darien. Dr. Mullin also serves as an adjunct professor in the Department of Counseling and School Psychology at Southern Connecticut State University.
Dr. Mullin received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts and her master’s degree in school counseling from Southern Connecticut State University. She received her doctorate in educational leadership from Southern Connecticut as well. Dr. Mullin has been described as someone who has the “ability to assess needs, identify solutions, implement the solutions and realize her goals. She works collaboratively with students, parents, families, staff and administratio … to improve educational, social and functional outcomes for students.”
Dr. Mullin says that she is “honored to be appointed principal of Royle.” She went on to say “from the moment I stepped into this position, I was welcomed with open arms and feel privileged to be able to continue to serve this incredible community. Thank you to Dr. Addley and the Board of Education for believing in me. I am excited to continue the excellent work we have started this year and look forward to leading the Royle family for years to come.”
Dr. Addley offered his congratulations commenting, “Dr. Mullin has proven herself as a talented and passionate school leader this year and I am delighted with her appointment as the permanent principal of Royle Elementary School.”