Mrs. Fox Santora has been proudly serving as principal of Samuel Staples Elementary School since 2004. Prior to this position, she was an assistant principal at Hurlbutt Elementary School in Weston, and before this, she was an elementary school teacher at Long Lots Elementary School in Westport. Mrs. Fox Santora earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Lesley College, a Master of Education in Reading from Boston University, and a Sixth Year Diploma in Education Leadership from Southern Connecticut State University.

Throughout her 30 plus year career in education, Mrs. Fox Santora continues to believe that the business of education is first and foremost a relationship business. The connection between the student and their teacher always matters as does the home-school partnership. Mrs. Fox Santora believes the best results for students happen when staff and families work together, developing happy, imaginative, and caring individuals. When students feel connected and recognized, learning is most likely to flourish.

This is Mr. Brownstein’s 32nd year working as an educator, including 12 years happily serving as the Assistant Principal at Samuel Staples Elementary School.  Before coming to SSES, Mr. Brownstein was a 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classroom teacher and a technology teacher, working at schools in New Haven, Woodbridge, and Westport.  Mr. Brownstein earned a Bachelor of Music from the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford, teaching certification in Elementary Education from the Connecticut Alternate Route to Certification, and a Masters in Education and certification in Educational Leadership from Southern Connecticut State University.  Mr. Brownstein derives great satisfaction from partnering with SSES teachers and families to help all of our students learn and grow.