The Connecticut Association of Schools is pleased to announce that Diurca Lugo-Tomasella, principal of Roberto Clemente International Dual Language School (RCIDLS) in Waterbury, has been named the 2026 Elementary School Principal of the Year. Chosen through a highly competitive statewide nomination process, Tomasella was selected for her transformative leadership, instructional excellence, and deep commitment to student success.

“I am honored and grateful to the Connecticut Association of Schools for this distinction. This recognition reflects the collective dedication, passion, and commitment of the entire Roberto Clemente International Dual Language School community, as well as Waterbury Public School’s Central Office,” said Tomasella upon learning the news of her award. “This honor truly belongs to all of us. Together, we strive to inspire and empower students to become bilingual and biliterate in English and Spanish while attaining high levels of academic achievement through cultural and language immersion.”

Tomasella was born and raised in Waterbury and is a proud graduate of the Waterbury Public Schools. She was nominated for the award by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Darren Schwartz, who states, “Principal Tomasella leads with purpose, integrity, and a deep commitment to equity and excellence, creating a school community where students thrive academically while embracing their cultural and linguistic identities.”

As the founding principal of the district’s first dual language immersion school, Tomasella led the design and successful launch of a program grounded in bilingualism, biliteracy, and equity. Through thoughtful planning, intentional staffing, and sustained professional learning, she developed and scaled a dual language program that reflects both research-based practices and a deep belief in the assets of multilingual learners. Biliteracy coach Maria Cruz calls her “the epitome of visionary leadership and biliteracy in action,” reflecting Tomasella’s expertise and her ability to bring a bold vision to life.

Under Tomasella’s leadership, the school has achieved remarkable academic success, earning recognition as a 2025 School of Distinction, attaining the highest Accountability Index in the district, and maintaining one of the lowest chronic absenteeism rates. RCIDLS students continue to surpass district benchmarks on Smarter Balanced assessments in both ELA and mathematics. These results reflect her unwavering belief that “demographics do not define destiny” and her commitment to ensuring all students have access to rigorous, high quality instruction. As Deputy Superintendent Juan Mendoza notes, “Principal Tomasella’s success is rooted in an unwavering belief in student potential and a steadfast focus on rigorous, grade-level instruction in both English and Spanish.”

Equally impactful is Tomasella’s commitment to building a thriving school culture grounded in relationships, collaboration, and shared leadership. She has cultivated an environment where teachers are empowered to lead, families are engaged as authentic partners, and students are encouraged to develop voice, agency, and leadership skills. She has spearheaded initiatives like Clemente Connects and Family Roots Day, reflecting her core leadership belief that strong schools are built through strong relationships. Her work has led to a deeply connected community in which, as Cruz shares, “students feel seen and valued, parents feel heard and respected, and staff feel supported and inspired.”

In addition, Tomasella has demonstrated exceptional skill in developing leadership capacity within her staff and creating systems that sustain long-term success. By establishing strong organizational structures, fostering professional learning communities, and encouraging teachers to share their expertise at the district and national levels, she has built a culture of reflective practice and collective efficacy. Assistant Superintendent Anthony Brooks observes, “Rather than positioning herself as the sole instructional expert, Principal Tomasella builds systems and structures that empower teacher leaders and teams to collectively own student learning outcomes. This approach has resulted in a staff that is reflective, growth-oriented, and deeply committed to continuous improvement.”

Through her work, Tomasella has not only built a successful school but has also expanded educational opportunities and redefined what is possible for students in her community.