Congratulations to Joseph Norcross, principal of Wolcott’s Frisbie Elementary School, who was named Connecticut’s 2016 Elementary School Principal of the Year by the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS). Nominated for the award by kindergarten teacher Krystyn Eggleton, Norcross was selected for his principled and transformative leadership and his unerring focus on what is best for children.

Upon learning of his award, Norcross stated, “I am extremely honored to be recognized with this distinction by the Connecticut Association of Schools. The stakeholders of the Frisbie School community share great pride in providing our students with an outstanding elementary educational experience. I am proud to be a part of a talented team of dedicated educators who are committed to providing our students with the foundational skills essential for college and career success. It will be a privilege to represent the commitment that Frisbie School’s faculty and staff display to our students on a daily basis.”

Principal of Frisbie since 2010, Norcross has worked with passion and purpose to build a vibrant, nurturing, child-oriented community where student achievement is abounding; teachers are challenged and supported; and parents are fully engaged in the life of the school. He has been the driving force behind a number of new programs that have helped to dramatically expand student and staff learning and improve the school culture at Frisbie. Among his most successful initiatives is the PBIS Respect Program, an innovative, structured incentive program that promotes respectful behavior among students. The program, now in its sixth year, has been enthusiastically embraced by the students and staff and has contributed to a significant decrease in student suspensions and behavioral infractions.

Norcross is viewed by staff and colleagues as a diplomatic and driven administrator who is able to balance a strong professional focus with a warm personality. Says parent Shannon Ziomek, “Mr. Norcross is level-headed, honest, and has a heart bigger than his chest can hold.” His impeccable character and integrity engender the kind of trust and loyalty that make everyone want to follow his lead. “Because honesty and transparency are two staples of his leadership philosophy, it is readily apparent that his staff have tremendous respect and admiration for him as a building leader,” says Frank Purcaro, Director of Teaching and Learning. Notes third grade teacher Tara Taylor, “From his first year as principal, Mr. Norcross has prided himself on being transparent with no hidden agendas. His open-door policy inspires a climate of professional trust and collaboration which leads us to turn to him frequently and without reservation.”

The hallmark of Norcross’s leadership is his ability to make personal connections with his students. Rarely to be found in his office, he takes advantage of every opportunity to build relationships with students and learn about their interests and experiences. Says Eggleton, “One of my favorite things about Mr. Norcross is how well he relates to the students and the genuine interest he takes in them. Not only does he know each child and parent’s name, he also knows little pieces of information about each – sports interests, extra-curricular activities, names of siblings, etc. This information allows Mr. Norcross to have meaningful conversations with the students each day.” Adds Taylor, “I have worked for many administrators in my 26 year career and none has had the level of visibility that Joe has. He is in the hallways, in front of school each morning greeting students, and in the lunch room daily. I’m amazed by the fact that he knows each and every child by name and will speak to them about their interests and family on a regular basis.”

Concerned as much with producing well-rounded, responsible and caring citizens as with maximizing his students’ academic learning, Norcross has successfully incorporated service learning and citizenship as required components of the Frisbie student experience. Each year, every grade level selects and engages in a community service project which aligns with the board of education’s goal on citizenship and community building. These projects ensure that each student leaves Frisbie not just with the academic skills necessary for a productive life but also with the qualities and attributes that lead them to be kind and caring members of society. Says Taylor, “Walk into Frisbie School anytime and you will spot some type of outreach program underway. It might be a hat and mitten drive for a local shelter or a “Lights of Love” campaign for the Ronald Mc Donald House. Perhaps it is care packages for local veterans or planting flowers at a local elderly housing complex. Whatever the project might be, Joe is 100% there to pitch in wherever and whenever needed.”

Norcross earned his bachelor’s degree and sixth-year certificate from Southern CT State University and received his master’s degree from the University of New Haven. An educator for the past seventeen years, he began his career in 1999 as a teacher at Wolcott’s Tyrrell Middle School. In 2006, he was appointed assistant principal at Tyrrell and, after four successful years in that role, was promoted to principal of Frisbie, the position he now holds.

Norcross will be honored locally by CAS at the “Celebration of Distinguished Administrators” to be held in the fall. In October, he will travel to Washington, D.C. to participate in a two-day national recognition event along with top principals from each of the other forty-nine states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands.