Kotecki named principal at West Side Middle School
Groton — A selection committee this week named Jeff Kotecki, who served for 10 years as assistant principal at West Side Middle School and was named interim principal in July, as the school's permanent principal.
He is taking the position previously held by John Jones, who retired at the end of the 2016-17 school year.
"As the principal, my goal is really to be an instructional leader," Kotecki said, "and really we have a lot of new initiatives in Groton — in l.a. (language arts), math and science, and my goal is really to be in the classrooms every day supporting teachers."
The selection committee had representation from administration and the Groton Board of Education, and it included teachers from both West Side and Cutler middle schools.
Superintendent Michael Graner said in an email to staff that the committee thought Kotecki "was the best administrator to lead the school as we approach the Groton 2020 consolidation and the implementation of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program."
Graner said the committee met with him on Tuesday and unanimously recommended Kotecki, a New London native who now lives in Mystic.
New initiatives affecting West Side include the piloting of the Next Generation Science Standards in April, the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project that began last year, and revamped algebra curriculum.
Kotecki's prior work as assistant principal included expanding PBIS (positive behavior intervention and supports), instituting restorative justice, and implementing Review360, a discipline data collections program.
Before coming to West Side, Kotecki spent nearly 20 years at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School in New London, as a science teacher, physical education and health teacher, athletic director, health and physical education department head, and mostly recently, dean of students.
Kotecki holds a bachelor's degree in physical education, a master's degree in science education and a sixth-year professional diploma in educational leadership.
"I'm looking forward to moving West Side forward," he said, "and the term that we use is 'making West Side the best side.'"
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