[naviga:img class="img-responsive" alt="Ryan Chaney" src="/Assets/news2019/0730 DAY chaney.jpg"/]

Ryan Chaney

Groton — The school district has announced that Ryan Chaney, a school administrator in North Stonington, was hired Monday as the new principal of Northeast Academy Arts Magnet Elementary School.

Chaney has been the associate principal at Wheeler High School/Middle School in North Stonington for the past five years and taught for seven years in the Lyme-Old Lyme school district, including six years as an elementary school teacher.

"I’ve had a very strong desire the past few years to get back to the elementary school environment," Chaney said in a phone interview. "Northeast Academy is a fine school with a great reputation."

He said the school's arts magnet theme has done wonders for kids, and getting himself into that environment and helping the school continue to flourish really appealed to him.

"What enticed me about this school was not only its record of academic excellence, but I'm really intrigued by the arts magnet theme, having observed and witnessed the doors it opens for kids at my time at Wheeler," he added.

Chaney, 35, a graduate of Montville High School, received his bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut, his master's degree in teaching and sixth-year degree in educational leadership at the Griswold campus of Sacred Heart University. He lives in Oakdale with his wife, Emily, a teacher in New London, and sons, Landon and Lucas.

Groton Superintendent Michael Graner said there was a strong pool of candidates, and a selection committee from Northeast Academy, comprising staff, parents and a board member, conducted two rounds of interviews and recommended two finalists, including Chaney. Graner and Assistant Superintendent Susan Austin interviewed Chaney on Monday and were very impressed.

Graner said Chaney not only brings administrative experience but also elementary teaching experience. He demonstrated a real passion for elementary education, and the committee was impressed by his energy and leadership ability.

Chaney is taking the helm at a time when Northeast Academy is in its third year as an arts magnet school, and the district wants to continue to enhance and grow the arts magnet program, Graner said. Chaney is also very interested in continuing and finding ways to strengthen Journey to Success, a character development program at the school.

"We looked at everything and thought this was the best match for Northeast Academy," Graner said.

Graner also noted that Chaney is from southeastern Connecticut and knows Groton quite well.

"We just thought he really brought a lot to enhance our school community," Graner added.

k.drelich@theday.com