Two educational leaders started work at their new Westbrook Public School jobs on July 1: Tara Winch, the new principal of Westbrook High School (WHS), and Ruth Rose, the new principal of Daisy Ingraham Elementary School.

Winch replaces former principal Bob Hale, who retired, and Rose, former principal Kit Bishop, who also retired.

Hale posted a special welcome message for Winch on the WHS sign: "Under new management. Welcome Tara Winch."

Winch was the associate principal at Old Saybrook High School (OSHS) from 2004 until the end of June. She started her career as a high school English teacher and drama director and during her years at OSHS as teacher and, later, school administrator, also personally choreographed at least 21 high school productions.

Winch earned her sixth-year administrative leadership credential, known as an 092, in 2000 from Sacred Heart University. She was awarded a bachelor's degree in English with a concentration in both drama and French by the University of Connecticut at Storrs. This was followed by a master's degree in liberal arts with a concentration in humanities from Wesleyan University.

During the last school year, Rose was the associate principal at two kindergarten-through-4th-grade schools-West Vine Street and West Broad Street schools-in Stonington Public Schools.

Her educational training includes earning a B.A. and a B.S. in elementary education from Southern Connecticut State University, a master's degree in educational technology from Eastern Connecticut State University, and a sixth-year educational leadership credential. Currently she is a doctoral candidate in educational leadership at Southern Connecticut State University, with an expected completion date of December 2015.