Antoinette Fornshell, former literacy curriculum coordinator for the Darien Schools, has left her position for a job with Greenwich Public Schools. Fornshell is now the humanities program coordinator in Greenwich. Her former Darien position has been filled by Cory Gillette, who began her career as an elementary teacher and formerly worked as a private literacy consultant.

As curriculum coordinator in Darien, Fornshell worked closely with the special education department and was knowledgeable of the scientific research-based intervention program implemented by the district. The program, called SRBI, is the topic of an investigation by attorney Sue Gamm, who was hired to look into all aspects of Darien’s special education service delivery.

SRBI is offered to children who start to fall behind in class, and has three tiers with increasing levels of intervention. However, critics have said the SRBI program can be used to delay needed special education services to some children. Gamm created a survey that asked parents about their children’s experience with SRBI and if they thought it was used to delay special ed services.

Greenwich Superintendent William McKersie said he was “pleased to welcome” Fornshell to Greenwich.

“She brings a proven expertise in the humanities, the workshop model, and in helping principals and teachers to perform at the highest level possible,” McKersie stated in a press release.

Fornshell will be responsible for the English/language arts and social studies program areas from preschool through grade 12. She will oversee the core curriculum, common assessments, universal instructional practices and professional development for these humanities areas.

Since 2006, Fornshell worked for Darien Schools, initially as the K-5 language arts and social studies specialist. Then in 2010, she became the K-12 literacy curriculum coordinator. She has had a 23-year affiliation with Teachers College as a staff developer, doctoral student and participant in the Reading and Writing Project, with an extensive background in reading and writing, learner-centered instruction and staff development, Greenwich said.

Darien’s new literacy coordinator, Cory Gillette, moved from Brooklyn with her family to live and work in Darien where her goal is “to grow roots and become a part of a motivated, child-centered professional learning community,” according to the Darien parent newsletter.

“She will be spending a lot of her time in the elementary schools supporting teachers at the ground level,” the district continued. “She is passionate about literacy and learning and is always open and available to talk about our work in Darien.”

Originally published in The Darien Times.