Elizabeth Neale named 2002Thomas C. Passios Award Winner

National Distinguished Principal

Dr. Elizabeth Neale receives her award from
Massachusettes Commissioner of Education Dr. David Driscoll

Known as a “caring administrator, dedicated educator and compassionate leader”, Dr. Elizabeth Neale has lobbied tirelessly for the needs of the children and families of the Conte Community Elementary School in Pittsfield. Elizabeth considers the principalship to be the most satisfying experience of her professional life.

Elizabeth’s career began in a Latino community in New Britain, CT as a VISTA volunteer assigned to the Spanish Speaking Center. Working with disenfranchised middle school youth who were experiencing discrimination, it became evident to Elizabeth that this experience would thread a theme throughout her life. She went on to run educational programs for at-risk families and their children for a social service agency before deciding to enter a graduate program which opened the doors to a career in education.

For the past six years, Elizabeth has been principal of the Conte Community School – a large, urban, public school in an area which offers a great deal of cultural diversity while at the same time contends with violence, poverty and high at-risk situations for families. Her work at Conte has been focused on transforming a low performing school into a highly successful educational institution.

After several months of planning with parents and teachers, initiatives were identified for the Conte Community School that would set the course for the ensuing six years. In support of their goal to increase student achievement, the leadership team agreed to focus on increased parental involvement; the creation of a social curriculum for the school community; and the development of a science-based school theme that addresses literacy objectives and is integrated across the curricula. With the mission of the school created, efforts turned to working with local organizations as well as state, national and private funding sources to secure the fiscal support that was critical to achieve their goals.

The result is an impressive story of success. Under Dr. Neale’s leadership, the Conte Community Elementary School has become a Responsive Classroom School with all staff members trained in community building techniques. Morning meetings are conducted each day, academic choice is used as a teaching medium, and parental involvement is strong. Faculty and students have created an anti-bullying program that has resulted in a significant decrease in bullying concerns. Adventure-based counseling and crisis intervention are in place for those children who arrive at school with significant emotional issues.

With the support of a five-year grant from the Berkshire Environmental Fund, Dr. Neale has outfitted two state-of-the-art science labs at Conte. With help from Americorps Fellows and volunteers, nature trails have been created behind the school that course through a variety of habitats. Bridges and guideposts point the way to meandering paths throughout the area. Students have created a field and trail guide and host many visitors from other schools on this educational trail system.

With grant funds from the Housatonic River Restoration organization and the P G & E, faculty have participated in professional development activities focusing on environmental education. For three years, twelve teachers have traveled to the Teton Science School in Jackson Hole, Wyoming to learn “sense of place” education through the school’s Journeys Program. Conte is one of only five schools in the nation to work intensely with the Teton Science School in creating an environmental influence in their own curriculum.
A collaboration between Conte and the Housatonic River Restoration resulted in an educational conference for students in kindergarten through higher education from across Berkshire County. “Saving Our River, Having Our Say” was an opportunity for students, community leaders and environmental educators to come together to learn from each other. Each spring, Conte students are involved in a clean-up project along the banks of the river. After researching the river, students have named the small rivulets behind their school which make up the head waters of the Housatonic River. Conte has been awarded the Secretary’s Award for Environmental Excellence for five years. They have created a river protection curriculum that will extend to the middle and high schools next year.

Dr. Neale was named a Rainwater Principal in 1998, entitling the school to receive funding in support of their school improvement efforts. These funds have been used to provide professional development for teachers and to increase parental involvement in the school. The Conte Family Center is open full time, hosting a variety of workshops and events for families and parents. Through a bilingual grant, Dr. Neale was able to hire a bilingual liaison to work with Latino families. Everything sent home is translated to Spanish and the liaison makes home visits, provides transportation for parents to school events, helps with translations at parent conferences, and helps to bring an awareness of the Spanish culture to the students and families of the Conte Community Elementary School.

Throughout her career, Elizabeth has served in a variety of leadership positions. She is Chair of the Northeast Principals’ Leadership Network and sits on the Board of Governors at the Brown University Educational Alliance. She has been a delegate at both National Principals’ Summits in Washington, D.C. and has presented at the Northeast Regional Principals’ Summit and at the annual convention of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP).

Elizabeth lives in Hinsdale with her husband, Dennis and is the mother of two children, Caitlin and Susannah.

Past Passios Award Recipients