By John Schwing

WESTPORT — An educator, with experience in both international and the Stamford school districts, has been named the new principal of Greens Farms Elementary School.

Brian Byrne, currently the elementary school principal at Seoul International School in Seoul, South Korea, was appointed by the Board of Education, which met in special session Wednesday morning.

Byrne will begin work July 1, succeeding Kevin Cazzetta, who had previously announced plans to retire. Cazzetta will be recognized for his Greens Farms tenure at the school board’s June 12 meeting.

Chosen for the post after what Supt. of Schools Thomas Scarice called a “thorough and competitive process,” Byrne was praised by the superintendent as an “an ideal fit” for Greens Farms School. 

Scarice said Byrne’s inter-personal skills are “exemplary,” adding that he will be a “child-centered” leader who is both “clearly approachable” and “warm.”

Before his post at the Seoul International School, Byrne was an elementary school assistant principal at both the International School of Beijing in Beijing, China, and the Shanghai Community International School in Shanghai, China, according to a statement from the school district.

Prior to his work overseas, Byrne held several positions in the Stamford public school district. He began as a fourth-grade teacher at Toquam Magnet School and later served as the districtwide curriculum associate for elementary mathematics.

In brief remarks to Wednesday’s Zoom meeting, Byrne thanked the school board and said that he looks forward to “working together to support all students reach their fullest potential academically, socially and emotionally.”

During the selection process, Byrne said he was “inspired by the positive aspects” about Greens Farms School, including its “family feeling, the level of dedication, the collaborative spirit and the sense of pride throughout the school.”

Both Byrne and school officials said they look forward to meeting each other in person, since the interviews and selection process were conducted via Zoom.

Byrne’s educational credentials include a Bachelor of Science degree in business marketing from Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind.; a Master of Science degree in elementary education from the University of Bridgeport, and studies in Sacred Heart University’s Leadership and Administration Program.

Byrne has presented at multiple conferences, including the East Asia Regional Council of Schools Leadership Conference in Bangkok, Thailand, according to Westport school officials. 

In addition, he won the Stamford public schools’ “Spotlight Award,” an honor presented by his teaching peers.

John Schwing, the Westport Journal consulting editor, has held senior editorial and writing posts at southwestern Connecticut media outlets for four decades. Learn more about us here.