Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones announced the appointment of Dr. Garfield Charles as interim program administrator for Greenwich High School’s Windrose program, effective immediately. Dr. Charles replaces Mrs. Diane Chiappetta Fox, who was recently named interim principal of Hamilton Avenue School.
Dr. Charles will serve as the chief administrator for Windrose, the specialized program enabling Greenwich students in grades 9-12 to reset their course toward graduation, prepare for college and career, and find purpose to learning. Windrose collaborates significantly with Greenwich High School as well as various community partners to facilitate individualized success for each student. Dr. Charles will report directly to Chief Officer of Special Education and Student Supports Dr. Stacey Heiligenthaler.
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Garfield Charles to the Windrose team,” Dr. Heiligenthaler said. “He has been an essential and invaluable resource to GHS students, staff, and community for many years, and we look forward to him leading the Windrose family.”
Dr. Charles has been with GPS since 2004, most recently as the assistant dean of GHS’ Bella House since 2017. As the assistant dean, he implemented Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), worked closely with the house administrator and dean of students, chaired the Pupil Placement Team (PPT) and Pupil Support Team (PST) meetings for house-based students, and provided quality control for IEPs. In addition, Dr. Charles acted as the diversity awareness advisor where he planned and developed a series of diversity-related events throughout the school year. He began his career as an educator with GPS in 2004 as an English teacher at GHS until 2017 as well as the assistant dean of Cantor House for two years. Dr. Charles was also an English teacher at Lexington (MA) High School from 2002 through 2004.
“I am thrilled to be named interim program administrator at Windrose,” Dr. Charles said. “I look forward to working with the dedicated staff who are committed to re-engaging our Windrose students in the art of learning and rekindling within them a renewed purpose for college and career pursuit.”
Dr. Charles holds a diploma in Teaching from Corinth Teachers College, a bachelor’s in English from the University of the West Indies, master’s degrees in English from the University of Massachusetts and School Building Leadership from Mercy College, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Manhattanville College. He holds an Intermediate Administration and Supervision Certification (092).
