Dr. Tracy Youngberg, Superintendent of Windham Public Schools, is a dedicated and results-oriented educational leader who has a proven track record of improving systems in support of student achievement, adult learning, and organizational efficiency. She is currently in her 33rd year in public education and her eighth in Windham.
She arrived in Windham in July of 2016, as the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching, Learning, and Leadership. In this role, she was responsible for all facets of curriculum, instruction, assessment and professional learning. Dr. Youngberg moved into the Acting Superintendent’s role unexpectedly in November, 2019, and was appointed Superintendent effective July 1, 2020. She has led the district through the COVID pandemic with a thoughtful, straightforward approach to students, staff, and the community at large. She has implemented significant changes to increase transparency, collaboration and accountability across the district, most notably in the district's budgeting process and improved collaboration between the Town and Windham Public Schools. She works with the Board of Education to improve communication, respond to their feedback and ensure the effectiveness of their committees. She has implemented a series of staff-run committees (District Survey, District Safety, District Professional Development) designed to empower employees and ensure they are heard.
She is passionate about improving instruction and has initiated a focus on Project Based Learning (PBL) experiences for all students K-12. She understands that in order for quality instruction to be provided in all classrooms, Windham educators need to receive actionable feedback. The implementation of the Mini Observation Protocol was designed to increase instructional feedback and set the stage for collegial conversations about instructional practice. Some of the many district accomplishments that have occurred since she took over as Superintendent are as follows:
March, 2024: Natchaug Elementary School was named Connecticut Association of Schools Elementary School of the Year.
January, 2024: Graduated our first student from Windham’s Phoenix Academy, our alternative high school
Increased the total number of educators of color from 17.1% in 2019-2020 to 23.6% in 2023-2024, an increase of 6.5%
Increased student participation in our Dual Language programs from 577 in 2019-2020 to 815 in 2023-2024, an increase of 41%
2022-2023: Windham Public Schools had 58.6% of their 4th, 6th, 8th and 10th grade students Reaching Fitness Zone Standard on the Physical Fitness Assessments, exceeding the state average of 45%.
2023: Charles H. Barrows STEM Academy was recognized as a STEM School of Excellence from the Technology and Engineering Educators Association.
March, 2023: Windham High School earned full accreditation through New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
Spring, 2024: 2nd Annual District Wide Arts Expo that showcases our students’ art and music talents, PreK-12
Prior to arriving in Windham, Dr. Youngberg taught 5th and 6th grades for twelve years and held the roles of Principal and Assistant Principal. She was named Connecticut Association of Schools 2013 National Distinguished Principal and visited Washington D.C. as our state’s elementary representative. Her leadership at Carmen Arace Intermediate School (CAIS) in Bloomfield, Connecticut, was instrumental in it being named a School Success Story in 2014 by the non-profit advocacy organization ConnCAN. Her team’s efforts also earned the school top ConnCAN rankings in the categories of Performance Gains and African American Student Achievement in 2010 & 2011. CAIS was also one of only 34 schools statewide to be removed from the 2011 No Child Left Behind - Needs Improvement List. As a teacher, she was named 2004 Carmen Arace Middle School Teacher of the Year and 2004 Bloomfield District Teacher of the Year.
Dr. Youngberg earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership & Supervision from American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts, where she also earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. She received her Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in School Leadership (School Principal Program) and her Master of Education in Special Education from Westfield State College in Westfield, Massachusetts. She has been a member of the Connecticut Association of Schools National Distinguished Principal Selection Committee and served as a Visiting Member of the New England Associations of Schools (NEASC) Elementary Accreditation Team. She has also served as a Mentor/Cooperating Administrator for 092 candidates from several universities and an 093 candidate from Sacred Heart University.