O’Connell Takes Office as Pupil Personnel Service Director

Jennifer O’Connell has begun her duties as the new director of pupil personnel services for the Winthrop school system.

O’Connell was the assistant principal of the Cummings Elementary School for the past two years. Superintendent of John Macero appointed O’Connell to the position of director of pupil personnel services following the resignation of Lisa Howard.

“I’m very excited to be in this new position,” said O’Connell, who is beginning her eleventh year in the school system. “It’s going to be a lot of hard work, but I’m excited for the task. I’m looking forward to continuing my work with Mr. Macero. I’m very fortunate that we have a very strong special education staff and that I have them working alongside me.”

In her position O’Connell is in charge of special education programs, nursing, guidance, transportation, 504 Plans (accommodations for students with disabilities), and out-of-district placements.

O’Connell is a graduate of Lynn Classical High School, Class of 1997, and holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire in Communication Sciences and Disorders, with a Minor in Spanish. She received a Master’s degree in Speech Pathology and Reading from the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions. She also earned a Certificate of Advance Graduate Study in School Administration from Salem State University.

O’Connell and her husband, Michael, a Lynn Police officer, have a two-year-old son, John. The couple is expecting a second child in February.