MIDDLETOWN, CT — Stacey McCann, the assistant superintendent of teaching and learning for Middletown Public Schools, tragically passed away Monday at her home in Windsor, Connecticut. She was found by authorities in the afternoon, according to a spokesperson for the Windsor Police Department. The police are currently working with the chief medical examiner’s office to determine the cause of her death, but foul play is not suspected.
In an emotional letter to the school community, Superintendent Alberto Vázquez Matos expressed profound grief over the loss, saying, “In times like these, words often fall short of capturing the depth of our collective grief.” He described Dr. McCann as an extraordinary educator whose passion for her work was inspiring and contagious. “She began each day with seemingly boundless energy and a conviction that all students can and will succeed,” he said. “You may recall her often saying, ‘We are in service of schools.’ This wasn’t just a phrase for Dr. McCann; it was a guiding principle that shaped her work.”
Superintendent Vázquez Matos assured the community that information about memorial services and opportunities to honor Dr. McCann’s legacy would be shared in the coming days. “For now, I ask that you keep her family in your thoughts and continue the important work she was so passionate about,” he added.
McCann began her tenure with Middletown Public Schools in 2022, where she held supervisory and leadership roles overseeing building principals, assistant principals, curriculum directors, and other staff across the district’s PreK-12 academic programs. Her responsibilities also included overseeing integrated after-school and summer programs. Prior to joining Middletown, McCann had a distinguished 25-year career in education, working as a teacher, literacy facilitator, turnaround specialist, assistant principal, principal, and executive principal. She also held roles as a director of literacy, director of school improvement, and assistant superintendent in other districts.
For a decade, McCann worked in Bloomfield, where she earned a reputation as a dedicated educator who took student achievement seriously. Donald Harris Jr., a retired teacher and former principal who served as chairman of the Bloomfield Board of Education during her tenure, remembered her as a hard worker who was deeply committed to improving educational outcomes. He also recalled her perseverance in earning her doctorate degree, which she completed last December.
Dr. McCann’s sudden death has left a deep void in the Middletown school community. She will be remembered for her dedication to students, her tireless work ethic, and her unwavering belief in the potential of every child.