Jan Romo Early Education Scholarship Fund

Jan Romo's educational career spanned well over 40 years before her death in 2021. Her training took place at both Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) in New Haven and Bank Street College of Education in New York City. She received her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Early Childhood Education and later her 6th Year Certification in School Administration and Supervision. She was mentored and inspired by some of the top educational leaders in the field.

Jan began her teaching career in 1970 as a first grade teacher. For nine years she enjoyed teaching both first grade and kindergarten at the West Hills Magnet School, New Haven's first experimental program bringing Hamden and New Haven children together for instruction.

With its gradual expansion to a K-8 program, Jan's role shifted to Staff Developer where she became a 'teacher of teachers'. She was responsible for the development and assessment of the school's core curriculum. Her active involvement with this "community of learners" brought yet another shift. She became the West Hills K-8 principal and was honored to work even more closely with all the components that affected its 700 children.

After 29 years at West Hills, Jan was appointed Supervisor of Early Childhood Education, overseeing more than 4,000 New Haven pre-k and kindergarten students. Involved with writing curriculum standards and a wide variety of School Readiness & Head Start initiatives, Jan led the city in truly appreciating how important developmentally-appropriate early learning is, starting with its very youngest students--infants & toddlers.

After "retiring", Jan moved on to an adjunct professorship at SCSU, teaching "Integrated Curriculum for Pre-K & Kindergarten" and working as an educational consultant in select area preschool programs. She served a two-year term as co-president of NHAEYC (the New Haven Chapter of the Association for the Education of Young Children), having formerly served two years as co-chair of the program committee.

Jan was the Carrot Patch Early Education Learning Center's Education Consultant, Mentor, and Guiding Light from the inception of its program. When the Cheshire Nursery School opened in the fall of 2006 she served as its Director until she retired (again!) in 2016.

She was a respected colleague in her field who worked closely with teachers, staff, administrators and parents - always willing to share her expertise. She taught Spanish, sang songs, read books, and engaged in special science projects in her classrooms.

To make a gift commemorating Jan's life, please use the online credit card donation button below. To mail a donation by check, make check payable to The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and write Jan Romo Early Education Scholarship Fund in the memo line; mail to The Community Foundation c/o the Jan Romo Fund at 70 Audubon Street, New Haven CT 06510.

Donations to the Fund will be used to support students pursuing a degree in early childhood education.