East Hartford Public Schools is proud to announce the new principal of Robert J. O’Brien Elementary School, Diane Leja. She began her role on August 22, 2024.
Leja has more than 20 years of experience in elementary education as an administrator, instructional coach and teacher. She joins East Hartford Public Schools from the Consolidated School District of New Britain where she served as an Assistant Principal since 2021. She spent 13 years as a literacy instructional coach in New Britain and with Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) schools. Her career as a classroom teacher includes teaching every grade from K-6 except for 2nd grade. She began her professional life as a sports journalist then says she found her “true calling” in education.
Leja holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Connecticut, a Master of Science in Elementary Education from the University of New Haven and a Master of Arts in Education: Language Art and Reading from the University of Saint Joseph. She earned her sixth-year school administration and supervision certification, as well as reading specialist and reading consultant certifications from Southern Connecticut State University. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Social-Emotional Academic Learning from Sacred Heart University.
East Hartford Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Anderson said, “Diane Leja is an accomplished leader with an expertise in elementary education and literacy. She understands how to connect with families to educate the whole child and she will work to support students’ growth socially, emotionally and academically. We look forward to all that she will bring to the O’Brien Elementary School community.”