Christine Mori officially became principal of West Hartford’s Aiken Elementary School on July 1, 2025.

By Ronni Newton

The newly-appointed principal of West Hartford’s Aiken Elementary School was chosen after a formal search process, and Christine Mori brings to the role previous experience as an elementary school teacher and curriculum specialist in the district – where she is returning after serving as principal of Highcrest Elementary School in Wethersfield for the past four years.

In her first year at Highcrest, Mori was recognized with the Connecticut Association of Schools’ “William Cleslukowski Award for Outstanding First-Year Elementary Principal,” West Hartford Superintendent Paul Vicinus shared in a letter to the Aiken community announcing the appointment.

“I’m excited to be back in West Hartford,” Mori told We-Ha.com.

Mori officially began her new role at Aiken on July 1, but prior to that had the opportunity to meet with staff as well as Shannon Mlodzinski, the former principal for the past nine years who assumed the role of West Hartford Public Schools’ executive director of Human Resources as of July 1 amid other top leadership promotions in the district. Mori has also had the opportunity to meet with students and families.

“I want the community to know that I felt an immediate sense of excitement when I learned about this opportunity,” Mori said in a letter to Aiken families. “From my own experience, I know that West Hartford Public Schools are deeply committed to inspiring students to develop a genuine love of learning. Throughout the interview process, it became clear that the Aiken community shares this commitment, with a strong emphasis on positive school culture, high academic standards, and meaningful communication. It’s also evident that the Aiken staff are an exceptional group of educators who are dedicated to nurturing the whole child.”

Prior to serving as principal at Highcrest Elementary School, Mori, who lives in Wethersfield with her husband and has four teenaged daughters (ages 14 through 19), was a fourth-grade teacher at Wolcott Elementary School in West Hartford from 2012-2017 before becoming the curriculum specialist at Duffy Elementary School from 2017-2021.

She earned a dual bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education from Penn State University where she also played basketball, has an MA in teaching and learning with a concentration in reading from Nova Southeastern University, and a sixth-year certificate in educational leadership from Central Connecticut State University.

“Since beginning my teaching career in 2000, I’ve had the unique opportunity to work in six different states and nine elementary schools, teaching first, third, fourth, and fifth grades, as well as serving as a special education resource teacher. These diverse experiences have equipped me well for the important responsibility of leading Aiken School, and I’m excited to hit the ground running,” Mori told Aiken families in her introductory letter.

“Ms. Mori rose to the top of a highly competitive field of candidates, distinguished by her passion for elementary education, her proven instructional leadership, and her unwavering commitment to supporting each and every child,” Vicinus said in his announcement of her appointment. He also noted that she is a nationally-certified Kagan Cooperative Learning trainer, “with deep expertise in active student engagement strategies.”

Mori said it would be an understatement to say that she is “thrilled” to take on the role as Aiken’s principal. “I’m genuinely excited to collaborate and build a strong, lasting partnership that ensures every student who walks through the doors of Aiken School receives a high-quality education and a joy-filled experience,” she said.

Vicinus is also excited for her leadership at Aiken. “At her core, Christine is a leader, a learner, and an educator. She is deeply committed to inclusive practices and fostering a warm, welcoming school environment. I have every confidence that Ms. Mori will guide Aiken into its next chapter with care, purpose, and vision,” he said.

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