Jen Derick, the principal of West Hartford’s Nordfedt Elementary School, has made the decision to return to teaching.

By Ronni Newton

Norfeldt Principal Jen Derick announced Wednesday that she will be stepping down from her role at the end of the school year, and plans to return to the classroom for the fall of 2026.

Derick has been principal at Norfeldt since 2014, and said she has been proud and honored to lead the school for more than 11 years. After 31 years in education, she said the decision to return to the classroom is bittersweet and one that did not come easily – but was prompted in part by a “life-changing moment,” the birth of her granddaughter, Skyler Rose, a year ago.

Jen Derick. West Hartford Public Schools website photo

“Supporting the social, emotional, and academic growth of your children has been the greatest privilege of my career,” Derick said in a letter to Norfeldt families on Wednesday afternoon. “Norfeldt is truly a special place. My deepest gratitude goes out to our extraordinary staff – teachers, paraprofessionals, teaching assistants, specialists, office staff, nurses, custodians, and all who support our school and inspire me each and every day. Their dedication, care, and commitment create the strong, nurturing community that defines Norfeldt. I am also continually impressed by our dedicated and supportive caregivers, whose partnership enriches our school and helps make each child’s experience so meaningful. Most importantly, I will be forever grateful for our amazing students, who bring joy, curiosity, and a sense of purpose to each day and are at the heart of all we do.”

Derick said that watching her granddaughter grow has led to her to reflect on her career, and how important it is to spend this time with family. “In 2004, when I left my first grade classroom at Bugbee school, I made a promise to myself that someday I would return to be able to build strong relationships with a group of students and fully immerse myself in the art and science of teaching. The time has come for me to fulfill that promise and return to where my love of education first began.”

West Hartford Superintendent of Schools Paul Vicinus expressed his gratitude to Derick for her “selfless service” leading Norfeldt and positively impacting thousands of students over the course of more than a decade.

“Jen has always been an impassioned leader who cares deeply about both the students she serves and the educators charged with preparing and inspiring our youth,” Vicinus said. “While serving as principal of Norfeldt, the school has been recognized as a School of Distinction three separate times demonstrating the impact of her leadership. As one of the senior principals in the district, Jen has gained the respect of her colleagues and the greater West Hartford community.”

Vicinus is also a grandparent, and said he is “both understanding and envious” of her decision to create greater space for her family. “While I will miss her contributions to the leadership team, I am glad to know she will continue to make an impact on our mission and the children we serve as a classroom teacher in the district,” he said.

Derick plans to remain with West Hartford Public Schools, but doesn’t yet know which elementary school she will be teaching at for the next academic year.

The search process for Norfeldt’s next principal will begin in the next few weeks, Vicinus said, and will involve staff as well as families/caregivers in choosing the school’s next leader.

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