Following a formal search process, Anthony Dávila has been chosen as the new principal of West Hartford’s Webster Hill Elementary School.

Webster Hill sign. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

By Ronni Newton

The search process for a principal for Webster Hill Elementary School has concluded, and Superintendent of Schools Paul Vicinus announced on Friday that Anthony Dávila has been named to the role.

Dávila comes to West Hartford Public Schools from Hartford, where he founded and led a thriving dual language program at the Dwight Bellizzi Dual Language Academy and most recently served as the school’s principal. “Under his leadership, the school community flourished through a culture of collaboration, high expectations, and shared purpose.”

Vicinus said Dávila has “27 years of educational experience rooted in community-building, instructional leadership, and a passion for student growth.”

For the past 10 months, Webster Hill has been led by Maureen Lantner, a veteran educator and administrator in the district who came out of retirement to serve in an interim role after former Webster Hill Principal Melissa Behrens was appointed director of Elementary Education at the district level.

“While that move was bittersweet for Webster Hill, Melissa has been an outstanding addition to our district leadership team, making an immediate and meaningful impact,” Vicinus said in Friday’s email to the Webster Hill community. He praised Lantner for her extraordinary work, and the “steadfast leadership, deep compassion for our students, and heartfelt commitment to the Webster Hill community” that she has demonstrated over the past academic year. “The relationships, trust, and sense of belonging she has fostered this year are a testament to her remarkable career in West Hartford. I am deeply grateful for her willingness to step out of retirement to support our school so selflessly.”

Dávila has a bachelor’s degree in psychology as well as a Master of Education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. “His early experience as a bilingual middle school social studies teacher has grounded his leadership in empathy, cultural responsiveness, and a commitment to student voice. He believes deeply in creating school environments that feel like family; places where everyone is inspired to grow, connect, and succeed,” Vicinus said, adding that he is thrilled to have Dávila join West Hartford Public Schools and lead Webster Hill in its next chapter.

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