By Scott Manchuso
Paul Zinni may have just started his role as the new Superintendent of Schools for the King Philip Regional School District, but he brings a valuable perspective from years of broad experience as an educator. He also brings an optimistic and enthusiastic attitude that is sure to help set a positive tone for the year ahead.
Zinni officially started in his new role July 1, 2018, but he’s been working to attend numerous district functions and town committee meetings while he continued to serve as Superintendent of Schools in Avon. “I’ve already attended various budget and town meetings before my official start date so that I could learn as much as I could through this budget season,” said Zinni in a recent conversation.
He continued, “In talking with members of the school community, particularly at the teacher appreciation days, what is obvious to me is that there are a huge number of achievements to be proud of at King Philip. I am really looking forward to working with the communities, the teachers, the administration, and of course the students to help deliver a great educational program.”
Having already met with the superintendents and special education directors of the elementary schools in Norfolk, Plainville and Wrentham, it’s clear that he intends on taking a strategic view of the educational system in order to be successful at the higher grades. “We need to make sure that we are working together in our communities to deliver a seamless education process to these students as they continue on their educational journey from kindergarten through twelfth grade,” said Zinni.
His first hand experiences in various positions prepared him well for the role of superintendent. Zinni started his full time education career as a special education teacher at the elementary and middle school levels. His career path eventually led to teaching at all levels from preschool through high school, before moving on to help establish new early education capabilities and run an early education program for the town of Taunton. He later moved to Avon Public Schools where he was the Director of Pupil Services for over a decade. “My efforts there were to maximize the learning capabilities of all students by helping to design the programs and services that layered on top of the curriculum.”
Promoted to Avon Superintendent of Schools in 2013, Zinni not only focused on the school curriculum, but also on how the schools interacted with the community. He cultured the school’s relationship with older residents in town to develop volunteer programs so that students could work with the seniors via special outreach programs. “We had the senior center close to school, so it was a natural fit to facilitate one-on-one mentoring programs where students helped seniors with technology challenges,” explained Zinni. “We also invited the seniors to daytime showings of the school theatrical productions, and we did outreach to seniors unable to leave their homes. (I am not fond of this word – could we do “seniors who were unable to leave their homes). The programs were well received and rewarding for those involved on both sides of the equation. I understand there is a solid history of volunteerism here at King Philip, and I am looking forward to participating and learning more.”
His dedication to education doesn’t end when heads home at the end of the day. Zinni is a respected educator and as a result was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for the Council of Exceptional Children, a national organization of educators, based in Arlington, VA, who are focused on “Advancing the success of children with exceptionalities. We accomplish our mission through advocacy, standards, and professional development,’ according to the organization’s website.
“I live for education and it’s part of our regular dinnertime conversation,” explained Mr Zinni, with sincere enthusiasm, “See my wife, Catherine, is also in education and together we have over 60 years of experience. It’s just who we are and we love it.” Mrs. Zinni works in Abington, where she is the Principal of the Beaver Brook Elementary School.
Zinni encourages community members to reach out this summer and make plans to stop by his office if they are interested. He also noted that as the school year gets closer, he plans on a program to meet more members of the community.