Krieger Elementary School has a new principal, Carolyn Fields, and a new assistant principal this year, Jessica Baruffo.
Both bring experience working in school districts with similar demographics to Poughkeepsie and are excited about the chance to help their new students.
Carolyn Fields
Fields has been a school administrator for nine years, working for eight years as a district level evaluator and principal for East Ramapo Central School District. Prior to that she spent seven years as a literacy coach, instructional coach and teacher in the New York City Department of Education.
“I would like students and parents to know that I am here to support you, advocate for you and help you become your personal best,” she said.
She applied to PCSD because of her experience working in districts like Poughkeepsie.
“I wanted to serve a community where my skill set would be beneficial. As soon as I interviewed with the district I felt an instant connection - almost like, ‘Yes, I belong here!’”
In her first year at Krieger, Fields plans to learn from and about others, build trusting relationships with staff, students and families and “support the Krieger community in achieving academic excellence. … “I also want to create an inclusive environment where everyone can learn and grow.”
After learning more about the school through the interview process, Fields shared, “I knew that there were great things happening there and I wanted to be a part of that.”
In her downtime, Fields enjoys spending time with her spouse and three children, friends and walking and exploring Dutchess County Rail Trails – she moved here in 2018 from Yonkers where she grew up.
Jessica Baruffo
Baruffo grew up in Dutchess County and is a Dover High School graduate. She actually started working as Krieger’s assistant principal in March 2023, coming here from the Mount Vernon City School District, where she worked since 2016.
“During the interview process (here), I saw great educators and a school community I’d love to work with and grow with professionally,” she said.
In addition to master’s degrees in childhood and childhood education and school building/district leadership, Baruffo has a BA in Spanish and said she is “conversationally bilingual.”
She taught pre-K for two years at a small daycare center while pursuing her master’s degree and then became a special education teacher in Mount Vernon before the opportunity here arose.
In her first year, Baruffo wants to strengthen relationships with families, communities and students; work with teachers to utilize research-based practices to increase student achievement and develop strong social-emotional development using the Second Step curriculum.
“I bring a positive and proactive attitude with a thirst for learning and growth,” she said.
When not working, Baruffo enjoys travel, hiking and exercise. She is also an animal lover and has two dogs, Tucker and Bruno; and a cat, Tyson.
