Makayla Rodriguez
Ms. Nizzardo joins THS from Waterbury schools, replacing Mr. Pierresaint as an assistant principal.
This school year has brought some new faces to Torrington High School. With Ms. Torres serving as interim principal at the FAST Academy, THS needed another leader to step in and help guide the way. Enter Ms. Nizzardo, our new assistant principal for the 2025–2026 school year.
Mr. Scott put it simply: “We’ve been stretched thin, so we’re grateful to have Ms. Nizzardo here to share the load.”
For Ms. Nizzardo, working in schools has always been more than a job. Growing up in Westfield, Massachusetts, she recalls playing school with her younger brother and tutoring him for fun. “I always wanted to be a teacher,” she explained, describing how those childhood experiences sparked her passion for education.
Her path led her to serve five years as a K–12 supervisor in the Waterbury school system’s central office. While the work was valuable, she admitted something was missing: the daily energy of students. That longing is what ultimately brought her back to a school building. “I missed being with kids,” she said.
Since arriving at THS, she’s been struck by the warmth of the community and inspired by its diversity. “Everyone has been so welcoming,” she shared, adding that she feels joy in the variety of voices and perspectives she encounters each day.
Even when the conversation turned to policies, Ms. Nizzardo answered with a mix of honesty and optimism. When asked about the dress code, she reminded students that things could be stricter: “My old students could only wear khaki or black pants—and absolutely no hoodies,” she laughed. “You’re lucky here.”
With Ms. Torres leading FAST Academy and Mr. Scott continuing his work as principal, THS now has another caring leader ready to support students and staff. From her first days on campus, Ms. Nizzardo has shown that she brings not just experience, but also heart.