Carmen Rodriguez. Contributed photo.
First Selectman James Zeoli in January appointed Carmen Ana Rodriguez to serve on the Orange Board of Education, the first Latina and minority to serve on that body.
Rodriguez was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Mary Welander after Welander won a seat to the state House of Representatives.
Rodriguez has been an Orange resident for 29 years. She is veteran educator in the New Haven Public School veteran educator, having served served that city for 43 years. She has worked as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and a supervisor for English Learners. She graduated from American International College with a bachelor’s degree in teaching, and her graduate work was completed at Fairfield University and Teachers College at Columbia University.
Zeoli’s office said it interviewed several candidates prior to making his final selection. Rodriguez will serve in the position until general elections are held in November.