Jennifer Leach named assistant principal at H.O. Brittingham Elementary

Longtime Shields/Lewes Elementary educator Jennifer Leach has been named assistant principal at H.O. Brittingham Elementary in Milton.

Leach replaces Equetta Jones, who recently took over as principal at Love Creek Elementary. New administrator Alfredo Rodriguez has taken Leach’s former position at Lewes Elementary.

After 12 years at Shields and then the new Lewes Elementary, Leach said she is sad to leave her building but is excited for a new opportunity to grow in her profession.

“I’m excited to collaborate with [Principal Kyle Bentley] on our vision moving forward together,” she said.

Leach joined Shields 12 years ago and taught kindergarten and second grade before moving into her administrative role four years ago. 

She attributes her former administrators with recommending she attend the Lead for Delaware program, a two-year alternative-route school leader development and certification program.

“I knew I had more to give to the school,” she said. “I loved the kids and wanted to serve more students. I saw that you can touch so many more people, but I never lose sight of the fact that I’m a teacher.”

Academic and mental health are of paramount importance for students, Leach said, and she is excited to join a Leader in Me Lighthouse School. H.O.B. received the national certification in May.

Before joining the Cape district, Leach was a paraprofessional in the Milford School District for two years and previously was a children’s counselor at a school in Colorado. 

Leach received her bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of South Carolina, a master’s degree in dance movement therapy from Antioch University, and a second master’s degree in elementary education from Wilmington University.

Originally from Milford, she now lives in Rehoboth with her husband, who owns local company Beach Concepts. Their older daughter is a rising sophomore at University of South Carolina, while their younger daughter will enter seventh grade in the fall. The family enjoys driving on the beach and spending time together.