Cambridge College Lawrence

The new assistant superintendent of elementary schools in East Hartford is Cambridge College Alumnus Elsie Torres, a teacher and administrator from Meriden, school officials announced Thursday. Torres, who started her new job on Aug. 15, most recently worked as supervisor of bilingual education and English-as-a-second-language programs for Meriden public schools. She was the unanimous choice of the East Hartford school board when it met recently. “Throughout the interview process, Elsie impressed us with her obvious qualifications for the job and her deep elementary experience,” Superintendent Nathan Quesnel said. “At every turn in her career she was recognized as a rising star, but most well known for her deep priority of ‘children first.’” Torres attended Meriden schools, then Middlesex Community College, receiving an associate degree in human services, according to a news release. She earned a bachelor’s degree in human services from Springfield College, a master’s degree in education from Cambridge College, a sixth-year degree in educational leadership from Southern Connecticut State University and, most recently, completed the executive leadership program at the University of Connecticut, while pursuing the superintendent certification.