Wilbur Cross High School Fills All Math and Science Roles
The New Haven school achieved a full staffing milestone for its science and mathematics departments this academic year.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Wilbur Cross High School has successfully filled every math and science teaching position for the 2026-27 school year. This achievement marks the first time the school has reached full staffing capacity for these subjects since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Why it matters
The district faced significant challenges in recruiting specialized educators following the pandemic, leading to the use of a hiring partnership with Teach for America. The lifting of a district-wide hiring freeze allowed for an increase in the number of corps members brought into local classrooms.
Eighty percent of Connecticut corps members from 2024 remain in their teaching roles following their initial two-year commitment. Additionally, New Haven Public Schools added 11 new corps members to its staff this year.
The players
Matt Brown
He serves as the principal of Wilbur Cross High School and previously started his career with Teach for America.
Lili Flippu
She is a biology teacher who began her tenure at Wilbur Cross High School in 2026.
Kenia Pochette
She is a math teacher who joined the faculty at Wilbur Cross High School in 2026.
Charnice Hoegnifioh
She is a teacher at Wilbur Cross High School who utilizes specific assessment methods for student test-taking strategies.
Breanna Thomas
She serves as an assistant principal and began her career through Teach for America Connecticut in 2011.
The details
New Haven Public Schools leveraged a strategic partnership with Teach for America to stabilize its workforce and address ongoing recruitment difficulties. Teachers such as Lili Flippu and Kenia Pochette, who joined the Wilbur Cross faculty in 2026, are among the staff helping to ensure all core classroom positions are occupied.
Timeline
1992: Principal Matt Brown began his tenure with Teach for America in Los Angeles.
2011: Assistant Principal Breanna Thomas started with Teach for America Connecticut.
2024: Charnice Hoegnifioh joined the staff at Wilbur Cross High School.
2026: Lili Flippu and Kenia Pochette began their teaching roles at Wilbur Cross.
2026-2027 school year: Wilbur Cross High School secured teachers for all math and science positions.
Culture Shift
This staffing success reflects a broader trend of districts relying on the Teach for America two-year corps member commitment to address persistent educational labor gaps. Such partnerships are increasingly vital as schools navigate the lingering recruitment difficulties that followed the pandemic.
Families in the Wilbur Cross attendance zone can expect improved instructional continuity now that all math and science roles are filled by permanent staff. This change stabilizes daily classroom routines for students who previously faced inconsistencies due to staffing shortages.
The takeaway
Securing a full staff of science and math educators provides students with more predictable learning environments and consistent academic support. Consistent teaching presence remains a critical factor in long-term student success and improved test-taking outcomes.
Further reading
For more information on local initiatives, visit the Secondary Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by New Haven Indy.
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