Jessica Baruffo grew up in Dutchess County and is a Dover High School graduate. She actually started working as Krieger’s assistant principal in March 2023, coming here from the Mount Vernon City School District, where she worked since 2016.

“During the interview process (here), I saw great educators and a school community I’d love to work with and grow with professionally,” she said.

In addition to master’s degrees in childhood and childhood education and school building/district leadership, Baruffo has a BA in Spanish and said she is “conversationally bilingual.”

She taught pre-K for two years at a small daycare center while pursuing her master’s degree and then became a special education teacher in Mount Vernon before the opportunity here arose.

In her first year, Baruffo wants to strengthen relationships with families, communities and students; work with teachers to utilize research-based practices to increase student achievement and develop strong social-emotional development using the Second Step curriculum.

“I bring a positive and proactive attitude with a thirst for learning and growth,” she said.

When not working, Baruffo enjoys travel, hiking and exercise. She is also an animal lover and has two dogs, Tucker and Bruno; and a cat, Tyson.