Schools
Nelson Succeeds Bolton as RIS Number Two
Educator comes to Westfield from Orange school district
Roosevelt Intermediate School students and teachers will be welcoming a new administrator to their school in a few weeks.
Derrick Nelson, a current administrator with the Orange Board of Education, was appointed as the new assistant principal of RIS during a special Board of Education meeting on Thursday evening. Nelson succeeds Matt Bolton, who was named principal of McKinley School in June.
Nelson, who will start his duties at RIS on August 16, comes to Westfield from a position as the assistant principal of Park Avenue School, a K-7 school in Orange. He has also served at the Main Street School, a K-8 in Orange.
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According to a press release from the Westfield Board of Education, Nelson managed building operations, implemented disciplinary procedures, managed building operations, and analyzed test results to help teachers target areas of weakness in student tests in his position in Orange. Before accepting a position as assistant principal, Nelson worked as a teacher in the Pre-K-sixth grade Washington Community School in Plainfield NJ from 2002-2007.
Nelson earned a master of arts degree, with a focus on education administration from Saint Peter's College, as well as a bachelor of arts degree in Mass Communication from Delaware State University. He is a doctorial candidate in education administration in Seton Hall University.
RIS Principal Stewart Carey said that he was "very pleased to have Derrick Nelson joining the RIS staff."
He commented, "His previous experience as an assistant principal in Orange and his volunteer work in the Summit schools show his commitment to the education of children."
Nelson himself said, "I look forward to spending time and getting to know the wonderful staff, students and parents of Roosevelt Intermediate School."
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"The opportunity to work in such a great community like Westfield is the dream of any administrator." Nelson went on to say, "I really look forward to helping teachers help the students. After all, that's what we're here for."
