New High School, Middle School Assistant Principals Coming To Glen Rock

GLEN ROCK, NJ — Two new assistant principals are coming to Glen Rock Middle School And High School, the district announced recently.

Maria Rivera and Louis Ferrara start their new positions over the summer, said a district spokesperson.

The first day of school will be Tuesday, Sept. 3, the day after Labor Day (double check for school calendar updates here).

Rivera, who is working on her doctorate in education, will be the assistant principal at the high school, while Ferrara will serve as assistant principal in the middle school.

Learn more about them in this release from the district:

Press Release On Hiring Of 2 Assistant Principals

Ferrara has worked in education for 16 years, teaching social studies at both the middle and high school levels in the West Essex School District. He has always aspired to become an administrator and believes that his classroom and coaching experience has prepared him well for this new role.

Ferrara is a family man and said his greatest accomplishment will always be serving as father to his four young children. "Each day is busy," he said, “but I wouldn’t trade it for the world!”

Ferrara expressed his excitement to begin the next phase of his career at Glen Rock Middle School. “I look forward to collaborating with a dedicated team of administrators and teachers,” he continued, “and building strong relationships with the students of GRMS.”

Maria Rivera’s former careers both in the medical field and as an accountant led her to the educational leadership position she holds today.

Following her graduation from Caldwell University where she earned a bachelor’s degree and MBA, Mrs. Rivera worked as an accountant during the time period her son became a teenager. “Having the opportunity to guide and mentor my children and their friends through their teenage years,” she explained, “made me aware of how much I value and love working with teenagers.”

Rivera eventually combined her two passions of business and working with teens by becoming a Business teacher. She explained that “teaching and mentoring teenagers gave me a daily sense of value and accomplishment, so much so that I returned back to school and earned my Ed.S. degree. I am proud to be an Ed.D. candidate at Seton Hall University, where my dissertation is on teacher retention.”

Rivera has mentored and coached teachers on instructional and behavioral management strategies utilizing data to enhance student academic achievements. She has also developed educational programs to enhance both academics and improve behaviors.

“My experience as the I&RS (Intervention & Referral Services), ScIP (School Improvement Plan), and testing lead and, most importantly, my values in building positive relationships with our students, teachers, staff, and parents/guardians, has afforded me the opportunity to ensure I have a successful career here at GRHS.”

Rivera is celebrating her 29th wedding anniversary with her husband, with whom she has two (now adult) children and a “paw son,” Domino.

She has taken flying lessons, skydived, teaches phlebotomy, and loves vacationing, especially in the Caribbean.

We are proud to welcome Mr. Ferrara and Mrs. Rivera to the GRPS community!