Constable Elementary hires new asst. principal
BY CHRIS MURINO Staff Writer

SOUTH BRUNSWICK - Constable Elementary School has its new assistant principal in place and he's so thrilled about it, he can hardly wait to begin.

Erik Paulson, currently serving as the math and science curriculum coordinator for JohnAdams and Judd schools in North Brunswick, was named to the assistant principal post at the May 19 Board of Education meeting.

"I'm excited about it," Paulson said. "For me, it's a step in the right direction."

This is Paulson's first administrative position. Before his current position as math and science curriculum coordinator, he was a third-grade teacher at John Adams School from 2001 through 2007. He also taught third grade at South Graham School in Graham, N.C., for a year.

Paulson was impressed by the district's interviewing process, which he said was more intense than he expected.

"I learned a lot from [the interview process]," he said. "I'm glad I was fully prepared."

Paulson was asked about his assessments of teachers and his experience.

"Most of the questions centered around [that] they wanted something different rather than what they usually do," he said. "They wanted some new blood."

Paulson believes his experience will help him in his new position.

"I really learned a lot about state testing and mandates," Paulson said. "I was able to help teachers in the truest sense, because I was still at their level. I got experience with helping teachers that are struggling."

This will be a major change when he becomes an assistant principal for the first time. He will have to formally evaluate teachers, something he has never been asked to do. He will sit in with principal Suzanne Luck-Born on some early class observations to see what she looks for in the teachers.

"All schools have a little different culture that you have to assimilate to," Paulson said.

Paulson added that he was really excited to work with Luck-Born. He realized this right away during an interview session, after finding out what she did for a group of teachers who were donating their time and energy toward aiding the interview process.

"She took her own time and her own money and cooked the teachers dinner," Paulson said. "I said, 'That's really somebody I would love to work with.' "

Moving to South Brunswick was bittersweet for Paulsen, however.

"This is kind of where I started my career," Paulson said. "Dr. [Barbara] Tylka was the first principal to ever hire me."

But he said it would be good to get experience outside of his original district.

Paulson's new position will go into effect on Sept. 1. He is replacing Luck-Born as assistant principal. She was promoted to principal of Constable after the previous principal, Richard Chromey, was appointed the new director of program assessment and data management for the district.