By TALIA WIENER
wiener@montclairlocal.news
Bradford Elementary School is set to welcome a new principal next week.
Superintendent Jonathan Ponds announced in a press release April 29 he will recommend the appointment of Frances Aboushi, current assistant principal at Glenfield Middle School, as Bradford School’s principal at the May 5 Board of Education meeting. Aboushi would begin transitioning into the role on May 6.
Aboushi has been a teacher and administrator for 19 years, working in both public and private education. She taught history for 13 years at a private school in Hudson County before joining the Montclair school district, teaching social studies at Glenfield, according to the announcement.
At Glenfield, she taught a course called “Humans Rights and Violations” where her goal was to “empower students to identify themselves as change agents in today’s society,” the announcement said. She also participated in the district’s “Undoing Racism” series, and created her own staff and parent workshops — “Cultural Responsiveness and Sensitivity” and “How to Talk to Your Kids About Race.”
“Her educational philosophy is based on her uncompromising belief that all students can learn when given a positive learning environment, a hands-on community, and are supported by strong and knowledgeable leadership and a committed and focused educational team,” Ponds said in the announcement.
Aboushi was promoted to assistant principal at Glenfield in September 2019 and worked with her colleagues to improve staff culture. She also built community partnerships with the Wally Choice Community Center and Toni’s Kitchen.
She has a bachelor of arts degree in history from City College, CUNY, a master of arts degree in history from Rutgers and a master of arts degree in educational leadership from Montclair State University. In June, she will begin a doctoral program at Seton Hall University in Educational Leadership, Management and Policy.
“I look forward to developing collaborative relationships with everyone in the Bradford community, supporting staff and students in reaching their greatest potential, strengthening connections between school and home, and fostering a positive school culture,” Aboushi said in a press release from the district.
Aboushi is replacing interim Bradford principal Marcos Vargas, who has filled the role since Naomi Kirkman left earlier this year. Vargas is currently director of humanities for the district.
The district has seen a steady rotation and reassignment of assistant principals and principals at its many schools over the past few years.
An earlier version of this post incorrectly described a previous assignment of principals at Bradford and Glenfield schools.