In Fort Lee, education leaders decided the best fit for the principal opening should come from within.
Assistant Principal Robert Kravitz was promoted to head School 3 at the Aug. 11 meeting.
Kravitz will earn $116,000 in a one-year contract that expires June 30, 2009.
Kravitz thanked the school board and his colleagues for helping him.
"It took years of hard work," said Kravitz after the meeting. "I love working with kids and I want to ‘raise the bar’ of education."
Kravitz started teaching five years ago at the Center For Responsible Economic Academic and Technological Excellence Charter High School in Jersey City. He taught entrepreneurship, business and accounting classes.
When asked about the differences between teaching in Jersey City and Fort Lee, Kravitz said, "In both locations it was and has been great. Students always want to learn. The key is to bring passion to the classroom, which will create a desire for students to learn."
Kravitz applied for a teaching position in Fort Lee in 2005. He taught business and accounting at the high school before being promoted to assistant vice-principal. He was also worked as director of the high school’s Academy of Finance, which is one of only three in Bergen County. It was created four years ago to prepare students for the highly competitive employment in the financial sector. The experience enabled Kravitz to form a stronger bond with educators, parents and the community.
"[High school principal Jay] Berman gave me the opportunity and it has been great," Kravitz said. "The students, parents and teachers in a Fort Lee are great. They really care about education and they always inspired me to strive and be a better administrator."
Kravitz earned his Bachelor of Science in business from Rutgers University, his master’s in business administration and education at St. Peter's College and currently works as an adjunct professor at college teaching principles in management and organizational behavior.
Kravitz looks forward to the new challenges that are ahead. He said the most difficult part of the transition will be, "Missing the students and faculty and staff I have worked with. However, I am looking forward to the new position."
