New Principal For Cranford's Orange Avenue School

CRANFORD, NJ - Lori Lubieski-Hutmaker has been named the new principal of Orange Avenue School, succeeding Dr. Marc Edery who resigned effective June 30.

Lubieski-Hutmaker was selected after an extensive search process which included multiple interviews with the selection committee that included the superintendent, asst. superintendent, parents, administrators, and teachers as well as reviews of work samples and a very thorough reference check, officials said.

Lubieski-Hutmaker began her educational career as an eighth grade Social Studies teacher in East Brunswick at Churchill Junior High School. After two years, she returned to West Windsor Plainsboro High School (South) as a United States History Teacher where she had worked previously as an instructional aide. During these six years, she taught American Studies I, II, I ESL, II ESL, and Advanced Placement United States History and worked with three student teachers. As part of her administrative experience, she developed curricula for ESL students in Biology.

Her first administrative position was the Assistant Principal at Lenape Valley Regional High School where she worked for ten years. Here she developed an Undergraduate Awards program and also led a transition to a new schedule. For the last three years, Lubieski-Hutmaker has been the Assistant Principal at Madison Junior School where she has implemented initiatives that focus on the social and emotional well-being of students, while also enhancing the academic program. Furthermore, Mrs. Lubieski-Hutmaker is highly focused on supporting faculty.

She recently enhanced a new teacher orientation program to support new school staff. Additionally, as the District's School Safety Specialist, Lubieski-Hutmaker has been instrumental in improving safety throughout the District.

Lubieski-Hutmaker began her collegiate studies at St. Joseph's University studying Finance. After one year, she transferred to Trenton State College where she studied Public Administration and was a member of the 1992 Softball National Championship Team.

"Outside of school I have always enjoyed competitive sports and I had the pleasure of playing for a National Championship softball team at Trenton State College, now The College of New Jersey, in 1992. My playing career led to coaching at the middle school, high school, and university level," Lubieski-Hutmaker said.

From working with children in clinics, she said was inspired to complete her Master of Arts in Teaching degree in 1995. While teaching and also coaching softball at Princeton University and Rider University, she earned her second Masters in Secondary Administration from Rider in 2004.

"Now I enjoy watching my daughter explore activities and I love to see the world through her experiences," Lubieski-Hutmaker said.

Lubieski-Hutmaker said she is extremely excited to be named the new Principal of Orange Avenue School and said she looks forward to working collaboratively with parents, students, and staff to ensure the success of the Orange Avenue School community. She lives in Monmouth Junction with her husband Michael and daughter Addison.

As for Edery, he said in a letter to the community that he came to the decision after much thought and reflection.

"With the recent completion of my doctorate, I am interested in pursuing a position that focuses more on curriculum/instruction and technology integration," he said.

Edery obtained his doctorate from Rutgers University where his dissertation focused on elementary literacy.

"After serving for six years as a principal in total, and as an assistant principal for eight years before that, the time is right for me to move into a central office/district level position," Edery said.

Edery also was a curriculum supervisor and teacher earlier in his career.

"It has been a great honor to lead Orange Avenue School over the past four years. I wish to express my gratitude for your partnership and support," Edery said. "It has been a great pleasure serving such an amazing school community of parents, teachers and students."

Superintendent Scott Rubin told Patch that he and the entire district wishes Edery well.

"On behalf of the Cranford Public School District, we thank Dr. Edery for everything he has done to support students, parents, staff, and the Cranford community at large," Rubin said. "We wish Dr. Edery all the best in his future endeavors."

Edery said prior to his departure he will ensure a smooth end to the school year and transition in leadership.

Thanks for reading! Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Have a news tip you'd like to share? Or maybe you have a press release you would like to submit or a correction you'd like to request? Send an email to russ.crespolini@patch.com

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter. You can also have them delivered to your phone screen by downloading, or by visiting the Google Play store.