New Principal Appointed At Princeton’s Riverside Elementary School

PRINCETON, NJ — The Princeton Board of Education recently voted to appoint Max L. Achtau II as the new principal for Riverside Elementary School.

The decision was made on March 28, when most of meeting was dominated by the controversy over Princeton High School Principal Frank Chmiel.

Achtau is expected to start in his role in July. Meanwhile, interim principal Nancy Whelan will remain at Riverside through the end of the school year. Whelan will be available over the summer to ensure a smooth transition for students, staff and parents, the school district said.

Actuau was principal at Sunnybrae Elementary School in Hamilton since 2018. Prior to Sunnybrae, Achtau was the Assistant Principal and Dean of Students at the Warren Middle School.

Superintendent Carol Kelley thanked the search committee for the time and work in interviewing qualified candidates for the position. She praised Whelan for leading Riverside as an interim principal and said Achtau would be a great addition to the school district.

“Achtau’s depth of experience, dedication to student success and leadership skills stood out during the interview process. We believe Achtau will be an excellent addition to Riverside,” Kelley said.

Achtau has 23 years of experience as an educator, including nine years as a school administrator. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Rutgers University and has dual Masters of Arts degrees from Tufts University in German Literature and Teaching.

He has a Post Master’s Certificate in Educational Leadership from The College of New Jersey (TCNJ).

After his appointment, Achtau spoke to the community and said he grateful for the opportunity.

“To Riverside families and staff, I look forward to meeting many of you this summer and I’m very excited to be part of the team,” Achtau said.

Achtau taught German and Science in West Windsor-Plainsboro schools. From 2004 to 2006, he taught ESL and Reading at The American School in Switzerland (TASIS), Montagnola, Switzerland. He began his career teaching middle school German and Spanish in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

He lives in Lawrenceville with his wife, Julie, and their two children.

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