Glen Rock Schools Get New Principal With Familiar Face

GLEN ROCK, NJ — Kristin Gomez has been appointed the principal of Alexander Hamilton Elementary School starting Jan. 2, 2024, said Glen Rock Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brett Charleston. She had taught in various capacities in Glen Rock, then became an assistant principal in the Westwood Regional School District.

Gomez’s appointment was approved at the Glen Rock Board of Education meeting on Monday, Nov. 6, school officials said.

"After many years working within the Glen Rock district in various capacities, Mrs. Gomez, a River Edge resident, is excited to be returning to the community," said the district in a release.

She started in the district as a fourth grade teacher (2011-2015, 2018-2019), then as a special education teacher (2015-18), the district’s first-ever Elementary Instructional Literacy Coach (2019-22), and most recently as the interim K-12 Supervisor of English (2021-22). Then, she served in Westwood for over a year.

Gomez earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University and two Master of Arts degrees in Elementary/Special Education and Education Leadership, both from Montclair State University, the district said.

According to the release:

"Gomez shared that she had incredibly positive experiences as a teacher, literacy coach, and administrator at Glen Rock before she made the difficult decision to leave the district two years ago. During her time in Westwood, she has played a significant role in continuing the cultivation of high standards for teaching, learning, and student behavior, in addition to forming strong bonds with the community by maintaining regular internal and external communication, working closely with the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), and being present at school events.

"Mrs. Gomez expressed her appreciation for the staff, teachers, families, and students in the Westwood Regional School District who have trusted her as their Assistant Principal, as she said it has been a transformative experience on which she will always look back fondly.

"While thanking her husband, parents, and two sons for being a tremendous support system, Mrs. Gomez is also incredibly grateful for her Glen Rock colleagues and administrative team, as she credits them with being the individuals who taught her how to lead."

“I know what special places Glen Rock and Hamilton are," Gomez said, "and I’m thrilled to be returning now as the leader of Hamilton. I’m most looking forward to meeting the students and their families, getting to know the staff, building relationships and gathering feedback from the entire Hamilton community, and starting to understand the inner workings of the school and what makes it so great. I can’t wait to begin the next chapter at Hamilton — all of us together.”

Dr. Charleston thanked the committee of stakeholders that participated in the interview process for the Hamilton principal and the Board of Education in supporting Gomez’s appointment.

“We are very excited to welcome Mrs. Gomez back to Glen Rock as the new principal at Hamilton,” Dr. Charleston said. “Throughout the interview process, Mrs. Gomez effectively articulated a vision of Hamilton that aligned with district goals. Our students, staff, and parents will benefit under Mrs. Gomez’s leadership. Hamilton’s future is in good hands.”