The South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education (BOE) voted unanimously Tuesday to appoint Susan Grierson as the district’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.
Grierson has served as principal of Jefferson School since 2009 and has been with the South Orange-Maplewood School District (SOMSD) for eight years. She will replace Lydia Furnari, who after two years in the role is leaving to become superintendent of the Franklin Lakes School District.
Grierson has three decades of experience as a teacher and principal, according to a statement on the district website.
SOMSD Superintendent Brian G. Osborne said in the statement that Grierson had been a “key influencer” on the district’s teaching and policy for several years.
“Within the Jefferson community, Mrs. Grierson led a virtual renaissance, bringing a child-centered sense of joy to the school, and creating larger-than-life learning experiences for her students through partnering with staff and community groups,” Osborne said. “She will bring a needed principal voice to the Board and the senior leadership team, bolster the collaborative work of the Board and administration, partner across all stakeholder groups, all while remaining grounded in high quality, engaging teaching and learning for all students.”
“My goal is to ensure that we provide all of our students with a curriculum and classrooms that are child focused, engaging, and challenging, as well as to inspire each of our 6,600 students to meet and exceed their academic potential,” said Grierson.
Grierson will begin her new role effective July 1, 2014. A search is underway to recruit a new principal for Jefferson School.
