By Donald Gilpin

Christopher Sheridan

Christopher Sheridan, currently assistant principal at Delran Intermediate School in Delran, N.J., will be the next principal at Johnson Park Elementary School (JP), succeeding Angela Siso Stentz, who will take on her new role this summer as assistant superintendent for human resources for Princeton Public Schools (PPS).

Sheridan, who has 17 years of experience in education, pointed out his focus as an elementary school administrator and as a teacher of kindergarten and fifth grade. “Some of the most rewarding and impactful experiences during these times have been the six years as a kindergarten teacher and the five-and-a-half years spent as a fifth grade teacher,” he wrote in an email. “Understanding the continuum of these students’ learning and development on the opposite ends in the primary and elementary grade spectrum has prepared me to lead JP.”

He went on to note that as an assistant principal for grades three to five over the past five years, “I have connected with students by being present and genuinely interested in them as people and their families, mediating conflict, helping to plan curriculum, and generating access to resources on a broader scale across an entire student body and school community.”

He emphasized the importance of “working collaboratively with all stakeholders to create a partnership where all voices are heard benefiting all the students we serve.”

Commenting on his thoughts as he embarks on this new phase in his career in educational leadership, Sheridan, as quoted in a PPS press release, stated, “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the students, staff, and families of Johnson Park, and I will work tirelessly to meet and exceed the high standards Johnson Park has established. Keeping the mindset of what is best for students has been a primary tenet of my leadership philosophy, and I am eager to begin the work of serving this community of learners.”

He pointed out that he has been in communication with Siso Stentz and looks forward to collaborating with her in his transition to JP, as he works to “further improve upon the extraordinary traditions at JP while maintaining the positive impact on the social, emotional, and academic development of our students and supporting our amazing faculty and staff.”

Sheridan, who was chosen by a committee of PPS administrators, teachers, and parents, will be meeting other members of the JP community over the coming weeks.

“We are excited to welcome Chris Sheridan to Princeton Public Schools,” said Acting Superintendent Kathie Foster. “We were impressed by his sound knowledge of instruction, warm demeanor, and student-centered mindset. We had a strong field of candidates, and we would like to thank everyone who applied.”

Sheridan received his bachelor’s degree in history and master’s degree in educational leadership from Montclair State University, the press release reports. He started teaching in 2007 as a fifth grade teacher at the Jersey City Community Charter School, and in 2011 moved to a teaching position at T.G Connors School in Hoboken. From 2012 to 2019 he was first a teacher, then dean of students and programs for grades K-3 at Joseph F. Brandt Primary

School in Hoboken before moving to Delran Intermediate in 2019.

Sheridan, his wife, and their two sons live in Robbinsville. He enjoys spending time with his family, playing sports with his sons, hiking, fishing, kayaking, and traveling.