Mr. Eric James

Supervised a team of professionals (Elementary School Staff) including Para-educators and office staff. Oversee a student body of Pre-K to 5th graders (610 student learners) Coordinate scheduling for security guards, lunch aides, custodians, afterschool’s programs and ensuring a safe conducive learning environment for the entire school and community. Met deadlines for evaluations for tenure and non-tenured faculty.

Contribute to the academic and social tone of school through the consistent demonstration of professionalism and enthusiasm of the school community by upholding a commitment to educational excellence and establishing and promoting an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust.

Acting Principal – Mount Vernon Elementary School - Irvington School District - Irvington, NJ

(2025 - 2026)

Supervised a team of professionals (Elementary School Staff) including Para-educators and office staff. Oversee a student body of Pre-K to 5th graders (610 student learners) Coordinate scheduling for security guards, lunch aides, custodians, afterschool’s programs and ensuring a safe conducive learning environment for the entire school and community. Met deadlines for evaluations for tenure and non-tenured faculty.

Contribute to the academic and social tone of school through the consistent demonstration of professionalism and enthusiasm of the school community by upholding a commitment to educational excellence and establishing and promoting an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust.

• Led School Safety Team for seven years through meeting monthly to discuss building needs and students that need of differentiated structure as well as organized grade level staircases.
• Helped reduce absenteeism by implementing new initiatives.
• Decreased referrals/discipline during recess by implementing new initiatives.
• Building Improvement Plan by looking/walkthroughs with custodians and Building and Grounds’ Supervisors created a plan to improve the esthetics of the building and grounds, (doors, hallways, floors, stage, pavement, playground area).
• Assisted in Breakfast/Lunch for Staff Initiative by Successfully implemented school lunch for staff which boosted the moral of the building and fund raising for students.
• Monitored Ready to Win Drop Off (6:30 am to 8:00am) helped increase school attendance and decreased late drop offs/HFP’s.
• Increased performances/assemblies with student input
• Implemented Peer Observations/Tour De France-Mount Vernon

Assistant Principal – Union Avenue Middle School/University - Irvington School District - Irvington, NJ

(2010 - 2024)

Supervised a team of professionals (Physical Education, Science, Mathematics, Art, I.G., Technology and Social Studies Departments) including Para-educators and office staff. Oversee a student body of 8th graders (225 student learners)/Currently in charge of 7th grade (240 student/learners). Coordinate scheduling for security guards, lunch aides, and administrative as well as track the order of office supplies.

Liaise daily with cafeteria custodians and maintenance staff, ensuring a safe environment for the entire school community. Meet deadlines for evaluations for tenure and non-tenured faculty. Contribute to the academic and social tone of school through the consistent demonstration of professionalism and enthusiasm of the school community by upholding a commitment to educational excellence and establishing and promoting an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust.

• Led School Safety Team for seven years through meeting monthly to discuss building needs and students that need of differentiated structure as well as organized grade level staircases.
• Helped reduce suspensions by 60% by implementing discipline strategies and creating a BMR classroom (Behavior Modification Room).
• Increased student participation in Physical Education by 80% by changing dress code policy and classroom instructional practices.
• Started Colgate Track Team by recruiting female student-athletes that were interested in running track. The program has been successful for the past five years.
• Assist Several Athletic Directors at Union Avenue/University Middle School level by looking up student-athlete’s grades and making appointments for physicals. In charge of paying referee, study hall/after-school program and a site administrator for the past five years. Schedule independent games and monitor league competition in the following sports: boys/girls soccer, boys/girls basketball, wrestling, baseball and softball. Organized basketball school championship game and battle of the cheerle
• Assisted in RAC/Focus School Initiative by Successfully implemented school improvement plans that decreased our chronic absenteeism rate and increased our student growth scores, which removed my school from focus status.
• Supervised the ML’s in new testing room locations, Bi-Lingual Teachers-gaining lesson plan review/access and best practices, assisted in Special Services Department Meetings and IEP goals/suggestions/follow throughs, coached and mentored several grade levels (6th -8th )
• Monitored afterschool programs, morning/afternoon cafeteria, SERT Team, SOAR/BMR Classroom, HFP Meetings and Progressive Discipline Procedures/Classroom Management Strategy Consultant

District Administrator/ESL Supervisor/HIB Coordinator - Cherry Hill School/NBC/Roosevelt School - River Edge, NJ

(2018 - 2024)

Supervise a team of professionals (Physical Education, Art, Music, Media Center, and Spanish Departments) including ESL Teachers/SEL/EDI and Pupil Assistance Counselors. Oversee a student body of Pre-K to 6th graders. Coordinate scheduling for morning and lunch duty and ESL ACCESS Testing.

Meet deadlines for evaluations for tenure and non-tenured faculty. Contribute to the academic and social tone of school through the consistent demonstration of professionalism and enthusiasm of the school community by upholding a commitment to educational excellence throughout the District.

• Led Social Emotional Learning Team/Morning Meetings District Wide Schedule
• Lead Administrator NBC Building/Special Needs (K-6)/Pre-K-First Grade
• Monthly meetings to discuss building needs of students and staff that may need of differentiated emotional support, mentally and physically
• Implemented vocabulary monthly “Power” Words for the District – (EDI)
• Implemented a 30-Day Teacher Challenge
• District Affirmative Action Representative
• District HIB Coordinator
• Implemented new program to District “P.O.P” Power of Play-Support students that struggle at recess/lunch with independent play/social skills
• Reconfiguration Team (District Wide)-Equity and Diversity
• Morning Drop-Off District Wide (Municipal Building/Chief Of Police/Board Members/Traffic Control)

Acting/Interim Principal-Blue Nights Academy - Irvington Public Schools - Irvington, NJ

(2010 - 2012)

Supervise a team of professionals (Physical Education, English, Mathematics and Pupil/Substance Abuse Counselors. Oversee a student body of 8th-12th Grade/Classified Students. Coordinated night school schedule and food services for students.

Meet deadlines for evaluations for tenure and non-tenured faculty. Contribute to the academic and social atmosphere/structure of school through the consistent demonstration of professionalism, compassion and enthusiasm of the school community by upholding a commitment to educational excellence throughout the District.

• Helped reduce vandalism/suspensions by 70% by implementing discipline strategies/progressive discipline/restorative practices
• Increased student participation in all content areas by 80% by changing dress code policy and classroom/locations/instructional practices/pacing guide/care services.
• Started Food Services Program by recruiting/meeting with businesses from the community.
• Freedom Fridays by successfully empowering students/staff by creating a schedule earned by bi-weekly to enhance student achievement and staff participation. (Dance, Entertainment News, Music Production, Cosmetology, Constitutional Rights). Chronic absenteeism ceased and Friday “was the place to be.”

Athletic Director/Physical Education Teacher – Ascension School - New Milford School District - New Milford, NJ

(2002 - 2006)

Planned, controlled and directed the overall sports activities for an elementary school with 400 students and 20 faculty members. Taught Physical Education classes, Pre-K through 8th Grade. Scope of position includes: student recruitment, development and evaluation of coaches and players, fiscal management, record maintenance, program initiatives, team building, shared decision-making, school values, and created of a safe, respectful, and fair environment.

• Increased student attendance by 10% by recruiting student athletes and restoring student-faculty relationship.
• Started school first Field Day by creating a blueprint and collaborating with all staff members and engaging the community.

Physical Education Teacher-Grace Lutheran Church and School - Teaneck School District - Teaneck, NJ

(2000 - 2002)

Ensured the academic, social, and physical growth and development of 200 students from ages 5 – 13 through the implementation of effective Physical Education programs, policies, and procedures. Provided instructional leadership in teaching and learning practices. Developed school sports program and summer program for student’s age 4-14.

• Started school first Field Day by creating a blueprint and collaborating with all staff members.

Varsity/J.V. Boys Basketball Coach-Frisch School/Paramus Catholic High School - Paramus School District - Paramus NJ

(2005 - 2007)

Provided instructional consultation to athletes and coaches. Conducted skills and drills before and after practices. Won the Yeshiva Championships 2005 and 2006 and League Champions for three straight years.

• Started the first college recruiting service for 12th Grade students by calling coaches throughout New Jersey and creating highlight videotapes.
• Finalist of the Yeshiva Championships 2005-2006

Assistant College Women Basketball Coach (Division II) - Felician University - East Rutherford – Lodi NJ

(1999 - 2005)

Actively participated in recruiting athletes nationally and was the Head Coach for off-season workouts and Summer League Basketball Tournaments. Evaluated incoming freshmen and current basketball players and film exchange. Generated quarterly and annual reports evaluating student-athlete progress to support recommendations for further basketball players.