My name is Ron Mascenik, and I am the principal of our Dr. Herbert N. Richardson School.  I'd like to tell you a little bit about myself.

I have lived my entire life in Perth Amboy.  I attended the Thomas Mundy Peterson School, the Samuel E. Shull School, and graduated from Perth Amboy High School.  I received my Bachelor's Degree from Bryant College in Smithfield, RI and came back to Perth Amboy to be a teacher.  I began my career as a teacher at the Anthony V. Ceres School, where I taught for 11 years.  During that time, I worked on my Master's Degree and earned it in 2009 from Grand Canyon University.  I then became the vice principal of the Robert N. Wilentz School.  I was there for two years and was then transferred to Dr. Herbert N. Richardson School in 2016.  I've happily been here since then.  

My family is the most important thing my life, followed by education.   My wife Carmen and I have two sons; Matthew and Lucas, who both attend Shull School.  You will usually see us around town and at school events.

My Philosophy on Education:

Students, now, more than ever need multiple tools to ensure success in life.  I believe it is the responsibility of our school to help them discover these tools and learn how to use them to ensure success.  Education is not just being able to read, write, and complete mathematical equations; it is also teaching students the social skills to need to be able to work together to come up with solutions to solve complex problems.  Those people who have the skills to provide effective and efficient solutions to problems will be most successful in whatever career path they choose.  

I believe that it is our imperative as educators to give our students the tools they need in order to be successful in life.  This doesn’t only include their academics, but their social and emotional preparedness as well.  A leadership team can ensure that all students receive a solid and fair education, if they have a clear mission and instructional plan.  However, that leadership team does not work in a bubble.  With a team of dedicated educational experts, they can work collaboratively to develop the plan and goals through extensive data collection and analysis.  Students can receive instruction that is highly engaging and teaches them the content they need to learn, and how to work collaboratively in order to be prepared for their next destination in their educational journey.

Ronald Mascenik