New principal excited to lead Freehold school

New principal excited
to lead Freehold school
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO
Staff Writer

Nelson Ribon

FREEHOLD — The Freehold Intermediate School has a new principal and he believes he will be a perfect fit for the job. Nelson Ribon was hired by the Board of Education to replace former principal Darrell Jackson.

Although Ribon was born in the United States, his heritage is Colombian. Superintendent of Schools Philip J. Meara said Ribon was the best candidate for the job and is a person who will use his English and Spanish language skills to interact with the district’s growing number of Hispanic students and their parents.

Ribon, 34, comes to the borough from Keansburg High School where he taught for five years and had his administrative internship as well. His experience includes teaching high school Spanish and psychology in Keansburg and one year of teaching at St. John Vianney High School in Holmdel.

Ribon calls himself a "building teacher" rather than a "classroom teacher." He said he made an effort to get to know not only his students, but other students in the school as well.

During his time with the Keansburg district, Ribon served on the leadership council and as chairman of the curriculum committee. He has experience with budgeting, block scheduling and acting as a mentor to other teachers. He was a class adviser, he served on the Special Education Steering Negotiations Committee and as a translator in the Keansburg district.

Ribon, who is a resident of Atlantic Highlands, calls his new position a 24/7 type of job. He said he intends to extend his commitment to many activities, including school dances and other important student activities and events.

Ribon grew up in Livingston and Newark among many different ethnic groups and said children can learn from diversity. He said he likes the idea that the borough’s school district is small.

"This is a place I can really be a hands-on kind of principal and I feel I can really make a difference here in Freehold Borough," he said. "I think Freehold Borough is the right fit for me. Everyone here has made me feel so welcome. It’s more than I could have asked for. I think the school district has great potential and I am looking forward to being part of that growth."

He thanked Jackson for helping him with the transition and said he considers Meara a mentor.

On his list of important areas to attend to is discipline.

"This is a huge issue," Ribon said. "Kids this age learn through discipline. There are a lot of good things happening here and my intention is to be consistent with what is already here and yet incorporate new things into the school."

He said he intends to use the school’s diversity to its full advantage.

Also on his list are fostering respect for one another and encouraging students to get more involved in sports and extracurricular activities.

"I believe every student has a gift and is talented in something," he said, adding that he wants each child to find his or her gift.

Ribon and his wife of three years, Amanda, are expecting their first child.