Braveboy Takes Job As Elementary Principal

Braveboy Takes Job As Elementary Principal

Mr. Braveboy makes his daily rounds through the student center and cafeteria during lunch, monitoring the room and checking in with his students. He brings smiles to their faces as he thinks about the big change that he is about to go through.

After working with high school students for more than 20 years, Mr. Braveboy is moving on to become Principal of Jefferson Elementary School. Braveboy took the job in order to gain more experience for his doctoral degree and superintendent certificate.

“It was a tough decision,” Braveboy said. “I’m hoping to get experience at the different levels, so I’ll understand the functions of the different levels of education. I think it will be a good experience.”

Braveboy said he most enjoyed spending time in the classroom as a teacher.

“I really did enjoy being in the classroom and teaching kids, especially when I had all of the athletes in my class,” he said. “They always wanted to discuss and talk about their interests and incorporate everything into our lessons. We just had a lot of fun learning [the lessons] and at the same time learning about life in general.”

Along with teaching, Braveboy also said that he loved attending sporting events.

“I just love the games,” he said. “I love being a Raider and going out and supporting even when I’m not assigned to. I just wish I could be at every game. It became a little more difficult when I had two kids, but before that you could have seen me at almost every game. I love the games, I love the whole family spirit. I love just all the support and love that you receive from the students and staff here at Rider.”

Just because Mr. Braveboy is leaving Rider, that doesn’t mean he isn’t going to be there for his high school students anymore.

“I’m right next to Rider,” he said. “They can visit me [at Jefferson], not leave school and come see me, but if they need me, they can call and say that they need to talk to me. As long as it’s all about their education and their future, I’ll be there to support them in whatever. They can talk to me outside of school, and otherwise I can come up and visit with them if they’re having any problems that they would rather talk to me about. I’ll still be there for them.”

Braveboy said this is not an easy change for him.

“It’s just always very hard to leave a place that you’ve called home and become so comfortable with,” he said.

Braveboy said he’s proud to have been a part of Rider.

“I was just very happy to be associated with a school with such great name, academically and otherwise,” he said. “I always boast to my colleagues from the Caribbean about what a great school this is. I’m not even kidding. Just everything about Rider I’m going to miss.”