Dr. Jean Schoenlank is the Principal of Ridge Elementary School in Ridgewood, NJ. Her entire career has been in Ridgewood, starting as a teaching assistant right out of college. Dr. Schoenlank taught 5th grade for many years at Ridge School while earning her Masters from Harvard and eventually earning her doctorate from Seton Hall. She worked as a staff developer in all the elementary schools for several years before becoming Assistant Principal at George Washington Middle School for one year. After that one year, Dr. Schoenlank was hiring as the Principal at Ridge where she has served for 15 years.
This past year, Dr. Schoenlank was bestowed the highest honor a staff member in the Ridgewood School District could receive, the Ashby Award. Education runs in the family as Dr. Schoenlank's mother was a teacher. She followed in her mother's footsteps and has built a tremendous career through hard work, dedication her staff, the power of collaboration, and the courage to lead. Her loyalty to her community is evident in the loyalty she receives in return. Dr. Schoenlank shares with us what her motivations, values, and experiences are, which helped shape the leader she is today.
