Livingston Public Schools (LPS) has announced that LPS social studies supervisor (7-12), Charles Raphael, has been selected to serve as Heritage Middle School’s (HMS) new assistant principal. The Board of Education approved this appointment during its July 16 public meeting.
Raphael will begin his new position on August 1. He is replacing Kristin Fullam, who will be leaving at the end of this month.
After earning a bachelor of arts degree in history from William Paterson University, Raphael earned a master of arts in educational leadership from Montclair State University.
Raphael has served as the district’s supervisor of social studies (7-12) since 2019. His responsibilities included supervising and mentoring a team of 22 social studies teachers, managing the social studies department budget, and collaborating with the pre-K-6 social studies supervisor to create listening sessions and provide teachers with resources to meet New Jersey state mandates.
During his tenure in the position, he has organized and facilitated two grade-level assemblies featuring speakers that included a Rwandan genocide survivor and a former Japanese-American WWII internee. He also led professional development (PD) sessions on topics such as project based learning, bias in AI, and the power of storytelling in the classroom.
Prior to being appointed as the district’s supervisor of social studies (7-12), Raphael was a social studies teacher at Livingston High School for nine years.
Regarding the appointment, HMS principal Shawn Kelly said, “Heritage Middle School is pleased to welcome a familiar face as its newest member of its administrative team. Charles Raphael, who has served as the 7-12 social studies supervisor for the past five years, will be making the transition to the assistant principal role starting this summer. His extensive knowledge and expertise in pedagogy and the background work that he has done within the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion will assist us in expanding upon the work that we have been doing in these areas over the past few years. Mr. Raphael’s patient and empathetic approach towards how he works with children will also help to ensure that he will serve as a positive role model for them in his new role. We are thrilled to welcome him to the HMS administrative team and school community.”
“Mr. Raphael brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in academics, and a desire to work at the building level directly with students and teachers,” said interim superintendent of schools Daniel Fishbein. “His background and expertise make him an excellent fit as the new assistant principal at HMS.”
“I am honored to be appointed as an assistant principal at Heritage Middle School,” Raphael said. “Livingston Public Schools has truly become a home for me over my career, and I am grateful to continue my journey of learning and growth with such a supportive and inspiring community. I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with our dedicated staff, students, and families to support academic excellence and personal growth for every student.”
LPS will immediately begin the search for a new social studies supervisor (7-12) for the district. The district hopes to appoint one before the start of the 2024-2025 school year.
