Holmdel High School Welcomes Two New Assistant Principals STORY SUSAN MURPHY
H
olmdel Board of Education unanimously voted to approve Mrs. Michele England of Barnegat and Mr. Owen Bonner of Beachwood as assistant principals of Holmdel High School.
England, who fills a vacancy left by Mr. Kevin Bals, is a graduate of Monmouth University with a Bachelors Degree in Education. She holds a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Scranton. England began teaching at Lacey Township High School in 2004 as a math teacher and became Dean of Students in 2011. During her years at Lacey Township High School, England also served as Head Women’s Swimming Coach as well as an assistant coach for soccer and softball. England resides in Barnegat with her husband and daughter. Bonner, who fills a vacancy left by Mr. Richard Katz, is a graduate of Montclair State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He holds a Masters of Science in Educational Administration from the University of Scranton. Bonner taught social studies and was an administrative assistant at Colts Neck High School from 1998 to 2001. While there he also coached wrestling, football, and baseball. For the past 11 years, Bonner taught social studies at Central Regional High School in Bayville, where he also coached wrestling, football, and baseball, as well as supervising various activities until June 2012. Bonner resides in Bayville with his wife, son and daughter.
England’s duties will include attendance and discipline for grades 9 and 11; Bonner’s duties will include attendance and discipline for grades 10 and 12. England will be Supervisor of World Languages; while Bonner will be Supervisor of Business, Technology, and Television. 52
Community Magazine
Left to right: Mr. Owen Bonner and Mrs. Michele England were approved by the Holmdel Board of Education as the new assistant principals of Holmdel High School.
“I think we both hope to bring a lot of en- ent itself on a daily basis. The interactions of ergy to the position. We’ve got tough shoes students in all grades are important to both to fill in Mr. Katz and Mr. Bals and I think we of us and that is what we are going to try to both hope that Holmdel feels that we fill oversee, and we want to do a good job of them well,” said Bonner. “Speaking for my- communicating with each other in order to self,” added Bonner, “I am very excited to present a united front.” be here with Holmdel and I look forward to England and Bonner actually have a great school starting.” England agreed. “I think we both want to meet the students and de- deal in common. They both taught at high schools just minutes from one another prior velop a working relationship with them; get to know them and the staff and learn the cul- to taking their assistant principal positions at Holmdel High School. “Lacey and Central ture of Holmdel because that’s new to both of us.” Bonner smiled, “And to become Hol- High School are actually rivals,” said Bonner. “So, we came from rival high schools and we mdel Hornets.” both graduated from the high schools that As England and Bonner both started their we were working at beforehand.” England positions during the summer, there were no continued, “And, we both went to the Universtudents to meet and interact with. “We are sity of Scranton.” anxious to have the children present, and to Although Bonner started his position on meet the staff. Both of us have walked around July 1, he was approved by the Board of Eduthe school everyday and tried to meet some cation in February. “I had the opportunity to of the athletes and coaches and shake their hands. We want to get a solid base of stu- visit Holmdel on several occasions throughdents that we have met,” explained Bonner. out the spring, so I have an idea of what a day is like at Holmdel High School. And in shar“I think we both believe that being visible is very important in developing our new rela- ing my stories with Mrs. England, I think that tionships with the students, staff, and par- with both of us the anticipation is starting to build as we get closer to day one.” England ents.” said England. “Absolutely,” responded agreed, “It’s the excitement and anticipation Bonner. Both assistant principals will bring of the first day of school.” Both England and their own specific skills to their position, yet it Bonner are looking over school policies and was clearly apparent by the way they shared past practices to be well-prepared and bein this joint interview that they will definitely combine their skills to build one solid foun- come familiar with the ways of Holmdel High School. “We have all these skills and now we dation, which will in turn be beneficial to the want to put them into action,” concluded students. Bonner. “We have already started to work as a team,” Holmdel High School’s 2012-2013 school said Bonner. “We bounce things off each othyear began Wednesday, September 5. Visit er on a daily basis and just because we have www.holmdel.k12.nj.us to access more inforcertain grade levels that we are assigned to doesn’t mean that we won’t work together. mation about the high school. Our roles are defined, but we are a team,” Welcome to Holmdel Mrs. Michele Engemphasized England. Bonner agreed, “Hav- land and Mr. Owen Bonner! ing the ability to collaborate is going to pres-