Please join us in welcoming Kristen Massimo, MAEdL as the new Director of Special Services in Bound Brook School District. Learn more about her here: 

Tell us about your career and educational background. 

My teaching career began 20 years ago when I worked in a small school district in Northern Pennsylvania. I started in a special education classroom and knew I had found my place. In 2010, my family relocated to Flemington, New Jersey where I was fortunate to find employment in the Flemington-Raritan Schools. Throughout my career in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, I have worked in resource rooms, self-contained classrooms, in-class support settings, and pull-out service settings.   

My educational background consists of a bachelor’s degree from Wagner College on Staten Island, a Teaching Certificate from Alvernia University in Reading, PA, and my Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership from Thomas Edison State College. I am certified in Special Education and highly qualified in English, Social Studies and Mathematics. Additionally, I hold both my Supervisor and Principal certifications.   

After graduating from Thomas Edison State College, I had the chance to work as an Assistant Principal in Bernards Township Schools and then most recently, to serve as the Principal of The Midland School in North Branch.   

What attracted you to Bound Brook School District (BBSD)? 

I believe strongly in the power of education to change lives. I am a product of public education and know that there are tremendous opportunities afforded by hard work and excellent teaching. I wanted to be a part of that process and have always delighted in my students’ progress.   

Bound Brook, more specifically, is a wonderfully diverse community with dedicated professionals providing excellent education to students. Additionally, the community is close-knit and supportive. The staff has been so warm and welcoming! 

What is your vision for Special Services in BBSD? 

I am striving for an environment where the staff work in collaboration to meet the needs of the students. Our Child Study Team and teachers are extremely skilled and knowledgeable, and I want to create a network to support all the professionals as we move forward. We can be resources for and supportive of each other. Each of us possesses skills that can benefit the team and when we work together, we are significantly stronger for the students.   

How do you plan to collaborate to ensure the needs of students are met? 

I believe that we are in the business of people. We should all have the same goal: to make sure that the students are progressing, and their needs are met. With that in mind, and working together, we can ensure that all our students are moving in the right direction. It is essential to form partnerships with colleagues and parents to work as a team to get things accomplished. In my experience, those relationships are crucial to the success of the team, and the support of the students we serve.   

Are there any new trends or best practices in Special Services that you are excited about?   

We are always looking for opportunities to enhance learning for the students. We have wonderful technology available, and I am exploring new ways to put that to use. I am interested to see what Artificial Intelligence may bring to special education over the next few years. I believe it may open a lot of doors for students with various disabilities.   

Kristen Massimo lives in Flemington with her husband, Michael, and two children, Evelyn and Matthew. She enjoys cooking, reading, needlework, and music.