Riccobono: I Wanted to Impact Many Students as an Administrator (Video)

After 18 years as principal of , and spending 62 of his 69 years in schools, principal James Riccobono will be retiring at the end of this school year.

"You have to have a sense of humor and be able to see the humor in all matters, including the ability to laugh at yourself," he said as his words of wisdom from his career. "If you can't take a joke, get out of education."

Current Bernards High School principal will be serving as interim principal for the 2011-2012 school year.

Riccobono has had an illustrious career after receiving his bachelor's degree in history from Gettysburg College and his masters in educational administration from the Teachers College at Columbia University.

His career, Riccobono said, began at Kinnelon High School, where he worked for three years as a social studies teacher before going for his Ph.D in educational administration from the George Peabody College for Teachers at Vanderbilt University.

Riccobono also worked for three years as an assistant principal in Tennessee and 19 years as principal at Lenape Valley Regional High School in Stanhope before coming to Bridgewater.

And now, with his retirement, Riccobono said it will be about adjusting to life outside of a school.

"The most immediate plan is to adjust to not going to school each day," he said. "With the exception of the first five years of my life and two years serving in the United States Army, I have been a student, teacher or administrator for 62 of my 69 years."

"When I think of a year, I think from September to June," he added. "When I think of the time of the day, I think in terms of class periods."

Outside of the school system, Riccobono said, he is looking forward to traveling overseas with his family, devoting himself to his vegetable garden and returning to several pastimes he once enjoyed.

"I will continue to follow high school sports and will attend athletic contests on a regular basis," said Riccobono, who served as an athletic coach and was also president and executive director of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association in 1992 and 1993 respectively. "I also plan to revisit my youth experience as a piano player by taking lessons and advancing my playing competence."

But in his time at Bridgewater-Raritan, Riccobono said he has had many accomplishments, and is most proud of his efforts to instill the "BRHS Profile," which helps in running a well-organized and effective school. As a whole, he said, it promotes a personable and friendly atmosphere; structure and discipline; academic excellence; and a quality, diversified co-curricular program.

"Every parent wants the best for his or her child, and they would want their child to attend a quality high school," he said. "I would be proud to send my children to a school like Bridgewater-Raritan that promotes these qualities."

"The existence of these variables has created a well-organized and effectively run school," he added. "There exists a continuity of operation and a high level of trust and respect between the administration and the various stakeholders."

In addition to this, Riccobono said he is pleased about achieving the New Jersey Star School Award; achieving the National Blue Ribbon School Award; promoting the school's fine arts program; maintaining an enviable athletic program; and establishing the Bridgewater-Raritan Peer Mediation and Conflict Resolution Program.

Over the years, Riccobono said, he has recognized some regrets and disappointments among students that he feels he was unable to reach or who did not achieve to the extent he would have liked to see.

"There will always be the frustration you experience when you realize that you have not reached or impacted every student within your charge," he said. "You regret that there are students who, despite your best and most comprehensive effort, you just did not impact to the extent that you desired."

But despite that, Riccobono said, he is proud to have been part of the Bridgewater community and to work with the students.

"To be a successful administrator, you have to really like young people and like being around them," he said. "I do like young people and I like being around them."

"My collective view of BRHS students is that they are good, decent and caring individuals," he added. "I have always been proud of our Panther student body."