There’s a new administrative team in charge at West Essex, but the faces are all familiar: Dr. Kimberly Westervelt took the reins as principal this school year, working with new administrator Amanda Fernicola and experienced veteran Juliann Hoebee as assistant principals. All three of them said they’re excited to work together to create a welcoming environment for students, and all three value building connections with students and watching them blossom.
Dr. Westervelt, who started her educational career 21 years ago, said that the experience of working with an administrative team made up of all women is an especially rare opportunity.
“Although it is typically a female-driven profession, you don’t often see female leaders,” Dr. Westervelt said. “But now … we’ve come a long way, so this shows that we’re here and we are doing it.”
The Wire sat down with Dr. Westervelt, Hoebee and Fernicola to ask some fun, rapid-fire questions. Here’s what you didn’t know about the high school’s new admin team:
Favorite food?
- Westervelt: Pizza
- Fernicola: Chicken parm
- Hoebee: Pizza
Starbucks or Dunkin?
- Westervelt: Neither – doesn’t drink coffee
- Fernicola: Starbucks
- Hoebee: 7-Eleven
Favorite color?
- Westervelt: pink
- Fernicola: pink
- Hoebee: blue
Biggest pet peeve?
- Westervelt: shuffling feet when walking
- Fernicola: loud gum-chewing
- Hoebee: bad table manners
Favorite music?
- Westervelt: ’90s hip hop
- Fernicola: Country music
- Hoebee: Taylor Swift and Demi Lovato
Favorite movie?
- Westervelt: “Dirty Dancing”
- Fernicola: “Elf”
- Hoebee: “Willy Wonka”
Favorite show?
- Westervelt: “Heart of Dixie”
- Fernicola: “90210”
- Hoebee: “Pretty Little Liars”
Favorite school subject?
- Westervelt: Math
- Fernicola: History
- Hoebee: History
Favorite holiday?
- Westervelt: Halloween
- Fernicola: Christmas
- Hoebee: Christmas
High school sport?
- Westervelt: Cheerleading
- Fernicola: Marching band
- Hoebee: Basketball and softball
