August 7, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 5 Glen Rock Pepe named assistant principal at middle school by John Koster Brian Pepe, a Glen Rock resident, has been named assistant principal of the Glen Rock Middle School -- and is already at work preparing for the autumn term. The Glen Rock Board of Education announced Pepe’s appointment last month. He succeeded Brian Hutchinson, who had served as assistant principal since 2008. “Mr. Pepe surfaced as the top candidate in our search for a middle school assistant principal,” said Superinten- dent of Schools Dr. Paula Valenti. She added that he brings a well-rounded career experience to the Glen Rock Middle School, which currently serves 576 students in grades six through eight. Pepe grew up in Oradell and attended that district’s public schools. He attended Monmouth College on a four- year golf scholarship, and graduated with a degree in ele- mentary education and special education. He completed a master’s degree in educational leadership at Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2009 while he was teaching at Hackensack High School. He holds New Jersey certifi- cates as a principal and as a supervisor. Before he was hired in Glen Rock, Pepe had been employed by the Hackensack School District since 2005. Brian Pepe In Hackensack, he first served as a special education teacher for social studies and mathematics in the middle school. He moved to Hackensack High School in 2010 as a special education teacher for U.S. history, language learning, and behavioral disabilities. He was also the lead teacher for iPad and technology. Beginning in 2011, Pepe also served as special education supervisor/coordinator for Hackensack Academy for Student Success, an alternative high school. He has served as varsity golf coach for Ramapo High School and head coach for the freshman boys’ basketball team at his alma mater, River Dell High School. He and his wife Kelly have two children. “I’m delighted to be working in Glen Rock,” Pepe said last week. Meet & Greet planned The Glen Rock Middle School will host a Lemonade Social on Wednesday, Aug. 14 to introduce Pepe to stu- dents and parents. All middle school families are invited to join Superintendent Valenti and Principal Edward Thomp- son as they welcome Pepe to the district. The event will be held in the Glen Rock Middle School/High School Media Center from 12 to 2 p.m. The school is located at 600 Har- ristown Road in Glen Rock.