By: Richard L. Smith
For the start of the 2025-2026 school year in NJ, I had the privilege of sitting down with Principal Shakeena Hill-Simpson, a woman whose story and passion for education left me deeply inspired. 
What struck me most was not just her journey from teacher to administrator, but the way she carries this school in her heart, speaking of Union Avenue Middle School in Irvington Township as if it were her extended family.
Walking through the halls with her in mid-September, I honestly could feel what she meant.
The energy was unmistakable, as students returned eager to learn, staff moved with purpose, and an atmosphere of respect seemed to flow naturally throughout the building. 
Working in NJ education as a classroom teacher for 25 years, I know that doesn’t just happen on its own. It’s a reflection of leadership that values people, relationships, and structure all at once.
Her tactics are far from an "I 'gotcha' school administration moment" since we know that some NJ admins just can't find their way adjusting a second while moving away from the ‘playbook’.
During this 45-minute interview, I learned that Principal Simpson’s roots run deep in this district.
From her start as a math teacher to her years of service as an assistant principal and interim leader in schools across Irvington, she has built a foundation of experience that now shapes her vision for Union Avenue.
Her leadership style is a blend of rigor and care, setting high expectations while ensuring that teachers are never left alone in the process.
She talks about walking classrooms, modeling what works, and creating a culture where feedback is not punishment but a pathway to growth.
What touched me most was her belief in teamwork. At the start of the school year, she handed every staff member a piece of a jigsaw puzzle, each piece representing the vital role they play in student success.
“One person alone cannot complete the picture,” Principal Shakeena Hill-Simpson
That message is lived out daily, in collaborative planning sessions, peer classroom visits, and the shared responsibility of lifting every child higher.
She's also a community builder. Before the first bell rang this year, Principal Simpson-Hill hosted a meet-and-greet in August, opening the doors to parents, neighbors, and even local council members.
Families came not only to meet their new principal but to see firsthand the partnership she was ready to build. She has a simple but powerful philosophy: schools are strongest when they belong to the community they serve.
And in Irvington, that belief has never been more important. Superintendent Dr. April Vauss has championed transitions like these, supporting new leaders who carry forward the township’s commitment to both academic growth and community engagement.
Union Avenue is proof of that vision.
I left my conversation with Principal Hill-Simpson thinking about how leadership in schools often mirrors the values of the community around them.
In Irvington, where togetherness defines so many families, it is fitting to see those same qualities guiding a middle school of over 700 of our children.
Yup, her goals are bold: strengthening math performance, elevating language learners, expanding after-school opportunities, and ensuring every child feels safe, nurtured, and seen.
But no, I never got from this interview, where Principal Hill-Simpson was chasing numbers alone. I noticed that she is building a culture where children walk through the doors knowing they are cared for, and where teachers know they are supported.
That's what we do, or in my case, did as educators or school leaders.
In her words and her actions, Principal Shakeena Hill-Simpson is showing us that when schools rise together with respect, resilience, and results, entire communities rise as well.
