'Engaged, connected, loved': New Middletown High principal on hand for students

MIDDLETOWN — As the incoming principal for Middletown High School, Nell Jean says his door is always open for any student who wants to talk.

With nearly 1,300 or so of them in 2024-25, he appears ready.

“A main focus we will have here at MHS is to make sure that every student feels engaged, connected, loved and cared for,” he said Thursday.

And, as for those who guide all those Cavaliers, Mr. Jean said, “it’s also important to make sure our staff feels supported and has the appropriate professional learning they need to be successful to make Middletown High School the best place to work.”

Another part of the equation is the parents.

Mr. Jean, who is entering his 23rd year in education, wants to ensure “they stay connected and engaged with MHS, for us to be able to use our families and community as an ally in the work we are doing.”

The 44-year-old was one of those parents in the spring, as his daughter, Kori Jean, graduated and will attend North Carolina A&T State University this fall.

“I had an opportunity to give her a hug as she crossed the stage,” he said. “That’s an excellent moment for a parent, and I hope every parent in our community will feel that pride.

“We want our students to cross that stage at the end, feeling they are prepared for life after Middletown High School.”

Mr. Jean also has a 4-year-old daughter, Imani Jean, and a 9-year-old son, Kyri Jean, who he’s raising with his wife, Paula Jean.

Family time is important, he added, with movie nights and staycations reenergizing him away from school.

His journey to education started early. Born in Haiti, Mr. Jean moved to New York City at age 9. He said he was inspired by teachers there to pursue the field, eventually graduating from Neumann University. He is also a member of the Delaware Math Coalition’s executive board.

“I still (remember) to this day those who helped me learn the (English) language that I’m currently speaking, that went that extra mile to make sure that I had a positive experience enough to become part of their teaching force, which is exactly what happened,” said Mr. Jean, who speaks Haitian Creole, as well.

Coming off a four-year stint as Middletown High’s assistant principal, he replaces Dr. Amanda Conley, now the Appoquinimink School District’s director of safety, security and operations.