Brett Curtis Named New Assistant Principal at Westfield High School

WESTFIELD, NJ — Brett Curtis has been hired as Westfield High School’s newest assistant principal, taking the place of James DeSarno , who left the position to become the district’s director of athletics/K-12 physical education and health supervisor.

Curtis started Aug. 1, according to the district, and the appointment was officially approved by the school board during its meeting Tuesday, Aug. 27.

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Curtis came to Westfield Public Schools in 2013 as a social studies teacher at the high school, a position he has held since, the district said. Over the past year, he participated in a field-based leadership internship during which his activities included co-founding a wellness council that is devoted to promoting staff wellness and community engagement at the high school, assisting in the preparation and implementation of state testing, developing master schedules and collaborating with department supervisors to craft fifth grade historical context lessons on the Holocaust for the historical fiction novel “Number the Stars.”

“Brett is joining us as a member of our teaching ranks and has demonstrated his desire to pursue leadership in his district,” Superintendent Dr. Raymond González said at the meeting. “I've had the opportunity to sit with Brett and really learn first-hand what possible opportunities that he sees available to him in his future, and seeing that alignment in our opportunities here was certainly a match made in heaven.”

“Mr. Curtis is highly regarded by his colleagues and administrators,” WHS Principal Mary Asfendis said in a statement. “I have observed and worked with Mr. Curtis throughout his time at Westfield High School and know him to be a professional, collaborative staff member who is driven to provide quality educational experiences while also supporting the whole student. He is driven and dependable and will be a great asset to our leadership team.”

Curtis, who also has served as coach of the freshman boys basketball team for the past nine years, earned Master of Arts degrees in Educational Leadership from Ramapo College and in Teaching from Monmouth University. He was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in History from Rutgers University in 2011.

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In 2018, he was given the PTSO Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award by the Westfield High School parent community. As a social studies educator who taught AP U.S. History, AP Government and Politics, and U.S. History I and II, he differentiated instruction according to student skill level.

“I've dedicated my entire professional career to the Westfield Public School district as a social studies teacher and as a basketball coach, the last 11 years," Curtis said at Monday's meeting. "Throughout this time, I've always prioritized students' needs, not only fostering a deep understanding of the curriculum, but cultivating essential life skills to help them succeed both academically and beyond Westfield High School.

“I'm excited to bring the same passion for student development that I had as a teacher to the role of assistant principal.”

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