When it comes to relating to his students, new Cornwall Elementary School principal Robert German (pronounced Hermann) prefers to get to know them on a personal level. He takes the time to learn about their interests as he builds bonds between them.
“If a student is struggling and needs that extra support, knowing them like that helps with whatever needs they might have,” said German, who was hired in May to succeed Lauren Donohue.
German enjoys walking the halls and visiting classrooms on a daily basis to see how everyone is doing. When it comes to discipline, he considers himself a good listener and pretty even keeled.
“I like to listen to everyone and hear them out before I make any rash decisions.”
German received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from St. John’s University. He also holds master’s degrees in childhood education and school leadership.
Upon graduating from St. John’s, German started working with college students. As a counselor, he helped students, from low socioeconomic backgrounds, get into college. After receiving his teaching license, German decided he wanted to have a bigger impact on kids who were younger.
He started his career as a teacher in the South Bronx, educating students in grades two through five. He then made the transition into administration, moving to an elementary school in the North Bronx.
“As a principal and building leader you can impact more students as opposed to a teacher. I wanted to take that leap so I could impact more students.”
Before accepting the position in Cornwall, German served as principal in the South Bronx for the last four years.
“I was looking for a different challenge,” German said of the move. “It came down to trying to do something different with regards to moving students. Cornwall presented a very unique challenge that I was really willing to take on.”
The new job will also allow German to spend more time with his family. A Monroe resident, German has been married for 12 years. He and his wife have two children, a son who is 8, and a daughter who is 10-years-old. His daughter is a cheerleader for Pop Warner and his son plays football, soccer, and baseball. German is both a baseball and football coach.
What German will do differently remains a mystery, at least for the first couple of months on the job. He indicated a desire to introduce fresh new ideas, within the framework of what’s already been established, all while continuing the success the school has realized in the past.
To be fair to the process, German said he wants to have more conversations with the teachers and staff before figuring out what the school’s needs are.