To support the students of Edison High School, new Assistant Principal Mr. Matthew Zapoticzny ‘96 accepted the role at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year in hopes of making change for the better.
Former Science teacher Zapoticzny, the newest addition to the EHS administrative team, has transitioned to his role following over 22 years of teaching in Chemistry and Physics. These years of experience taught “Zap” to work with students and form relationships while collaborating with principal Mr. Charles Ross along with the rest of the administrative team to help Edison High School live up to its district motto, “Nothing Less Than Excellence”.
“When we had only the three assistant principals, their workload was too much, so it’s afforded all of us to make more connections with our classes. That’s, I think, what’s going to change the building.” stated Zapoticzny.
After years of experience in Edison High School, Zapoticzny has built many relationships with staff and students. Due to his exposure to the high school atmosphere, he is able to empathize with the pressures on both teachers and students. Zapoticzny understands the demands of high school education and strives to aid and welcome the freshmen, the class of ‘28.
Zapoticnzy said that one of his greatest pleasures is watching the ninth graders begin their paths.
“I love seeing them grow up and mature into their full potential,” he said.
From always supporting his students to bringing life into the classroom to dressing up as Jesus of Halloween, Zapoticzny was well-known for many years for bringing comfort and acceptance to the classroom.
“He would go beyond when he was a teacher, so that was recognized, making him very deserving of the opportunity,” stated Katharine Kovalchuk ‘25, a former student.
When choosing who to pick for Assistant Principal, his welcoming demeanor, pride, and love for his past students helped Zapoticzny attain this position. Now, this contributes to the school by spreading help and positivity along with the general responsibilities that come with running a large high school in New Jersey.
Ross and his office colleagues have faced a demanding workload in recent years, but the addition of Zapoticzny will spread those demands out as the new hire takes on key responsibilities at EHS such as managing the Class of 2028, building security, Middle States, and teacher observations.
“[He is] someone who cares about students, someone who understands what good teaching is, someone who is calm and very intelligent, someone who works hard,” stated Ross.