What do a messy desk, model trains, a football helmet, and a toilet have in common? All of these items are found in the office of Edison High School’s principal, Mr. Charles Ross. After 16 years of dedication and commitment, his journey at the school is coming to an end.
Ross comes from a lineage of leaders: His father was a school superintendent, and his grandfather was a bank president. In his office, their desk nameplates are proudly displayed.
“That’s my grandfather’s high school diploma from 1923. He went to the school where I was a vice principal,” said Ross, gesturing at the wall. “Probably my favorite thing in my office would be my father’s and my grandfather’s name plates from their desks. I honor these men, who were the men who taught me how to be a boss, how to be kind to people.”
Ross attended the McNair Academic High School in Jersey City before graduating from Rutgers with a Bachelor of Arts in History. Later, he earned a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from New Jersey City University. Early on, Ross worked as a security supervisor and then as a paralegal while considering law school.
“I worked at a law office, but I didn’t really like it,” said Ross. Instead, he found that his talent for teaching, combined with his passion for history, could be both purposeful and stable as a career path.
In 1994, Ross began his teaching career as a history teacher in East Orange, earning Teacher of the Year in 1998. He taught there for six years before being promoted to vice principal, a position he held for another decade. In 2010, Ross joined Edison High School, where he was appointed principal.
“You can get more out of the kids than you realize. Keep believing in the students, and push them to do a little more,” said Ross, when asked to advise his younger self. “Try to get them to learn as much as possible, get them to like learning, get them to believe that they can learn, get them to see their own potential.”
While Ross’s career can easily be measured in years and promotions, he determines his success by his students’ growth. He notes that test scores and AP enrollment have steadily improved, and more students are entering service academies.
“And to me, just the quality of the kids and their positivity is something that always matters to me,” he said.
Three decades after deciding to become an educator, Ross has built a lasting legacy in EHS—one in which each student plays an active role. On the right side, by the wall of his office, stands a gift: a golden toilet.
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Mr. Charles Ross stands at Edison High’s front doors, the place where he would greet students most mornings as they came off the buses and out of the parking lots. His morning greetings of “What will you do to be great today?” accompanied by a fist bump, were meant at encouragement each person entering the building.
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These shelves display cherished memorabilia, from gifts given by students and a picture with a former president Bill Clinton, to the nameplates of Ross’ role models—his father and grandfather.
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The “throne” sits in the corner of Ross’s office, a playful prank by the brothers Brian Gabriel ’17 and Steven Gabriel ’14.
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Among other items, model trains decorated the EHS principal’s office, reflecting a lifelong passion. Decorated by Edison art classes, each December the trains became part of the main lobby’s holiday display.
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Mr. Charles Ross, quoted in the 2015 edition of the Edison “Talon ” Yearbook, responds to that year’s theme, “Leave your mark.” Eagle Pride has been one Ross’ hallmarks throughout his 16-year tenure at EHS.
EHS TALON YEARBOOK
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Edison High’s Principal Mr. Charles Ross, responding to some of his many daily emails. Ross has strived to create a better environment within Edison High School by continually looking for ways to empower staff and students.
“Two students, the Gabriel Brothers, thought it would be funny to steal my chair and replace it with a throne because they said I’m the king of Edison High School, so I needed a throne,” said Ross. “So they made a red and gold toilet, and the best part is it’s green on the inside.”
Aside from harmless pranks, memorabilia representing some of his lifelong passions—football and trains—are placed around his room. Another one of his favorite pieces is a picture of himself with former President Bill Clinton, about which he playfully joked, “Now you know I’m taller than Bill.”
As per yearly tradition, Ross will assign his final summer reading list for the staff and any students who wish to participate. One book that he is currently reading and highly recommends is Gently Beyond Life or Death by martial artist and actor Jet Li. He is also reading Geography III by Elizabeth Bishop, a poetry collection by the author Elizabeth Bishop
“Reading is a major part of schooling, and if I want the staff to read, I have to read,” said Ross.
The nostalgic items in his office and the traditions Ross has created during his tenure point to something more–the history he wishes to be preserved in his absence.
“I would like to preserve the concept of what’s great about Edison High. There’s always something wrong when you have a big organization, a big school. Today, the air conditioner is broken. Last week, the elevator was broken,” said Ross. “If we focus on the wrong, then we bring the energy down. But if you go every day and try to find something that’s great in this place, you’ll see that there are so many different ways that our school is great. There are so many different ways that students are great. The teachers are great. And I hope the tradition that stays is when we finish meetings, we always talk about what’s great about Edison High. I hope that the staff and the students always maintain that positivity and look at what’s wonderful about this place.”