Pretzels with Justin: Interview with Vice Principal Nico

Written by: Justin McCarthy-Hill

Where did you work before you came to BPC as a teacher?

I worked in Jersey City, New Jersey; I taught Kindergarten and First Grade there, I taught freshmen at Sunset Park High School, and I taught middle schoolers at East Side Middle School.

What is your favorite part of your typical day?

Going into classrooms, seeing teachers, seeing kids.

What is one rule or principle that you follow as vice principal of our school?

Everything I do has to be about the kids. It’s all about what’s good for the kids.

Which staff members would you say you have the strongest professional relationships with or work closest with?

Principal Terri Ruyter.

What do you do for fun outside school?

I am now training for the marathon.

Can we cheer you on?

Yes, you can definitely cheer me on.

When students break a rule or commit an offense in school, what is the first thing you decide to do?

I talk to them, and see why.

How do you balance wanting the kids who committed an offense to get a second chance with the message that goes to the rest of the community about what behaviors are tolerated?

I think it’s hard, I want what’s best for everybody. You want to show the kids who made a mistake and a wrong choice that they can learn from those choices. But at the same time, I need to take care of all the other kids who might feel like that’s unfair. So in any situation, not all the sides are going to be completely happy with any outcome because it’s difficult, you know? There’s feelings involved, and people are really complicated, especially adolescents who are changing all the time. Great question.

Last question: Where do you see yourself in five years?

Umm… Hopefully still here. I like my job. Hopefully I’ll be Dr. Victorino by then.

Lastly, this interview sequence is called Pretzels with Justin, so I require you to have a pretzel.

Oh, great. Can I have more than one pretzel?

Yes, you can have more than one pretzel.

Thank you Justin, this was great.