New Jersey Department of Education

Terry Trigg-Scales
Principal
Northeast International School, 603 Grove Street, Montclair, NJ 07043
Category: Elementary Principal - Northern Region

Ms. Trigg-Scales, the principal of Montclair’s Northeast International School since 1992, has for nearly 30 years been a teacher and administrator in Montclair.

Northeast International School is unique. A United Nations magnet school peace site, it’s 360 kindergarten through 5th graders come from 40 countries. The philosophy of the school includes the acceptance, tolerance, appreciation, and celebration of the diversity of the world’s citizens. Ms. Trigg-Scales promotes this goal by means of a Mini-United Nations (in its ninth year and a Best Practices model) and through grade level study of the cultures of six continents.

Teachers at Northeast meet frequently with Ms. Trigg-Scales to discuss the curriculum and also to discuss concerns about students. Those who know Ms. Trigg-Scales also know that she knows each student by name and visits all the school’s classrooms every day.

Northeast is among the top performing schools on standardized tests in the district. Among the innovations introduced by Ms. Trigg-Scales are an accelerated reader book club and Family of the Week in which families have an opportunity to share customs, cultures, hobbies, occupations, or anything they choose. Also, Parents as Partners Ñ a school and PTA objective - has increased parental involvement in the last three years. Students are exposed to career and business opportunities through JOBS (Junior Occupational Business Skills) in which business and community leaders visit the school on Fridays. Some of the JOBS are International Bank. International Court of Justice, the International Market, etc.

Under Ms. Trigg Scales, Northeast has set the standard for excellence. The school fills 100% of its first choice spots. It also has a higher attendance rate than most schools, both for students and staff.

She has been described by teachers, parents and concerned community members as a principal who has a commanding knowledge of New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards and who is skilled at aligning her school toward those standards. Northeast is known as the school that has produced results. Ms. Trigg-Scales has, among other things, established a Chinese Mandarin class in the school, established a STARS assessment program, implemented a new science curriculum, organized parents-as-partners, and established the district’s first website.

Dr. Michael Osnato, Superintendent of the Montclair Schools, said of Ms. Trigg-Scales, "She has a commanding knowledge of the New Jersey Core Curriculum Standards. It is truly remarkable to see her leadership blend the State of New Jersey’s thrust for social emotional learning with high academic standards."

Ms. Trigg-Scales has done this while overseeing a major construction initiative, at all times remaining focused on the potential of the children, not limitations.