Union County Review

Tomeeko Hunt ’04 M.A. has a dynamic philosophy as principal of Leonard V. Moore Middle School in Roselle: think innovatively, decide boldly, and act quickly.

The career educator, who earned a master’s in educational administration from Kean in 2004, believes that’s the best way to meet the ever-changing needs of students and to seize life’s opportunities.

“As a new principal here two years ago, I told teachers I would never ask them to do anything I hadn’t tried or wasn’t willing to do with them,” said Hunt, who has established national student council, music and honor society chapters in Roselle and sent students to a Johns Hopkins University summer program. “I asked them to think outside the box with me, and if I jumped, to jump with me because if they didn't, we'd be talking about what we could have or should have done.”

Hunt has spent 26 years improving student and school performance across several districts in roles ranging from Title I supervisor to assistant principal. Formerly principal at Roselle’s Grace Wilday Junior High School, she was moved to Leonard V. Moore to boost academics, climate, and culture.

For her leadership in the 2022-2023 school year, Hunt was recognized with the national Inspire Award by Curriculum Associates, creator of the i-Ready platform for literacy, math, and assessment.

“We were able to improve overall scores on math and English language arts i-Ready diagnostic assessments by 170%,” said Hunt. She noted that the award has led to speaking engagements, enabling her to be a model for other educators. “All my students were able to move at least one to two grade levels above where they started.”

Sancha K. Gray, Ed.D., Kean’s senior vice president of entrepreneurial education initiatives (EEI), said she appreciates Hunt’s work incorporating Roselle’s high school into the Kean Scholar Academy—a dual credit program allowing students to earn college credits while simultaneously working toward their high school diploma.

“Tomeeko is a dedicated, seasoned educator who puts students first and creates innovative programming that provides multiple pathways for high school diploma completion and beyond,” said Gray. “Through Kean’s Division of EEI, we look to support innovative educators in furtherance of positive outcomes for all learners.”

Growing up in East Orange, Hunt said her mother encouraged her to explore beyond her hometown. She earned her bachelor’s degree in music education from Morgan State University in Baltimore while traveling globally as part of its historically Black college choir.

Returning to East Orange to teach, Hunt was soon encouraged by her principal to become an administrator. She studied at Kean because it provided onsite instruction in her district where groups of teachers were pursuing degrees.

Hunt recalled how tiring it was taking classes after a long day at school while simultaneously pursuing a certificate in middle-school math from Montclair State University but appreciated the practical approach her Kean professors brought.

Her expertise has impressed Roselle Schools Superintendent Nathan L. Fisher.

"Tomeeko's core focus is on fostering a dynamic learning environment,” he said. “She leverages her experience as an innovator to elevate a culture of continuous improvement while ensuring that every scholar within her school has the resources and support needed."

Reflecting on her career, Hunt said she grows by taking ownership of setbacks and cherishes achievements measured through student impact.

“Often my former students reach out with a ‘thank you,’ and that keeps me going,” Hunt said. “It reminds me why I do this.”