Alice Opperman is filling in as the superintendent for Emerson Public Schools this month.
“For the month of January my goal as Acting Superintendent is to help keep everyone safe and our schools running smoothly, with students learning every day,” she said.
Oppemran is currently the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology in the district.
“In my director job, I have worked very closely with Dr. Nisonoff, sometimes filling in for him when he was not available,” she said. “The Board of Education asked me if I would fill in as Acting Superintendent just for the month of January (after Dr. Nisonoff retired and before Dr. Torrento is able to start here) and I said yes!”
Opperman graduated from Westfield High School and did an undergraduate degree in Biology at Brown University. Then, she completed a Master of Arts in Teaching program at Brown University before getting a job as a Biology Teacher. She went back to school again to Montclair State University to get a Masters in Educational Leadership. Shortly after that degree, she stepped into her current role in Emerson. She’s been the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology for 13 years.
Opperman has two children who attend Emerson schools. Her daughter, Ursula, is in grade 4, and her son, Dale, is in kindergarten.
“When I’m not at work I spend most of my time with them and with my husband, Dr. Chris Opperman, who is a musician and a professor, and our friends,” Opperman said. “The kids and I like baking things together and going on hikes and watching movies. I love reading books and am part of a book club that meets every month to discuss a new book. I also really love playing all different sorts of board games with my family and friends – we have probably over 100 games in our house!”
