Nicole Ridens has been named as assistant principal for Hamilton Heights Middle School (HHMS), effective July 2021, after being officially approved by the school board last month. Ridens, who has been serving as the interim assistant principal since September, has been well received and proven to be an excellent fit.
“Mrs. Ridens quickly earned the respect of her colleagues and parents as a science teacher who deeply cares about students,” HHMS Principal Bret Bailey said. “She brings great experience as an administrator, knowledge of the teaching profession, and compassion to her work every day. Her transition into the interim assistant principal role last semester was extremely smooth, and she has instantly made a positive difference at HHMS for both students and staff. She builds constructive relationships with students, communicates well with families, and listens attentively to staff. We are thrilled to add her to our administrative team next year as we work together to help all students become the best version of themselves.”
Ridens
Ridens began her career in education as a classroom teacher, and over the past 20 years has had the opportunities to transition between teaching and administration at four different school systems. After earning her administrator’s license in 2007, she served as the Assistant Principal at Tri-Central Elementary School from 2008 to 2013. She returned to the classroom with a transition to Clinton Central Schools in 2013 to 2019 prior to being hired as the eighth-grade science teacher at Hamilton Heights Middle School.
Ridens said her teaching and administrative experiences at Tri-Central and Clinton Central prepared her for this unexpected opportunity.
“I really enjoyed working at Tri-Central and Clinton Central but wanted to continue my teaching career at Hamilton Heights because of its long-standing commitment to education excellence and the district’s supportive community,” she recalled. “That opportunity presented itself when educator and former eighth-grade science teacher, Terry Reed, retired. It’s been everything I thought it would be and more. The students, staff, administration, and community have been welcoming and wonderful.”
Ridens has a philosophy of helping wherever she can, and it’s earned her a respected reputation in her role as a teacher and administrator at Heights.
“I hope to be a resource for all members of the community so that we can work together to support each child that comes through our school as they strive to become the best version of themselves and prepared for success in high school,” she explained. “I am thankful for and appreciative of the opportunity to be here.”
“I really love what I am doing,” she added. “I am excited to be in our new building, adding the fifth grade, creating new initiatives that will have a long-term positive impact on student development, and for the plans underway that will really blossom in the year ahead.”
Ridens is a native of Kokomo and lives outside of Kempton. She is married and has three children.