Alicia Rissmiller - Principal of Roosevelt School

Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! I’m Alicia Rissmiller, entering my fifth year as principal of Roosevelt School and my 18th year in education. With a background in teaching and instructional leadership, I remain deeply committed to building an inclusive, student-centered environment where every learner is known, supported, and challenged to grow.

My career began as a Kindergarten teacher at Weston Elementary School, followed by several years teaching 2nd and 3rd grades. I’ve worked in co-teaching classrooms, supported multilingual learners, and collaborated closely with intervention and support teams. In 2018, I was honored as Weston’s Teacher of the Year.

As a lifelong member of the Manville community and a graduate of the Manville School District, it is incredibly meaningful to now serve the town that shaped my own educational journey. I continue to pursue leadership with the goal of making a wider impact and ensuring equitable learning opportunities for all students.

Over the past year, Roosevelt School has deepened its focus on academic growth, behavior supports, and school-wide engagement. We’ve enhanced our targeted interventions through morning ELA and Math tutoring, implementing high-impact tutoring within the Math class, and embedding small group instruction into both our ELA and Math blocks. Students also benefit from specialized support provided by our Reading Interventionist, and our staff is trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach, ensuring systematic, research-based instruction that supports all learners, especially those with reading difficulties. These efforts are supported by a more strategic use of data-driven practices to monitor progress and meet students where they are.  Our continued partnership with Rutgers and NJ PBSIS has led to an even stronger Roosevelt Road character education program, morning meetings, and a school climate that celebrates student success and promotes a sense of belonging.

Additionally, we’ve prioritized student voice, family partnerships, and community-building events—such as our Opening Day Ribbon Ceremony and End of Year Clap Out, our Roosevelt Road Rallys and NJSLA Pep Rally, and student-led service projects. This year, we look forward to continuing this work while introducing new opportunities for connection, creativity, and leadership.

Roosevelt School, built in 1929, is the home of Manville’s 3rd and 4th grade students. Our dedicated staff works collaboratively to support academic achievement, social-emotional growth, and a positive school experience for every child. As we begin this new school year, we remain focused on creating a welcoming and engaging learning environment that brings out the best in every student - Every Child Every Day!

Education and Certifications:

• B.A. in Family & Child Studies with a Concentration in Elementary Education – Montclair State University
• M.A. in Educational Leadership, Management, & Policy – Seton Hall University
• Standard Certificate: Elementary School Teacher in Grades K–5
• Standard Principal's Certification – State of New Jersey