There is no requirement stating a principal in the Bridgeport school system has to have served as vice principal in the system already or have a lifelong background in the community. If such was the case, when July 1 rolls around Todd Rubenstein would not be the new principal of Simpson Elementary.

 

Rubenstein is currently serving as the vice principal at Nutter Fort Intermediate. He is a graduate of Grafton High School and began his collegiate career at Fairmont State College before earning his certificate of administration from Salem International College.

 

However, that does not mean Rubenstein does not have Bridgeport roots. In fact, he has quite a few and on more than one front.

 

Not only does he live in the Bridgeport school district, but he has plenty of background in the community. Ironically, that family is not only rooted in education, but one of his relatives just happens to be soon-to-be-new Johnson Elementary School principal Heather Holbert.

 

Rubenstein is married to Holbert’s cousin Johanna. Heather’s dad is John Horne and Johanna’s father is the Rev. Tom Horne. John and Tom are brothers, making Rubenstein and Holbert first cousins through marriage.

 

“Yes, we’re related and it’s nice to have family in the same position you’re in,” said Rubenstein. “I’m grateful to have someone in the family I can bounce things off us and, hopefully, I can return the favor to her if needed.”

 

Rubenstein has been in the position of an educator since starting his career in 2011. He taught health and physical education at West Fairmont Middle School. He went directly from that into administration as an assistant principal at the same school for two years. Before spending the last four at Nutter Fort as an assistant principal in Harrison County.

 

Rubenstein is married with five children. He has four boys aged 19 to 9 and a girl who will turn six next month. His school-aged children attend Bridgeport schools.

 

“First and foremost, my kids go to Bridgeport schools, which alone makes me invested in the community,” said Rubenstein. “Now, I’m going to be in the school system in which my kids attend. That was one of the reasons when the opportunity arose, I took advantage of it. I’m actually humbled by this opportunity to serve at Simpson.”

 

The opportunity arose when long-time Simpson Principal and educator Jill Steele announced her retirement. Rubenstein said he knows he is filling some big shoes.

 

“I know Jill and know she’s absolutely wonderful as a person and a principal,” said Rubenstein. “We’ve had conversations and she even encouraged me to seek out this opportunity.”

 

Rubenstein said he is looking forward to what he called “special moments” in education. He said that is result of great kids, families, and staff.

 

“That light bulb moment you see so often is why I do this, and it goes beyond reading, writing, and arithmetic. It’s also watching the kids in the community, your school and staff in the community and watching the staff manage their classrooms,” he said. “A teacher’s classroom is their kingdom and I want to help out each of those classrooms and am not the type who wants to take over a classroom. I’m her to help our staff out in any way I can to enhance the education of our students.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Todd Rubenstein at his desk at Nutter Fort Intermediate, while he is shown with Principal Hannah David, along with the Chick-fil-A mascot and the West Virginia University Mountaineer in a school function photo below.