As the school year draws to a close, a relaxed energy begins to settle over Tenafly. Students and teachers alike are trading sweaters for T-shirts, chugging allergy meds, and soaking in the first signs of summer. But while most schools are winding down, one is buzzing with anticipation—not for vacation, but for a fresh start. This August, Ralph S. Maugham Elementary School will welcome a new chapter with the arrival of its incoming principal, Mrs. Esther Loor.
Mrs. Loor is no stranger to Tenafly. From 2014 until the pandemic year of 2020, she taught kindergarten, first, third, and fifth grade at Mackay Elementary School. Returning to the Tenafly school district now as a principal, she describes this moment as “coming full circle”—a journey she’s excited to begin.
A proud alumna of Rutgers University, Mrs. Loor earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology before pursuing a Master’s in Elementary Education at the Rutgers Graduate School of Education, specializing in literacy. She began her teaching career at Milltown Primary School in Bridgewater, NJ, and she later became assistant principal for Westwood Regional’s elementary schools from 2020 to 2022.
She is currently the principal at Franklin Elementary School in Summit, New Jersey. With over 20 years of experience in education, Mrs. Loor brings a deep commitment to building strong academic foundations in the early years and fostering a learning environment grounded in diversity, equity, and inclusion—a perspective shaped by her experiences moving around the country as a child.
Beyond her classroom and leadership experience, Mrs. Loor is also well-versed in curriculum development, STEM instruction, data analysis, and the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). According to the Tenafly Board of Education, she’s a passionate advocate for evidence-based practices. In fact, she recently published an article in the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association’s Educational Viewpoints titled “Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice in Data-Informed Instruction Through MTSS.”
According to PBIS Rewards, MTSS is a framework used by schools to provide tailored academic and behavioral support to students, particularly those who may need extra help. With three tiers of increasing support, it ensures that every student receives the resources they need to thrive. Under Mrs. Loor’s leadership at Franklin Elementary, MTSS was implemented in a two-year study that led to measurable improvements in student performance and state test scores. As she puts it, “Our ‘why’ should always be about the students.”
With open arms and high hopes, Tenafly is ready to welcome Mrs. Loor home. We’re confident that the students at Maugham will come to love her even more than they already do.
