It’s finally her turn to say farewell; Carol Malouf will retire after watching countless students grow into adults

By: Lacey Korevec
   For Chief School Administrator Carol Malouf, the past 29 years have been an opportunity to work with children, watch them grow into young adults and make a difference in as many lives as possible.
   "Cranbury School has really been my second home, and working here has been a love and a vocation," she said. "I’ve never perceived it as a job."
   Now, Ms. Malouf is ready to retire and community members are preparing to celebrate her career and salute her for the lives she’s touched with a farewell reception on June 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the Cranbury School auditorium.
   The event, sponsored by the Cranbury School Parent Teacher Organization, is for adults only and will feature a speech by the school’s previous chief school administrator, Robert Bartoletti, PTO member Susan Mayes said. Ms. Malouf will also be presented with two gifts.
   "We felt that she should be honored accordingly because of the services she’s given, not only to Cranbury School but to children, education and the community," Ms. Mayes said.
   Ms. Malouf began her career at Cranbury School in 1978 as an upper grade English and literature teacher. In 1989, she became Cranbury School vice principal and director of curriculum and was made chief school administrator and principal in 2001 at a salary of $113,000. Ms. Malouf announced her retirement in June 2006. This year, she will earn $148,830.
   Although she is an administrator, Ms. Malouf said she has always seen herself as a teacher, which she decided to become when she was 10 years old.
   But now, Ms. Malouf feels her opportunities to work as vice principal and later chief school administrator have allowed her to reach beyond classroom walls to help mold the student body’s learning foundation.
   "I think that the various jobs I’ve had have allowed me to help more people than just the children I would have helped in the classroom," she said, adding she’s been fortunate to work with the school’s staff, faculty, PTO and administrators, as well as the Cranbury Board of Education. "My position is about crafting a vision of where the school will go and it really is gratifying to see how successful all of us have been on that journey."
   Being outside of the classroom has also allowed Ms. Malouf to be part of a larger number of students’ lives, she said.
   "I truly enjoyed watching children grow and mature and develop into fine citizens and, at this point around, I have now seen the children come into the building of people who have graduated many years ago and now are bringing their children here," she said. "And its gratifying and rewarding that they thought that Cranbury School was such a special place and that they want to share that with their own children."
   Ms. Mayes said the PTO is hoping to see approximately 100 community members show up to honor Ms. Malouf at the reception. The room will be decorated with flowers and there will be hors d’oeuvres, deserts, refreshment and live music performed by a professional pianist for guests’ enjoyment.
   "I think people would like to wish her well in her future endeavors and her retirement," Ms. Mayes said. "When you think of the school, you think of Carol. She’s been there for a very long time. She’s given her best to the school for nearly 30 years and people want to thank her for all the wonderful things she’s done."
   Ms. Malouf said she’s looking forward to the event, but with mixed emotions because it marks the beginning of her departure from the school. She said she’s thankful for the PTO for planning the reception and for the organization’s assistance throughout the years. She also wanted to thank the school board, students, parents and all of her co-workers for making her time at Cranbury School so special.
   "I only hope that somewhere along the line, I’ve made a difference for people," she said. "That was my goal in doing what I’m doing — just to make a difference for people."
   Invitations to the event have been mailed to parents of Cranbury School students. Those wishing to attend are asked to pay $25 per person to help cover the cost of the event and Ms. Malouf’s gifts.