A Fond Farewell to Dr. Artiles

By BRITTNI LEVINE and TESS SILVERMAN

On a sweltering day in August, a daunting email came into Jericho families’ inboxes: after 8 years as Jericho High School’s assistant principal, Dr. Artiles was leaving to become the principal at New Rochelle High School. 

The community was very surprised. Jericho High School junior James R. said, “I was shocked to hear the news that Dr. Artiles was leaving. He was an amazing assistant principal who brought so much spirit to Jericho.”

Dr. Artiles never thought he was going to leave Jericho, and the only other district he would consider was New Rochelle. “I have always said the only school I would ever leave Jericho for would be New Rochelle,” he said. And since the New Rochelle district had recently seen some difficult times, Dr. Artiles felt a responsibility as a community member to help.

When Dr. Artiles started at Jericho in 2013, he was excited but extremely nervous. The community knows him as a person who goes out of his way to connect with every parent, student, and colleague on a personal level, but this wasn’t always his forte. He said, “When I got to Jericho, I sort of knew all the technical stuff about education and teaching, but I was lacking in the department of relationships.”

One of the most influential people who helped him become the person he is today was his mentor throughout his years at Jericho, Dr. Smith. “Dr. Smith was a catalyst in creating a safe space for me to be myself,” said Dr. Artiles.

After leaving Jericho, Dr. Artiles remains in contact with his colleagues. He said, “It’s nice to know I always have family across the bridge.”

Co-principal of Jericho High School Mr. Cohen said, “It’s often that I will send Dr. Artiles a text message. Sometimes it’s because I had something really cool to eat and I want to share it with him, sometimes it’s to share some love, and sometimes it’s to rub it in that he’s not here with us at Jericho anymore.”

Dr. Artiles is missed by many at Jericho High School, but everyone is excited for the new chapter before him. Dr. Behr said, “We are so happy for him to have this opportunity. Of course it is bittersweet because we miss him terribly, but he was excited to take a principal position and work in New Rochelle, his home town.”