“At Albert Einstein Academy, our vision is to foster an environment of uniqueness and belonging,” our mission statement reads. “Albert Einstein Academy is a welcoming and diverse district which provides a comprehensive and rigorous educational environment with resources, programing, and support for all students regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity.”

Dr. Bruce W. Thomas had a vision to create a school where everyone can feel welcome, and where no one student is treated differently than anyone else. Not only did he envision a safe school environment for his students, he cared abundantly about their futures.

In 2016, during an interview with Untapped Studios, Dr. Thomas said, “I think when kids leave here, they do believe in themselves and they believe in their ability to influence others, which I think is a great thing,”

Albert Einstein Academy’s beloved superintendent had been battling COVID-19 since early November 2020. He passed away on February 22, 2021. Dr. Thomas’s passing is not the end of his legacy.

In the letter sent out to AEA families and students written by his wife, Kristen Thomas, to notify the school’s families of his passing, she wrote, “Albert Einstein Academy was realized because of Bruce’s creativity, stubbornness, and sheer drive to give all students a place where they could feel safe and learn.”

Students and staff at our school were very fond of the late superintendent. Madison Brass, a senior at Albert Einstein Academy, had known Dr. Thomas for six years. She joined the school in her seventh grade year and has been a student at AEA since 2015. If Madison could describe Dr. Thomas in one word it would be “passionate.”

Principal at Albert Einstein Academy, Donald Bittala, would describe Dr. Thomas as a “titan.” Sharing about his late friend, Bittala said, “Dr. Thomas's vision lives on every day in the students and staff we have here at AEA. It is no secret that none of us would be here without him and moving forward this school and district are sticking around because of the legacy of his vision,”

Jill Parkinson, teacher and staff member at Albert Einstein Academy for over five years, has a lot of fond memories of the late Dr. Thomas. “I remember him teaching an elective to seniors and the great real-world connections he helped them make,” she said. “He was always someone I felt I could go to no matter what. Whether it was a school related issue or a ‘life thing,’ he would help in any case,” she added.

Albert Einstein Academy was Dr. Thomas’s pride and joy. He made an impact on so many people and was a friend to his students and staff. Losing our superintendent is a difficult loss, but it is a relief to know that he is no longer in pain. AEA will miss Dr. Thomas dearly and may he rest in peace and power.