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The Newark Board of Schooling has introduced the appointment of eight new principals who deliver years of expertise working in different district roles to their new positions.
District leaders tapped former vice principals and a supervisor for the Workplace of Particular Schooling to guide seven elementary faculties and a highschool for the upcoming faculty yr. Seven of the brand new principals this fall are girls, and most deliver data of the colleges they’ll lead this yr.
Mixed, the brand new principals deliver many years of expertise with the bulk beginning their careers as district academics earlier than transitioning into administrative positions.
The announcement of veteran leaders indicators a change from earlier years when district officers ousted and demoted first-year heads and positioned Newark’s assist of faculty directors underneath scrutiny. The reorganization of leaders additionally continues Superintendent Roger León’s efforts to create teacher-to-leader pipelines and elevate individuals of coloration into principal roles.
The brand new principals “exemplify how management and studying are inseparable,” mentioned León in a district press launch on Monday. The appointees had been promoted internally “after going by means of a rigorous interview course of, affirming their suitability for his or her new roles,” added Board President Hasani Council within the launch.
The varsity leaders should additionally work to create inclusive areas, as they work in a district the place Latino and Black college students make up greater than 90% of the coed physique.
District promotes eight new leaders to helm Newark faculties
At the highschool degree, former Arts Excessive College vice principal Regina Sharpe will change principal Devonne De Nostril who took the position in 2021. Sharpe earned a bachelor of arts in political science at Rutgers College and a grasp’s of arts in administration and supervision at Saint Peter’s Faculty. Beforehand, she was a instructor at Dr. William H. Horton.
Robin L. Williams will lead Belmont Runyon College and change principal Dr. Deneen Washington, a 25-year veteran of the district who began her profession as an elementary instructor in 1998. Williams was the vice principal at Peshine Avenue College for grades 3-5 and a Newark Public Faculties graduate. She earned a bachelor of arts in historical past from New Jersey Metropolis College and a grasp’s of science in schooling from Capella College. She taught social research at Malcolm X Shabazz Excessive College, grew to become the division chairperson, and later the vice principal of curriculum and instruction on the faculty.
This fall, the district will open Department Brook Elementary College and enroll college students in pre-Okay to second grade and broaden one grade degree the yr after, in keeping with March’s funds listening to. Cristina Pennetti will lead the varsity and convey her expertise working as a supervisor for the district’s workplace of particular schooling since 2011. She earned a bachelor of arts in psychology from the Faculty of Saint Elizabeth, adopted by a grasp’s of arts in instructor of the handicapped excessive incidence disabilities from Kean College. She additionally obtained certifications as a studying disabilities instructor guide and supervisor from Kean.
Neysa Miranda will change Rosa Branco as principal at First Avenue this fall. Branco was promoted to assistant superintendent of the North Ward College Management Staff final month. Miranda was a vice principal at First Avenue College and with over 23 years of expertise, she held varied district positions together with instructor at McKinley Elementary College and literacy coach at Chancellor Avenue College. She earned a bachelor of arts in psychology and schooling from Drew College and a grasp’s of arts in academic management from Montclair State College.
Robert Spat will lead Franklin College subsequent faculty yr and depart his place as vice principal at Rafael Hernandez Elementary College. He’ll change Amy Panitch who will depart her position to guide one other district elementary faculty. Apart from his position at Rafael Hernandez, Spat additionally labored as an English language arts instructor for roughly 10 years within the district.
Mount Vernon College will welcome Serenia Farrell subsequent faculty yr, a former vice principal at Louis Spencer Elementary College. She replaces Camille Findley-Browne, who first led the varsity in 2019. Farrell holds over 20 years of academic expertise with expertise working as a instructor, instructor aide, and substitute instructor. She earned a bachelor’s diploma in communications with a minor in African American Research from Ramapo Faculty of New Jersey and a instructor certification from Kean College. She additionally earned a grasp’s of arts in academic management from the Faculty of St. Elizabeth.
Amy Panitch will depart her principal place at Franklin College to switch principal Sylvia Esteves at Park Elementary College. Esteves was promoted to assistant superintendent of instructing and studying final month. Panitch began her profession at Franklin as a 3rd and fourth grade instructor and rose to the extent of vice principal after working as an educational coach. She earned a bachelor’s diploma from the College of Pennsylvania and a grasp’s of arts in instructing at Montclair State College and a second grasp’s diploma in academic management.
Liana Rodriguez will lead Salomé Ureña Elementary College this fall and change principal Daniella Alvarez, who was appointed to the position final yr. Rodriguez was the vice principal at Roberto Clemente Elementary College and started her profession with the district on the workplace of early childhood. She earned a bachelor’s diploma in psychology and obtained her early childhood certification. She holds a grasp’s of arts in academic management from Montclair State College.
Jessie Gómez is a reporter for Chalkbeat Newark, masking public schooling within the metropolis. Contact Jessie at jgomez@chalkbeat.org.
