As this is my first attempt at blogging, I thought an introduction would be a logical opening post.
Personal Life
I am 33 years old and have been happily married to my beautiful wife for over 8 years. She is also an administrator in New Jersey. We have two beautiful young boys, ages 2 and 4. We currently, and have for over 8 years, commute to our jobs in New Jersey from our home in the Poconos.
I am 33 years old and have been happily married to my beautiful wife for over 8 years. She is also an administrator in New Jersey. We have two beautiful young boys, ages 2 and 4. We currently, and have for over 8 years, commute to our jobs in New Jersey from our home in the Poconos.
Educational Background
My post-secondary educational journey began at Wilkes University, where I earned a BA in Criminology in 2003. Soon thereafter, I began my pursuit of a teaching certification and a Master's Degree. I earned an M.Ed. in Secondary Education for East Stroudsburg University in 2008. In pursuit of administrator certifications, I took two additional course at ESU in order to earn my Supervisor Certificate for the State of New Jersey. I then entered NJ Excel's Principal Certification program, which I completed in January 2013. I immediately entered NJ Excel's Superintendent certification program and earned my School Administrator certificate in February of 2014.
My post-secondary educational journey began at Wilkes University, where I earned a BA in Criminology in 2003. Soon thereafter, I began my pursuit of a teaching certification and a Master's Degree. I earned an M.Ed. in Secondary Education for East Stroudsburg University in 2008. In pursuit of administrator certifications, I took two additional course at ESU in order to earn my Supervisor Certificate for the State of New Jersey. I then entered NJ Excel's Principal Certification program, which I completed in January 2013. I immediately entered NJ Excel's Superintendent certification program and earned my School Administrator certificate in February of 2014.
Professional Experience Prior to Education
While still an undergraduate and immediately after graduating, I worked in various juvenile placement facilities. These facilities varied in function from mental health, to educational, to modeling juvenile detention facilities. These experiences are where my passion for working with children, particularly at-risk children, was born.
While still an undergraduate and immediately after graduating, I worked in various juvenile placement facilities. These facilities varied in function from mental health, to educational, to modeling juvenile detention facilities. These experiences are where my passion for working with children, particularly at-risk children, was born.
Experience in Education
My teaching career began as a building-based substitute in the East Orange School district. I remained a building-based sub for half of a year until I was able gain a teaching position in the district, which then required me to pursue alternate route certification. I absolutely loved working in the East Orange School District until, unfortunately, a Reduction in Force (RIF) forced me out of the district. My next teaching venture led me to the Fredon Township School, a small, rural K-6 school in Sussex County. Fredon created a position of a 5th and 6th grade only Social Studies teacher in the 2007-2008 school year. This was quite a cultural change from the urban high school district to which I had grown accustomed. This teaching venture ended quite quickly as the position they had created for me was then eliminated after only one school year.
My teaching career began as a building-based substitute in the East Orange School district. I remained a building-based sub for half of a year until I was able gain a teaching position in the district, which then required me to pursue alternate route certification. I absolutely loved working in the East Orange School District until, unfortunately, a Reduction in Force (RIF) forced me out of the district. My next teaching venture led me to the Fredon Township School, a small, rural K-6 school in Sussex County. Fredon created a position of a 5th and 6th grade only Social Studies teacher in the 2007-2008 school year. This was quite a cultural change from the urban high school district to which I had grown accustomed. This teaching venture ended quite quickly as the position they had created for me was then eliminated after only one school year.
At this point I had faced a RIF in two consecutive school years and was beginning to question whether education was the right field for me. As a result, I continued to apply to other school districts for Social Studies teaching positions, but at the same time, I began the process of putting my criminology degree to work and becoming a police officer. I made it through the written testing stage and then the physical testing stage to the point of earning an interview with the Stroud Area Regional Police. Soon after being offered this interview, I had interviewed and been offered a position in the Morris County Vocational School District. I gave teaching one more try and taught for four years at Morris Tech while coaching girls' varsity basketball the entire time and coaching boys' JV soccer for three of those four years.
The Journey into Educational Leadership
After four years of teaching at Morris Tech, I caught my big break. To me, it seemed like making the jump from teaching to administration would be impossible. When one goes on interviews for administration positions, most school districts are looking for someone with experience. If all school districts were to hold this same philosophy, then it would be impossible for anyone to move from teaching to administration. Fortunately for me, Sussex County Technical School was willing to take a risk on someone with administrative experience limited to the internship roles in which I served in addition to my many roles as a teacher-leader.
After four years of teaching at Morris Tech, I caught my big break. To me, it seemed like making the jump from teaching to administration would be impossible. When one goes on interviews for administration positions, most school districts are looking for someone with experience. If all school districts were to hold this same philosophy, then it would be impossible for anyone to move from teaching to administration. Fortunately for me, Sussex County Technical School was willing to take a risk on someone with administrative experience limited to the internship roles in which I served in addition to my many roles as a teacher-leader.
My first year at Sussex Tech was as a Supervisor of Humanities. I served in this administrative role in addition to teaching three sections of United States History I. While this role served as my means to break into administration, it was quite difficult to serve in a "slash" position while expecting to be an excellent administrator as well as an excellent teacher. Fortunately for me, Sussex Tech got a new Superintendent after my first year and he immediately removed me from the classroom and added two grade levels of student discipline to my duties.
While my current job title is Director of Curriculum and Instruction, my job responsibilities allow me to fulfill those of a vice principal, principal, Assistant Superintendent, and even Superintendent in some cases.
To view my resume, which includes more details of my experience and current roles/responsibilities email me.
Future Goals
It is my goal to continue my journey in educational leadership by striving to be the best Director of Curriculum and Instruction that I can be for myself and for my school. Along with this, it is my goal to move up in the administrative ranks in pursuit of my ultimate goal: district superintendent.
It is my goal to continue my journey in educational leadership by striving to be the best Director of Curriculum and Instruction that I can be for myself and for my school. Along with this, it is my goal to move up in the administrative ranks in pursuit of my ultimate goal: district superintendent.
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