NJPSA/FEA Board of Directors

Principal, Neptune High School

Dr. Arlene M. Rogo is beginning her 38th year as a New Jersey Educator. She is currently Principal of Neptune High School. During her 26 years in Neptune, she also served as principal of Neptune Middle School for four years, principal of Summerfield Elementary School for 16 years, and Principal of Midtown Community Elementary School for six years. In 2012, MCES, a Platinum LEED School became one of the first Green Ribbon Schools designated by the U.S. Department of Education. Dr. Rogo began her career in Bergen County as a teacher in middle school and high school, and then gained administrative experience as a high school grade administrator, a middle school department chairperson and K-8 curriculum supervisor, and as a K-8 vice principal. Dr. Rogo is also a coordinator of the Monmouth County Elementary/Middle School Administrators Association.

Principal, Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School, Jersey City

Thomas Macagnano is beginning his 26th year as an educator for the Jersey City Public Schools District. He has served as an ELA teacher, assistant principal, elementary principal, director, and is currently the proud principal of Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School (his alma mater). Thomas is also the President of the Administrators and Supervisors Association of Jersey City, the coordinator of the Hudson County association, and a field representative for NJPSA.

Principal, Lovell J. Honiss School

Dr. Karen Beckford-Bennett has been an accomplished New Jersey Educator for 29 years, and has spent the last 17 years as Principal of Lovell J. Honiss School in Dumont, New Jersey. She joined the Dumont School District in 2002 serving as the vice-principal of Honiss School before moving into the principalship. Her prior administrative experience was in the Englewood School district where she served as a school facilitator / vice-principal. Prior to becoming an administrator, Karen’s teaching career began in the Teaneck Public Schools where she taught for 10 years at both the elementary (grades 3 and 4) and the middle school level (math and science - grade 6). She is currently the co-chair of the Dumont Administrators and Supervisors Association. Dr. Bennett earned her BA in Elementary Education from the University of Pennsylvania, her MA in Administration and Supervision from Bank Street College of Education, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Organizational Management from the University of Pennsylvania. She is a recent recipient of the Bergen County Excellence in Education Award. Dr. Bennett is passionate about curriculum and instruction, issues of equity and closing the achievement gaps.

Principal, East Brunswick High School

Dr. Michael Vinella has worked in East Brunswick Public Schools for 24 years and is entering his eighth year as EBHS principal. Dr. Vinella holds a B.A. in Economics from Rutgers University, a M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision from Kean University, and a Ph.D. in K-12 Educational Leadership from Walden University. He holds certificates as Teacher of Social Studies, Supervisor, Principal and Chief School Administrator. During his time in East Brunswick he has held positions as Social Studies teacher, Assistant Principal at EBHS, Supervisor of Staff Development/Grants/Testing and Supervisor of Social Studies. Dr. Vinella has also served on several local, county, state and national committees with the most recent being the NASSP Student Leadership Advisory Committee, NJPSA/NJASA Joint Committee on Educator Evaluation and Graduation Requirements, and the NJDOE Principals Practice Pilot.

Assistant Principal, Pinelands Regional Jr. High School
Term: 2022 - 2025
Kimberly Lynn Clark, Ed.D. is a practitioner-researcher, who currently works at Pinelands Regional, a 7-12 public school district in New Jersey, as an assistant principal. In addition to her building-level responsibilities, she is the district supervisor of several departments including English-as-a-second-language, special education, and gifted and talented education. As a researcher, Dr. Clark focuses on the topics of educational leadership, leadership development, feminist theory, gender performance, and nontraditional administrative preparation.

Principal, Nicolaus Copernicus School
Term: 2022 - 2025
Diane Pistilli is the Principal of Nicolaus Copernicus School in Jersey City. She has 42 years of educational experience. Her professional experiences include teacher, guidance counselor, Asst. Principal and Principal. Diane Pistilli served as the Past President of the Administrators Supervisors Association of Jersey City and was on the Executive Board of ASA JC for over 10 years.

Principal, Cumberland Regional High School
Term: 2020 - 2023

Ralph Aiello is the New Jersey State representative to the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the principal of Cumberland Regional High School in Cumberland County, New Jersey, a position he has held for going on seven years after previously serving as Assistant Principal for eight years. As principal, Aiello puts a strong emphasis on preparing his young assistant principals to lead their own building one day. During his time in administration, Aiello has served as president of his local association, as a council member of the New Jersey Principal and Supervisor Association (NJPSA), NJPSA treasurer, NJPSA VP, and in 2017-2018 as NJPSA president. Aiello also was the New Jersey Assistant Principal of the Year in 2013. Aiello holds two bachelor’s degrees in elementary education and historical studies from Stockton University and his master’s in leadership from Wilmington University.

Principal, Carl H. Kumpf Middle School, Clark
Term: 2021 - 2024
Rick Delmonaco has worked in the Clark Public Schools for twenty-four years, currently serving as principal of Carl H. Kumpf Middle School. He has worked at the Elementary, Middle and High School levels as a teacher and administrator. Rick has been an administrator for seventeen years and a principal for sixteen years at both the High School and Middle School levels. During his teaching time, Mr. Delmonaco taught Fifth Grade, Middle School Science, Math, and Language Arts. He has served as a member of the NJPSA Legislative Council and the Elementary-Middle-Secondary Committee. Rick holds a Bachelor of Accountancy degree from the George Washington University and Masters in Educational Leadership from Kean University.

Acting Superintendent, North Warren Regional Schools
Term: 2022 - 2025
Dr. Dutt currently serves as the Acting Superintendent at North Warren Regional School District in Blairstown, NJ. Dr. Dutt started her career teaching Spanish in the Phillipsburg School District before being promoted to Director of Curriculum. After spending 3 years in this role, she accepted the position of Principal at Lopatcong Township Middle School. After 6 years in the Lopatcong School District, she accepted the Principal position in the North Warren Regional School District. Since earning her Ed.D at Centenary University in 2019, Dr. Dutt has taken on multiple leadership positions. She is a mentor in NJL2L and NJEXCEL, is the president of the Warren-Hunterdon PSA, and co-founder of the Warren-Hunterdon Women In Educational Leadership group. She is also a Certified Trainer and Coach for Becoming Your Best Global Leadership.

Principal, Colts Neck High School
Term: 2022 - 2025
Dr. Donahue has worked in the Freehold Regional High School District for 25 years and is entering his sixth year as Principal of Colts Neck High School. Prior to leading Colts Neck High School, Dr. Donahue has served as a Social Studies Teacher, Athletic Director, and Assistant Principal at several high schools within the Freehold Regional High School District. He currently serves as Vice President of the Freehold Regional Principals Association. Dr. Donahue has been active in NJPSA as a member of the representative council, a contributor to Educational Viewpoints and as a presenter at the Fall Conference.

Principal, Matawan Regional High School
Term: 2020 - 2023
Aaron S. Eyler has been the Principal of Matawan Regional High School, located in Monmouth County, since July 2018. Prior to his current position, he was an Assistant Principal at Piscataway High School (August 2012-October 2015) and Principal of Matawan-Aberdeen Middle School (October 2015-June 2018). In addition to his regular duties, he serves as the President of the Matawan Regional Administrators Association and the district's "School Safety Specialist." An active member of NJPSA, he sits on the Legislative Committee, Special Education Committee, and Council. For more information about Mr. Eyler, please visit his biography page.

Principal, West Deptford High School
Term: 2022 - 2025
Brian C. Gismondi has worked in public education for 25 years. He served as a teacher of music in New Jersey and Delaware. For the past 20 years, Dr. Gismondi has served as an assistant principal, as well as, a principal of elementary, middle and high schools. He currently and proudly serves as the West Deptford High School Principal. He is the President of his Local School Association and has served NJPSA as a Council Member and a member of the Nominating Committee. Dr. Gismondi currently resides in West Deptford with his wife and twin teenage daughters.

Director of Secondary Education, Washington Twp. School District
Term: 2022 - 2025
Dr. Steve Gregor has been in the field of education for over 31 years. He began his career as a high school social studies teacher and later as staff technology trainer in the Washington Township Public Schools in Gloucester County. He was appointed as the district’s Social Studies and Gifted and Talented Supervisor in 2004, later serving as middle school principal. He now serves as Director of Secondary Education as of July 1, 2016. He earned his BA in Education at the University of Valley Forge, MA in Social Science at Temple University, MA in Educational Leadership at Thomas Edison State University, and his doctoral degree in Instructional Technology and Distance Education from Nova Southeastern University. He continues his research in field of how distance education can close equity gaps for economically challenged and minoritized students and has also published articles in the journal of the United States Distance Learning Association and NJPSA’s Educational Viewpoints.

Director of Accountability and Special Projects, Delran Twp. School District
Term: 2022 - 2025
Jennifer Lowe has been in public education for 25 years and currently serves as the Director of Accountability and Special Projects in Delran Township, Burlington County. Previously, Mrs. Lowe served as an elementary school principal in Delran for 14 years and worked in central office positions overseeing curriculum and managing state, federal, and numerous competitive grants for 4 years. Prior to entering administration, she taught at the McKinley Elementary School in Stafford Township, Ocean County. She received her B.A. from Rowan University and her M.A. from Georgian Court University. Mrs. Lowe has been a member of the NJPSA Council, representing Burlington County for many years, is an active member of the legislative committee, and serves as a mentor in the NJL2L program. She is passionate about ensuring that every child receives a quality education that develops the whole child.

Principal, Indian Mills School
Term: 2021 - 2024
Nicole Moore is an accomplished New Jersey educator for nearly 26 years. Ms. Moore has spent the last 17 years as Principal of Indian Mills School in Shamong, New Jersey, a pre-K through fourth grade school, where she serves as the building’s sole school leader. Ms. Moore previously served as the Assistant Principal of Blackwood Elementary School in the Gloucester Township School district where she was responsible for student discipline, teacher evaluation, business operations and community relations. Ms. Moore holds a Master's in Administration Planning and Social Policy from Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Assistant Principal, Cumberland Regional High School
Term: 2021 - 2024
Joseph J. Spoltore is an Assistant Principal at Cumberland Regional High School in Cumberland County, New Jersey. He has held this position for the past eight years. He previously served in the District as the Dean of Students for two years and prior to that he was a Health and Physical Education Teacher and Coach for seven years. Mr. Spoltore is the current president of his local association, an active member of NJPSA serving as a council member and on the legislative committee. He holds a bachelor’s degree in health and exercise science from Rowan University and a master’s in school leadership from Wilmington University.

Supervisor of Instruction, Vineland Public Schools
Term: 2021 - 2023
Ross Stanger graduated from the Hill School, in Pottstown, PA, before matriculating to Kenyon College in Gambier, OH. While an undergraduate, Mr. Stanger was a three sport athlete and 10 varsity letter winner in cross country and track and field and two time captain of cross country. Mr. Stanger was a history major, admissions tour guide, and coordinated overnight stays for visiting students. He also studied abroad in Kenya and Uganda. After graduating, Mr. Stanger worked as a kindergarten and 1st Grade Assistant and as the 6th Grade Dean's Assistant at Saint Ann's School, in Brooklyn, NY. He later earned a M.A. in American History from Rutgers University-Camden, and a M. Ed. from Wilmington University. Mr. Stanger taught social studies for 10 years at Vineland High School North. Mr. Stanger has served as Vineland Public Schools' Supervisor of Social Studies, Art, and Library/Media Specialists, and has coordinated the A.P. and Gifted & Talented Programs, since 2008. He is a two-time elected school board member in Hopewell Township (Cumberland County) and was elected Vineland Administrator of the Year in Vineland in 2018. Mr. Stanger is actively involved in Holocaust and Genocide Education, serves as the Program Chair of the South Jersey Holocaust & Genocide Coalition, and was awarded the Miles Lerman Holocaust Education Award in 2020. Mr. Stanger also previously served as the President of the Vineland Principals and Supervisors' Association for three years. He is currently a doctoral student at Drexel University in the Education Administration focusing on the impact of character education on public schools.

President
Executive Director of NJPSA
Karen Bingert began her tenure as Executive Director of NJPSA on July 1, 2021. Previously, she had been the principal of Hillsborough High School in Somerset County since 2006. She began her career in education in 1992 as an English teacher at Asbury Park High School, next teaching middle and high school English in the Southern Regional School District. She joined the Hillsborough Township School District in 1999 as a vice principal at the high school before becoming principal. A longstanding Council Member at NJPSA, Ms. Bingert was an active member of the Elementary/Middle/Secondary and Nominations committees. She co-chaired the NJPSA/NJASA Joint Committee on Educator Effectiveness and Graduation Requirements/Assessment. In the past she has served as the president of the Somerset County High School Principals Association and Vice President of the Hillsborough Principals and Supervisors Association. Ms. Bingert earned her BA in English/Secondary Education from Trenton State College and her MA in Administration, Supervision, and Curriculum Planning from Georgian Court University.

CEO of FEA
Donna McInerney is the Chief Executive Officer of FEA, having previously served for nearly six years as FEA's Director of Program Development and Design. A former high school Social Studies teacher and supervisor, she earned her doctorate from the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University, specializing in curriculum theory and development. Over the last 15 years she has been an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Graduate Education, Leadership and Counseling at Rider University and in the Educational Administration and Secondary Education Program at The College of New Jersey.  She currently teaches in the NJ EXCEL program. Throughout the course of her career, Dr. McInerney has provided professional learning experiences on a wide variety of topics including tools for professional learning communities, the Connected Action Roadmap (CAR), research-based instructional strategies, classroom management techniques, project-based learning, differentiated instruction, curriculum integration, and cooperative learning strategies.  Her most recent work has focused on the instructional leadership skills and coherent frameworks needed to improve teacher practice, drive student achievement and ensure systemic, sustained, school improvement.

CFO of FEA
Denise Hecht is presently the Assistant Executive Director for the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association (NJPSA) and Chief Financial Officer for the Foundation for Educational Administration, Inc. (FEA). Prior to this, she was the Founder and President of DenTel Practice Management. Her firm offered professional and staff development in the fields of education, health care, and business. She received her MBA from Wagner College in New York where she has served as an adjunct member of the graduate school business administration faculty. She has also served as an adjunct professor at Farleigh Dickinson University. Ms. Hecht is a published writer, the author of the CLICK Profile for Educators, and is a certified NLP practitioner. Ms. Hecht has served as the President of the New Jersey Association of Partners in Education and has been a board member of the David Sarnoff Library and Museum. In partnership with the NJDOE and the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, she has assisted in writing and successfully implemented a $5.1 million grant for training Superintendents and Principals in leadership and technology in the state of New Jersey. She has also presented at several national conferences on leadership in the health, education, and business-related fields. Ms. Hecht was past Director of the Institute for Education and Cognitive Psychology, an organization devoted to the personal and professional improvement of teachers and administrators.

Assistant Principal, Halsted Middle School, Newton
Angela D. Dunbar is the Assistant Principal of Halsted Middle School and Director of Curriculum & Professional Development for Newton Public Schools in Newton, New Jersey. Angela has over seventeen years of experience in education. Prior to becoming a school leader, Angela was a high school special education teacher for eight years in Newton and five years in the Bronx, New York. Angela believes in providing educators with individualized support in order to build their capacity and increase student achievement. Angela is the founder and leader of the Curriculum Consortium of Sussex County and organizes professional development opportunities for educators in Northwest, New Jersey. Angela’s administration prowess was recognized when she received the 2017 Dale Reinhardt Excellence in Education Award for her work as a leader in the area of curriculum development and her ability to provide professional development opportunities for educators. Additionally, Angela was a recipient of the Newton High School Teacher of the Year Award in 2014. She holds a Master's in School Building Leadership from Columbia University.

Director of Special Services, Jackson Twp.
Dr. Teresa Herrero Taylor is currently the Director of Special Services for Jackson Township School District and previously was the Director of Special Services and a Supervisor of Special Education for the Freehold Regional High School District. Her career in education began as a School Psychologist for the Lawrence Township Public Schools and the Monroe Township Public Schools. Her 22-year career in New Jersey public education has spanned the elementary, middle, high school, and district levels. Teresa is a proud graduate of the NJEXCEL Program and has been Chair of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association Special Education Committee for more than 5 years. She is a New Jersey Licensed Psychologist, doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, New Jersey Certified School Psychologist, and Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Masters in Psychology Program at Rider University. Teresa holds a Doctorate in School, Community and Clinical Child Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology and a Master of Education in Multicultural Counseling from Teachers College/Columbia University, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Florida. She completed her pre-doctoral internship as a psychologist at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and post-doctoral fellowship through the Prevention of Long-Term Anger and Aggression in Youth (PLAAY) Project at the University of Pennsylvania in the disciplinary schools of Philadelphia.

Assistant Principal, Cumberland Regional High School
Terence Johnson is the assistant principal at Cumberland Regional High School. He instituted and runs the Freshman Transition into High School program, in which seniors help incoming freshman learn how to adjust to life in high school. An alumnus and former football player at The Citadel, Terence was named the 2019 NJPSA Visionary Assistant Principal of the Year, as well as the New Jersey NASSP Assistant Principal of the Year .

Principal, Brick Township High School
Term: 2022 - 2025
Dr. David Kasyan is the proud principal of Brick Township High School. He began his career in education in the Jackson School District where he was a special education teacher in the elementary and high school grade levels prior to becoming an assistant principal at the elementary level. Dr. Kasyan joined the Brick Township School District in 2017, when he became the principal of Emma Havens Young Elementary School. He accepted his current position as principal of Brick Township High School in July of 2021. Dr. Kasyan completed his undergraduate education at Lebanon Valley College, where he double majored in Elementary Education and Special Education. He received his Masters in Administration and Leadership from Georgian Court University and Doctorate in Education: Educational Leadership from Saint Peter’s University. Dr. Kasyan embraces a shared leadership philosophy, empowering students and staff to contribute and collaborate towards a positive school culture. Dr. Kasyan is an advocate for inclusive education practices, responsive instruction, and equity. He believes it is our responsibility to develop the whole child, while working collaboratively with all stakeholders within a learning community to achieve desired outcomes of success. Dr. Kasyan received the New Jersey State PTA Outstanding Principal of the Year award in 2021. Additionally, Dr. Kasyan works with the New Jersey Leadership Academy (NJLA) to provide professional development to current and aspiring leaders. Moreover, Dr. Kasyan currently serves on the Governing Board for the Regional Education Laboratories (REL) Mid-Atlantic Region.

District Supervisor of Testing, Roselle Public Schools
Ms. Karen Tanner-Oliphant began her career as a Family and Consumer Science teacher at East Side High School in Paterson, New Jersey. There she served in many roles as a student advocate, mentor, and class advisor. Currently, Ms. Tanner-Oliphant serves as the District Supervisor of Testing for Roselle Public Schools and has been recognized for her leadership in service to the district and the educational community through her participation in various special projects, leading to improved student outcomes such as: High Schools that Work, School Improvement Grants (SIG Program), NJDOE Assessment Panel (next generation statewide assessment), Connected Action Roadmap (CAR-District-wide Implementation), and a developer of the Broad Field Family and Consumer Sciences Assessment for AAFCS-CTSO Certification. She also served as the State President of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. Karen earned her B.S. from Hampton University, an M.A. from Kean University – School Administration and MA in Secondary Reading and Curriculum from Grand Canyon University. Through her leadership as President of the Morris County (NJ) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, her focus is to provide transformational programs and services to the community that are designed to lead to improved outcomes for children and families.