NJPSA/FEA Staff

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.

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.

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.

Fidelia Sturdivant is a career educator and administrator who worked with children from preschool to high school. A newly retired principal, Ms. Sturdivant’s career focused on serving and educating students in the East Orange School District for over 30 years. She is now the Coordinator of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for NJPSA. Ms. Sturdivant received her Bachelor of Science degree from West Virginia State University and her Master of Arts degree in Secondary Education from Seton Hall University. Additionally, she continued her postgraduate education at Kean University. Fidelia held the following leadership positions: President of the East Orange Administrators Association, President of the New Jersey Principal and Supervisor Association, New Jersey State Representative for the National Association Elementary School Principals, New Jersey State Board of Examiners and Trustee for Bethel Baptist Church. Ms. Sturdivant received the East Orange YMCA Minority Achievers Award and was inducted into the East Orange Hall Of Fame. Ms. Sturdivant was the recipient of the Shirley Chisholm Award presented by our current Lieutenant Governor Shelia Y. Oliver.

Liz has been working with NJPSA/FEA since October 2003 currently as the Coordinator of Financial Management. Along with daily financial projects Liz works actively on both the federal and private grants awarded to the Foundation. Prior to joining to NJPSA/FEA Liz worked for Infocrossing as a computer programmer for over 20 years.

Dee started working for NJPSA in 1992. Along with the business aspects of NJPSA, she has been very involved in the administration of state and federal grants awarded to the Foundation for Educational Administration, Inc. Prior to working with NJPSA she worked as an Accountant for Johnson & Johnson Baby Products in Skillman NJ. She graduated from Rider University.

Daniel Higgins joined NJPSA as its communications director in August 2012. He had spent the previous 13 years in higher education marketing and communications, as the executive director of University Communications at Rider University and as executive director of University Relations at Kean University. He also spent several years working in the field of government and political campaigns for Governor Jim Florio, Congressman Rob Andrews, and Assemblyman Louis Greenwald. Higgins earned a bachelor of arts at Temple University and a master of public administration from Rutgers University.

Rob Burek currently serves as the Director of Information Technology. He has worked for NJPSA/FEA since 2001 in the technology and web development department, not only providing technical support for members, but also creating and maintaining the web sites for NJPSA, NJEXCEL, and NJL2L. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Wagner College and his Certificate in Information Technology from Devry Institute. Prior to joining NJPSA, he worked for the National Investors Services Corporation and for Clark Mackain, a direct marketing and list brokerage firm.

Gina DeVito-Birnie joined NJPSA in 2007 as the Communications Specialist/Graphic Designer and is now the Coordinator of Marketing and Design. Responsible for the visual communications and branding of NJPSA and FEA, Gina designs all printed and electronic marketing materials. She also creates email marketing campaigns with written content from her Government Relations, Professional Development, and Communications colleagues to advertise workshops and provide members with pertinent information. Ms. DeVito-Birnie previously worked as graphic designer for Ansell Healthcare Products and through the Creative Group for such clients as Merrill Lynch/Blackrock, Films Media Group, and Johnson & Johnson. She has a B.A. in Italian from Rutgers University and a Certificate of Digital Arts from Brookdale Community College. With Rutgers, Gina spent her Junior year at the Universita degli Studi di Firenze in Florence, Italy. She has taken numerous non-credit drawing and painting classes at various institutions.

Karthika Thiyagarajan currently serves as a Salesforce Administrator/Developer at NJPSA/FEA. Her responsibilities include delivering NJPSA/FEA’s overall Salesforce CRM support process and to ensure NJPSA’s growth within Salesforce Environment. She is a certified Salesforce Administrator and Developer, earned a Master of Science in Information Technology from The Gandhigram Rural Institute-Deemed University, India, and completed undergraduate studies at Mother Teresa Women’s University, India. Prior to joining NJPSA/FEA, her employment includes work with Inspirix Technologies, Infosys, Tek skills, and Ajulia Executive search as a Salesforce Administrator/Developer.

As an experienced Information Technology Professional, Janet Tuohy joins NJPSA with over 25 years of experience in planning, implementing, and managing emerging educational technologies throughout several New Jersey school districts. Throughout her career, Ms. Tuohy has assumed leading roles in the implementation of technological initiatives created to ensure operational compliance with established performance, quality, and related standards. She has developed infrastructure essential for K-12 information management, including evaluating, supporting, and coordinating the purchases and deployment of systems hardware, applications, and broadband connections.

A lifelong learner, Ms. Tuohy has two undergraduate Bachelor of Science degrees and two Master’s degrees, one in Information Systems Management and a second in Project Management. Ms. Tuohy is committed to ongoing technical training and education. She is a Microsoft Certified Professional, a Certified Project Management Professional, a Certified Chief Information Officer, and holds a Certificate of Eligibility as a School Business Administrator.

Debra Bradley has been the Director of Government Relations for the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association since 1990. In this capacity, she serves as the Association’s chief lobbyist before the United States Congress, the State Legislature, the State Board of Education and all federal and state agencies involved in the regulation of public education. She is directly responsible for the development and advocacy of NJPSA’s legislative agenda which covers a broad spectrum of educational issues including the preparation, support and development of school leaders, school finance, collective bargaining/employment issues and school reform issues. Prior to joining NJPSA, Debra spent eleven years working for the National Labor Relations Board at its field offices in Newark and Philadelphia. Ms. Bradley received her J.D. from Seton University School of Law in 1986. She received her undergraduate degree from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania with a major in Government and Law.

Jennie Lamon is the Assistant Director of Government Relations for the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association. Prior to joining NJPSA, Jennie spent thirteen years working for the New Jersey Senate as an aide and Chief of Staff to retired Senator Diane B. Allen. Ms. Lamon completed her undergraduate work in Political Science at Rutgers University - New Brunswick, NJ in 2000. Jennie received her J.D. from Rutgers School of Law in Camden, NJ in 2003.

Since 1981 Mr. Schwartz has served as counsel to the NJPSA. Prior to 1981 he served as counsel to both the NJ Elementary and Middle School Administrators Association and to the NJ Secondary Principals and Supervisors Association, the two associations which together joined to form the NJPSA in 1981. Mr. Schwartz has also been in private practice for more than 30 years. Currently he is the principal shareholder in the Schwartz Law Group LLC. Mr. Schwartz been the lead counsel in many precedent setting education matters involving the NJPSA and its members. He has also been a contributor of legal articles to NJPSA publications. Currently Mr. Schwartz serves as chief counsel in charge of the NJPSA legal program serving the more than 6200 members of the NJPSA.

Mr. Farinella is a lifelong resident of South Plainfield, New Jersey. After graduating from South Plainfield High School, he attended Penn State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. His postgraduate studies led him to a Master of Arts degree in Education Administration and Supervision from Saint Peter’s College and a Juris Doctor degree from Seton Hall University School of Law. Mr. Farinella’s work experience in public education includes more than 25 years in the New Jersey public schools, serving as a teacher of mathematics, vice principal, and, most recently, principal of Rahway High School. Mr. Farinella is also a member of the New Jersey Bar, the New York Bar, and the United States District Court of New Jersey Bar. In addition, Mr. Farinella was named the 2017 NJPSA Visionary Principal of the Year, Secondary Level.

Andrew L. Schwartz, Esq., is legal counsel to the NJPSA. A former Board of Education and management attorney, Mr. Schwartz now represents members in all aspects of their employment disputes from navigating internal Board-led investigations to grievances to arbitrations to petitions before the Commissioner of Education, and in the courts. Upon graduation from the Vermont Law School in 2010 where he was an Articles Editor to the Vermont Journal of Environmental of Law and a member of Moot Court, Mr. Schwartz clerked for the Honorable Alvaro Iglesias, J.S.C., in the Hudson Vicinage for the 2010-11 term. He received his B.S. from Indiana University in 2005. Prior to practicing law, Mr. Schwartz taught high school mathematics.

Jordan Shead is Legal Counsel for NJPSA. She graduated from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 2021 where she served as President of Public Interest Law Society and Diversity Chair of the Student Bar Association. Jordan obtained her Bachelors in Classics from the University of Notre Dame, where she also served as captain of the track and field team. Jordan recently relocated to New Jersey and is excited about learning all things Jersey – but most excited about helping the NJPSA membership.

Ms. Smeltzer is a graduate of Temple University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 1994. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1997. Ms. Smeltzer has been a practicing education and labor law attorney in New Jersey since 1997. After graduating law school, Ms. Smeltzer worked in private practice representing local school districts and other public entities. From 2006 through 2015, Ms. Smeltzer worked for the State-Operated School District of the City of Paterson as its Labor Relations Officer, Director of Non-Traditional Programs and, most recently, Assistant General Counsel. In her capacity as Assistant General Counsel, Ms. Smeltzer was instrumental in the district’s successful implementation of TEACHNJ. Her extensive experience as a management attorney enables her to provide a valuable perspective to our members.

Michael Vinella is the Director of Membership and retirement Services for NJPSA. Most recently, he worked in the East Brunswick School system for nearly 30 years as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, supervisor, and, since 2012, as EBHS principal. In addition, he served as the NJPSA President and Board Member. In 2020, Michael was named NASSP NJ Principal of the Year and NJPSA/FEA Visionary Principal of the Year. He has also served as the NASSP State Coordinator for NJ, on the Executive Committee of NJSIAA, and on many state and national committees, including as the Co-Chair of the Governors Dual Enrollment Commission. He also works as a NJPSA Field Representative and serves as a mentor for NJ Leaders to Leaders. Michael works to stay current with educational research by teaching courses and serving as a doctoral committee chair at Walden and Rider University.

Rebecca retired in 2015 from Lawrence Township as their HR Director. Since that time she has been working with Legal One as presenter for a number of HR related workshops including both the Affirmative Action Officer Institute and the HR Directors Institute. She has also served as an Interim HR Director in Hamilton Twp. As HR Director she assisted staff with their NJ TPAF pension planning. She is adept in navigating through the retirement process. While at Lawrence, Rebecca also served as the Director of Technology. She Co-Founded the NJ Association for Educational Technology, a major NJ Technology support group (now part of ISTE), and also Co-Founded CJPRIDE to help HR Directors recruit diverse educators in NJ.

Denise King joins the staff of NJPSA after 30 years as a Teacher, Assistant Principal and , for the last 16 years as Principal at B. Bernice Young School in Burlington Township. Denise received her B.A. in English from Rutgers University, a M. Ed from Cheyney University and her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova University. Her professional associations include: NJPSA, NAESP, NASSP, NJEA, NEA, and ASCD. Denise served as a Board member at NJPSA and also as the President of the Burlington County PSA. Her awards include: NJPSA Visionary Leader - Elementary Principal, NAESP Distinguished Visionary Elementary Principal, and the NJ Department of Education Visionary Elementary Principal. Her community activities include serving on the Board of the YMCA Youth Advisory Board and the BCIT Foundation. She was awarded the Phi Beta Sigma Distinguished Educational and Community Service Award in 2017.

Bob Murphy recently retired as the Assistant Executive Director and Director of Retirement Services for NJPSA and now serves as the NJPSA/NJASBO Pension Consultant. Before joining the staff of NJPSA, Bob served the association as President (2011-12), as a member of the Board of Directors (2006-2012), Council member and State Coordinator for NASSP (2008-2012). He also served on a number of NJPSA committees over the years. Bob retired in October 2012 after 36 years as a public school educator. He began his career as a vocal music teacher in Piscataway and then served as the Fine Arts Supervisor, Adult School Co-Director and finally Assistant Principal at North Brunswick HS. Bob served as a middle school Principal in Middletown before finishing his career as the principal of East Brunswick HS. He was recognized in 2006 as the NASSP – NJPSA/Metlife HS Principal of the Year.

Dr. Donna McInerney is the Chief Executive Officer of FEA, having previously served for nearly six years as Director of Program Development and Design at NJPSA/FEA. 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 currently teaches at The College of New Jersey.Throughout the course of her career, Dr. McInerney has provided professional learning experiences on a wide variety of topics including the Connected Action Roadmap (CAR), research-based instructional strategies, classroom management techniques, problem-based learning, differentiated instruction, curriculum integration, cooperative learning, teacher evaluation and the development of student growth objectives. 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.

Emil Carafa recently retired as the principal of Washington School in Lodi and has been actively involved in a variety of educational committees on the local, county, state, and national level. He has held the office of President on the county and state levels, representing principals, directors and supervisors on all levels. He has previously served as President of the Board of Directors of NJPSA and has served on the nominating committee for the National Association of Elementary School Principals. He also served as a member Educator Leaders’ Cadre for the State of New Jersey, representing administrators at PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) on the national level. Emil, working along with the Educator Leaders’ Cadre from New Jersey, is committed to working with all educators to better understand Standards and PARCC. Emil was also on the Advisory Committee on Teaching & Learning for Center Point Education Solutions and serves as a member of the steering committee, cohort developer and presenter for the New Jersey Leadership Academy and was named NJPSA Visionary Leader of the Year, Elementary Level Principal, in 2015.

Victoria Duff is Coordinator of Professional Learning at New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association. She also serves as Chair of the Learning Forward Foundation that provides grants and scholarships to educators internationally to enhance systems of professional learning. Throughout her 40-year career in education, she has been a classroom practitioner, at the elementary level, Coordinator of Mentoring and Induction, chaired the New Jersey Professional Teaching Standards Board, and worked at the Department of Education to support teachers and leaders in the implementation phase of new teacher induction, professional learning and educator effectiveness. Victoria has presented at state and national levels on effective professional learning, the development of high functioning environments of supports for teacher and school leaders, and strategic planning. She holds an undergraduate degree from Muskingum College in religious studies and from Georgian Court University in Elementary Education, as well as a Masters in Educational Administration from Walden University.

Heather Moran is the Coordinator of Professional Learning for FEA. Previously, she served as principal of Logan Middle School in Logan Township. Her career began as a 5th and 6th grade teacher in a district with two teachers per grade level before moving to a larger middle school setting to teach mathematics. In 2004, she moved to administration and held two positions in a K-8 district serving 8,000 students in both school-based and central administration roles. She has worked on development and representation teams for the New Jersey Leadership Academy, was a lead developer and presenter for the Equity in Action Academy, and served a term as NJPSA’s representative to the State Board of Examiners. She also served on the NJPSA Board of Directors and was its president in 2018-19.

Dr. Mary Reece is the Director of Special Projects at the Foundation for Educational Administration. Prior to joining FEA, Mary served as a principal, assistant principal, and supervisor in Edison Township. She began her teaching career in Irvington, and later worked at the NJ Department of Education. Mary has taught undergraduate and graduate courses at Rutgers University from which she received her graduate degrees, and she has served as a mentor for many administrative interns. She has presented at state, national, and international conferences on such diverse topics as teacher/administrative tenure, special education issues, mentoring/induction, arts integration, early childhood education, and afterschool/extended learning. She has been an active member of local, state, and national education associations, completing a term on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Elementary School Principals. Currently, Mary is the chairperson of both the Montgomery Township Environmental Commission and Sustainable Montgomery. In addition, Mary is a founder of Gathering Ground, the past Board Chairperson and current Board Member of Arts Ed NJ, and a member of the Board of Trustees of The Watershed Institute.

Mary Beth Currie is the Coordinator of Special Projects at the Foundation for Educational Administration. She began her teaching career in Philadelphia. Upon completion of her certification as a Reading Specialist, she served as a Reading Specialist in the Upper Darby School District. She obtained her first administrative position as a Principal in Upper Darby. In 2001 she was appointed the Principal of Bret Harte Elementary School in Cherry Hill. During her tenure, the school was identified as a Governor’s School of Excellence and was authorized and an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. Most recently, Ms. Currie served as the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction in the Holmdel Township Public Schools. While there, she established a program for Gifted and Talented students, expanded the AP offerings and supported the “Rotating Block Schedule” at the High School. She retired in 2014 from public education. She completed her undergraduate degree at St. Joseph’s University and her graduate degree at The University of Pennsylvania. She did additional graduate work at Pennsylvania State University where she earned her Principal Certificate and qualified for the certificate as a School Administrator. In 1999, she was recognized as a Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholar and travelled to Japan to study the educational system. She has presented at local and national conferences on a range of topics from Literacy Instruction to Inclusive Programs for youngsters on the Autism spectrum.

Susan Greenwald Gilbert, served as a building Principal, Assistant Principal, and Director/Supervisor of Curriculum & Instruction prior to joining FEA 6 years ago as a Coach and Professional Learning Trainer on topics of Literacy Instruction, Writing, Assessment, Standards-Based Curriculum, and the Connected Action Roadmap. Currently, Ms. Gilbert is also serving as the Coordinator of District Grants for FEA overseeing the Strengthening Teaching, Leading, and Learning Grant which is focused on designing instructional plans, pre-requisite skills, and formative assessment to meet the needs of all learners.

Grace is Coordinator of Technology and Online Learning Management for NJPSA/FEA. She manages the organization's online learning management systems and other related technologies such as course authoring tools. She has decades of experience with many learning management systems and in many roles including LMS administrator, instructor, and online learner. Grace has taught online and face-to-face courses in communication and technical writing for several colleges and universities beginning in 2007. She has over three decades of experience with NJPSA/FEA specializing in many areas of communications and technology including technical support, web content management, graphic design, writing, and marketing. Grace earned her Master of Science in Professional and Technical Communication from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut and Associate in Arts from Mercer County Community College.

Peggy McDonald has been working at the NJ Department of Education in the roles of Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Acting Assistant Commissioner and finally, Assistant Commissioner, in the Division of Student Services. Overseeing services to students who are eligible for Title 1, bilingual/ESL education, gifted education, special education and interventions and referral, she has worked to engage schools in coordination of all supports and interventions through tiered systems of support. Peggy started at the department as a consultant for the Deaf and held various positions in the Office of Special Education Programs before becoming director. She was a teacher of the deaf and speech correctionist and holds certifications as a learning consultant and supervisor.

Angelina Martino Finnegan is the Director of School Leadership Programs for FEA. Most recently, she was principal of Lake Hiawatha Elementary School and had previously served as principal of Rockaway Meadows School and Troy Hills School -- all in the Parsippany-Troy Hills School District. She has served on the NJPSA Board since 2006 and was the association's president in 2010-2011. In 2013, she was named the NJPSA Visionary Principal of the Year and NAESP National Distinguished Principal. Angelina earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Seton Hall University.

Dr. Adele T. Macula is the director of curriculum and instruction for NJ EXCEL. Through her association with the New Jersey Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (NJASCD) and NJPSA/FEA, Dr. Macula has presented workshops on implementing the Common Core State Standards to more than 2,000 educators since February 2012. She is also a trainer for the Stronge Teacher Effectiveness Performance Evaluation System and provides sessions for districts who have adopted the model. Dr. Macula spent much of her professional career in the Jersey City Public Schools beginning in 1978. She served as an elementary teacher, the District Supervisor for Programs that Maximize Potential (G/T) and Special Assistant for the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Dr. Macula held the position of Associate Superintendent – Curriculum and Instruction (K-12) from September 2000 through May 2011 when she retired from the district. She has taught as an Adjunct Professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University in the Masters in Teaching Program and at Seton Hall University in the Executive Ed.D. Program. She has served on many district and statewide committees and has presented at local, state, national and international conferences.

Dr. Graber is the Associate Director of School Leadership Programs at the Foundation for Educational Administration (FEA). Prior to his work at FEA in 2007, he was Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Woodbridge and then Princeton. Jeff also served as the State Executive Assistant to the State District Superintendent in Jersey City and as an Acting Associate Superintendent there. During his career, Jeff was a program administrator for the NJ Department of Education and a district administrator for the Long Branch schools. Jeff began his career path as a junior high school teacher in Elizabeth. In addition to his teaching and administrative work over the years, Jeff has participated in a number of doctoral candidate dissertation committees at Seton Hall University, Rowan University and Rutgers University. Jeff holds a BA in Biology from Jersey City State College and his Master’s and Doctoral Degrees from Seton Hall University.

After leaving the classroom as a Special Education teacher, Ms. Jennifer Hunsinger spent 10 years as the Hillsborough Township Public Schools' Supervisor of Technology. She left public education to join the staff of NJPSA/FEA to coordinate the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grant to facilitate the training of New Jersey School Leaders in using technology to affect change in teaching and learning through the NJELETE statewide initiative. During this time, Ms. Hunsinger presented at state and national conferences and served on several NJ State committees. As her career evolved, she was named Director of Technology for the New Jersey Principals and Supervisor's Association and then technology coordinator for the NJEXCEL and NJTLC programs offered by FEA.

Mr. Sarto has worked in the New Jersey Public School System for 35 successful years where he served as a teacher, supervisor, and administrator at various levels, prior to retiring as Principal of Saddle Brook Middle & High School. Mr. Sarto has served as a mentor to aspiring administrators for the past nine years through the Leaders to Leaders program prior to accepting the position of program coordinator. He is also currently a professional development consultant in the tristate area for Technologies in the 21st Century Classroom. He is a licensed pilot, an interpreter for the deaf, and has been a professional musician for over 45 years. Mr. Sarto is a member of the Executive Board of The New Jersey Alliance for Social Emotional, and Character Development, NJPSA Legislative Committee, Co-Chair of the NJPSA Elementary-Middle-Secondary Committee, New Jersey Council of Education, ASCD, Phi Delta Kappa, NASSP, Pequannock & Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, and Past President and current officer of the Pequannock Chapter of UNICO and UNICO National.

Dr. Kathy McCormick has been involved with the NJ EXCEL program for almost fifteen years, first as a successful candidate and then as both an instructor and an e-mentor. She remains in both of these roles and most recently was pleased to accept the position NJ EXCEL Field-Based Program Coordinator after retiring from public education. Dr. McCormick commenced her teaching career as a high school mathematics teacher at Eastern Camden County Regional High School where she later served in several administrative positions in the areas of technology, special services and student services. She held the position of Assistant Superintendent at Northern Burlington County Regional High School for the final ten years of this chapter of her career in public education. She earned an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Rowan University, holds a Master of Arts degree in Educational Technology Leadership from The George Washington University, and completed undergraduate studies at Rowan University leading to Bachelor of Arts degrees in Education and an instructional certificate in Mathematics.

Mr. Nash currently serves as Director of Legal Education and National Outreach for the Foundation for Educational Administration. His responsibilities include coordinating the efforts of FEA to promote its wide array of professional learning courses, events, programs and services nationally. Mr. Nash is also responsible for overseeing legal education through the LEGAL ONE (Law, Ethics, Governance for All Leaders, including an Overview of New and Emerging issues) program. LEGAL ONE is an innovative program that provides school law professional development for school leaders and other educators. From 2003 to 2011, Mr. Nash served as legal counsel for the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association. In that role, Mr. Nash provided legal assistance to NJPSA members for legal issues arising out of the performance of their duties. Mr. Nash also served as Assistant Director of Government Relations for NJPSA from 1994 to 2003. He currently teaches graduate level school law courses at Ramapo College and has previously taught at Rutgers University and New Jersey City University. Mr. Nash received his B.A. from Rutgers University and graduated with High Honors from Rutgers Law School in 2003. While at Rutgers Law School he served as an editor for the Rutgers Law Review. His prior civic involvement includes six years’ service as a member of the Old Bridge Board of Education, including two years as board president, and service on the Board of Trustees for both Healing the Children New Jersey and Advocates for Children of New Jersey.

Ms. Jacques is the Assistant Director of Legal Education for FEA. She provides School Law Training to school leaders, educators, parents and other education stakeholders through the LEGAL ONE program. Ms. Jacques practiced law in the Federal and State Courts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, where she represented school districts in civil litigation matters, including civil rights, discrimination, and negligence claims. She simultaneously earned a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management and a Bachelor of Art in Political Science at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She holds a Juris Doctor from Widener University School of Law, and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Trial Advocacy from Temple University Law School.
As an Adjunct Professor at both Ramapo College of New Jersey and New Jersey City University, she teaches the School Law Course in their respective Masters in Educational Leadership (M.Ed.) Programs. Ms. Jacques is also an NJ EXCEL instructor, and a frequent guest speaker for the NJ Leaders to Leaders Program and the NJ Teacher Leader Certification Program. Ms. Jacques has presented at Conferences for the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP); NJ Association of School Attorneys (NJSBA); and for numerous New Jersey Education Organizations.

Michael F. Kaelber is the Coordinator of Continuing Legal Education and Research for LEGAL ONE at NJPSA/FEA since retiring in July 2017 from his position of Director of Legal and Labor Relations Services Department of the New Jersey School Boards Association. A member of the NJSBA legal staff since March 1988, he previously served as an associate with the Woodbridge, New Jersey law firm of Hutt, Berkow and Jankowski and was a mathematics teacher and coach in the Woodbridge Township school district from 1973 through 1986. He served as staff liaison to several NJSBA committees, co-authored numerous NJSBA publications and was, and continues to be, a frequent presenter on school law issues at programs sponsored by the NJSBA and other educational and legal organizations. Mr. Kaelber is a 1973 graduate of Lafayette College, A.B. Math, magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, Rutgers University, M.S. Statistics, 1977 and Rutgers University School of Law, J.D., 1986. He is a recipient of the New Jersey Association of School Attorneys Distinguished Service Award and is a member of the New Jersey Association for Gifted Children Hall of Fame.

John Worthington is Coordinator of Special Education Law for LEGAL ONE at NJPSA/FEA. John recently retired as Director of the Office of Special Education Policy and Procedure in the New Jersey Department of Education, where he was responsible, under federal statute and regulations, to operate a system of general supervision and monitor the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 in New Jersey. As director of OSEPP, John oversaw the operation of multiple systems, including:
Monitoring; Dispute Resolution; Complaint Investigation; Distribution and oversight of the IDEA Part B Grant; Oversight of Approved Private Schools for Students with Disabilities; Development of Policy, Guidance, and Administrative Code; and Special Education Data collection and analysis.

Geta began her formal journey into education at Syracuse University where she majored in special education and psychology and attained a Bachelor of Science Degree. Having earned a full tuition fellowship from New York State to continue her studies in child psychology and special education, she enrolled at Ferkauf Graduate School of Yeshiva University where she earned her Masters of Science in special education. After earning her Education Specialist Degree at Ferkauf she began teaching and later earned credentials as a school psychologist and learning specialist. In New York State she earned the distinction of being Teacher of the Year. Eventually, she culminated a 38 year career as a Principal of Warren County Technical School and is an avid supporter of CTE education. She was also president of the local county chapter of PSA administrators. As part of her commitment to PSA she also served on the Board of Directors for PSA/FEA. She has also earned Principal of the Year through the New Jersey Parent Teacher Association. She currently serves on the Legislative Committee. She is a field representative for NJPSA, and is a mentor in the NJ Leaders to Leaders program.

Ameena Terrell currently serves as Coordinator of Strategic Planning and Operations for Legal Education at the Foundation for Educational Administration, having been with the organization since 2013. Her areas of focus are program and project administration, staff development, and organization development. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers University, and has continued her education there, at Penn State, and with professional organizations such as the Project Management Institute and the International Association of Administrative Professionals. Prior to joining NJPSA/FEA, Ameena’s employment includes work with ShopRite Financial Services of the Wakefern Food Corporation and Rutgers University.

Maria Arce, Assistant Coordinator of Financial Services
Stacy Barksdale Jones, Confidential Assistant to the Executive Director/Coordinator of Administrative Services
Matthew Belo, Assistant Coordinator of Technology
Julie Brandell, Assistant Coordinator of School Leadership Programs
Desiree Donkor, Executive Assistant to the CEO of FEA/Event Coordinator
John Flemming, Head Custodian
Wanda Grant, Assistant Coordinator of School Leadership Programs
Larry Harris, Coordinator of Facilities
Karen LaFata, Executive Assistant to the Assistant Executive Directors/Coordinator of Membership Services
Rebecca Lovelace, Assistant Coordinator of Legal Education
John Lynn, Coordinator of Video Production
Devon Mattson, Assistant Coordinator of NJ Leaders to Leaders
Breana Newton, Assistant Coordinator of Legal Education
Irina Orellana, Custodian
Melissa Page, Administrative Specialist/Assistant Coordinator of Government Relations
Ellen Sbarro, Assistant Coordinator of Special Projects
Chrissy Selover, Assistant Coordinator of Legal and Retirement Services
Christy Stoehr, Executive Assistant to the CEO of FEA/Event Coordinator
Lori Wilson, Assistant Coordinator of Membership Services