Anthony Benjamin
Summary
Dynamic educational leader with a proven track record at Montclair State University, excelling in curriculum design and instructional coaching. Passionate about fostering collaborative planning and enhancing student outcomes, I have successfully implemented innovative programs that significantly improved school culture and academic performance. Committed to empowering educators and students alike.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Adjunct Professor
Montclair State University
Montclair
05.2024 - Current
- Design & lecture engaging Masters/ Graduate-level courses, assignments & materials aligned with departmental learning objectives;
- Evaluate student performance and determine the grades of students based upon participation, class performance, assignments and examinations;
- Collaborate with other faculty members to develop and implement innovative teaching strategies.
District Principal Leadership Coach (Part-Time)
Camden School District
01.2024 - Current
- As per NJDOE Comprehensive Schools directive, I provide coaching and support to building principals with a focus on system enhancement, instructional leadership, school culture, data analysis and decision-making and family engagement;
- Review, provide feedback and progress monitor the engagement of the Annual School Plan (ASP);
- Engage instructional walkthroughs with each school’s administrative team;
- Review discipline practices & assist the school leaders/ administrators in creating or sustaining a collaborative learning environment. Analyze and provide feedback on culture and climate;
- Provide insight, strategies and suggestions on professional learning/ development experiences to improve instructional practices and student learning outcomes.
Leadership Consultant (Part-Time)
I.M.A.G.E. Educational Consulting, LLC
01.2022 - Current
- Assist / Support district(s) and school-based leaders with:
- Schedule design and development
- Recruitment, retention and training new staff members
- Identifying quality professional development opportunities for staff
- Establishing communication protocols and systems to staff and parents
- Developing/designing educational programs
- Preparing budgets and allocating program funds
Principal
Somerville Middle School, SOMERVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Somerville
01.2019 - 01.2022
- Provided leadership and supervision in the areas of instruction, staff development, staff evaluation, data analysis, operations, community outreach and communications, human resources and budget/ finance to the entire staff;
- Designed and engaged the school’s first ever mini EdCamp; Planned for a new Title I Saturday School program;
- Planned and engaged the ‘Courts in the Schools’ program for students to learn about the courts/legal system;
- Planned and engaged ‘Algebra for All’ / Algebra Readiness initiative with Math teachers and district administration;
- Established Word Walls throughout all classrooms and engaged several school-wide beautification projects;
- Installed a new Little Free Library to support our community literacy initiative;
- Worked alongside district Director to design a new SMS Homeless program initiative;
- Introduced & engaged the first ever SMS Breakfast After the Bell program- shared plan with other district schools;
- Created a new middle school newsletter and new (digital) elective course catalog;
- Supported the development of the Counseling department’s creation of eight (8) new counseling groups to support SMS students’ mental health and wellness; and so many other initiatives, programs and facility improvement projects.
Principal
Bartle Elementary School, HIGHLAND PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT
Highland Park
01.2014 - 01.2019
- Provided leadership and supervision in the areas of instruction, staff development, staff evaluation, data analysis, operations, community outreach and communications, human resources and budget/ finance to the entire staff;
- Introduced and employed Fountas & Pinnell to identify and monitor students reading levels and performance; all students reading level at all grades remained consistent over 88%;
- Reviewed unit assessments, district benchmarks and (NJDOE) School Evidence Statement Analysis data on a weekly basis during grade-level & PLC meetings to identify areas to support/enhance curriculum and instruction; a record number of students achieved a level four (4) on 2016 PARCC in both language arts and math in grades 3-5;
- Introduced and monitored several new programs to improve student reading and writing achievement that include PAR, Lucy Calkins Writers Workshop and Words Their Way; secured grant funds to create or enhance classroom libraries and a new leveled library/ Book room;
- Partnered with Rutgers University to engage in a Saturday Reading Buddies program; led the redesign and supervision of the new Basic Skills (RAMP) and Gifted & Talented program;
- Installed a new Little Free Library to support our community literacy initiative;
- Co-chaired the district’s master scheduling committee;
- Introduced Breakfast After the Bell program to school and shared implementation plan to principal colleagues;
- Led the planning of several major school facilities improvement projects and beautification initiatives that include a new playground (w/ running track), new library/media center, and a new technology lab.
Principal
Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, TRENTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Trenton
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Provided leadership and supervision in the areas of instruction, staff development, staff evaluation, data analysis, operations, community outreach and communications, human resources and budget/ finance to the entire staff;
- Reviewed unit assessments, district benchmarks and (NJDOE) School Evidence Statement Analysis data on a weekly basis during grade-level & PLC meetings to identify areas to support/enhance curriculum and instruction; student performance rose and Franklin was identified as the highest performing elementary school in the entire district in all grades (3rd-5th) on 2014 NJASK for both ELA & Math;
- Introduced Scholastic Reading and Math Inventory (SRI & SMI) that provided students reading and math level performance in Lexile form; teachers used this information for planning whole group and small group instruction, and scaffolding to support ensuring students received the appropriate grade-level text and readiness;
- Introduced and engaged the Breakfast After the Bell program for all students;
- Led the planning and construction of a new playground surface for all students;
- Secured grant funds and purchased a Smartboard and laptop for every classroom;
- Responsible for planning and engaging a $2 million plus operational budget.
Principal
Dennis B. O’Brien Elementary School, ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Rockaway Township
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Provided leadership and supervision in the areas of instruction, staff development, staff evaluation, data analysis, operations, community outreach and communications, human resources and budget/ finance to the entire staff;
- Introduced and engaged Balanced Literacy and several Reading & Math professional development experiences that included: Literary circles, Silent Inquiry, Math storytelling, etc.;
- Reviewed unit assessments, district benchmarks and (NJDOE) School Evidence Statement Analysis data on a weekly basis during grade-level & PLC meetings to identify areas to support/enhance curriculum and instruction; these efforts led to an increase in the 5th grade NJASK Math scores - 90% of 5th graders met & exceeded expectations; we received the highest Math NJASK 2012 scores among all district elementary schools. We also received the highest average improvement of all elementary schools for LAL & Math on 2012 NJASK;
- Secured funds and installed leveled libraries in all 3rd -5th grade homerooms;
- Led the development and engagement of a new integrated (Special Education) Pre-K program;
- Spearheaded a student attendance improvement initiative; student tardies and absences decreased by 20% and 15% respectively;
- Spearheaded the planning, development and construction of a new library and playground for Pre-K and Kindergarten students.
Principal
John Barry Elementary & Middle School, SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA
Philadelphia
01.2010 - 01.2011
- Provided leadership and supervision in the areas of instruction, staff development, staff evaluation, data analysis, operations, community outreach and communications, human resources and budget/ finance to the entire staff;
- Engaged weekly data driven analysis meetings of PSSA Evidence-Based Selected-Responses and Text-Dependent Analysis Prompts during team or professional development meetings, etc.;
- Led the implementation of the new ‘Imagine It’ ELA and Corrective Math programs; this was integral to the Imagine 2014 district strategic plan;
- We developed and engaged a new instructional walkthrough tool; we used daily instructional data from the walkthrough tool to coach teachers on best instructional practices. Our instructional and coaching efforts and experiences supported us in achieving a 10% increase in students’ 2011 PSSA scores;
- We provided weekly staff professional development in LAL & Math (RtI) strategies;
- We developed and implemented the school’s action and safety plans in partnership w/ the Philadelphia police dept.;
- Introduced school-wide attendance and behavior initiatives which led to a 34% improvement in student attendance and a 67% decline in suspensions/disciplinary referrals by the conclusion of the school year;
- Purchased and integrated 10 new SmartTables for several K-2 classrooms;
- Responsible for planning and engaging a $4.5 million operational budget.
Summer School Principal; Assistant Principal; School G&T Coordinator; Teacher
Glenfield Middle & Renaissance Middle Schools, MONTCLAIR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Montclair
01.2006 - 01.2010
- Provided leadership and supervision in the areas of instruction, staff development, staff evaluation, data analysis, operations, community outreach and communications, human resources and budget/ finance to the entire staff;
- Engaged weekly data driven analysis meetings of local benchmarks and NJASK; instructional coaching and targeted PD based on observation and walkthrough data was essential and supported our efforts in making AYP (Safe Harbor SE) for the first time in several years;
- Created and oversaw several new middle school course electives (Digital Storytelling, Game Design, etc.);
- Ensured the implementation of the new ELA leveled novels and Connected Math curriculum/ programs;
- Served as Gifted & Talented coordinator and led students to special recognition in (NJ) state-wide competition- Bronze award (ROGATE);
- Spearheaded and oversaw the redesign of a new school-wide special education Resource Room (RR) program;
- Led the team that revised the Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS) process which led to a 27% increase in (I&RS) referrals and a 35% reduction in 504 cases/referrals.
K-12 Supervisor; Lead Teacher; (9-12) H.S. Teacher
Essex Regional Educational Services Commission
Fairfield
01.2002 - 01.2006
- Provided leadership and supervision for the district’s Special Services, Related Programs and Grants programs;
- Secured $350,000 in grant funding for McKinley Vento homeless and migrant education grant/program;
- Spearheaded the redesign of the SES program’s ELA and Math curriculum; Supervised SES program staff;
- Planned and coordinated occupational and physical therapist schedules and placement with fifteen (15) constituent districts throughout Essex County;
- Worked with closely with NJDOE personnel as a district liaison to monitor programs, appropriately allocate resources and ensure programs and service delivery logistics were engaged/ implemented according to NJDOE standard;
- Provided monthly program progress monitoring and reports to division Director and Superintendent for BOE meetings.
Education
Ed.D. -
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ01.2026
Certificate -
Harvard University
Cambridge, MAEd.M. -
Columbia University
New York, NYM.A. -
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJB.S. -
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJSkills
- Leadership development
- Curriculum design
- Instructional coaching
- Data analysis
- Collaborative planning
- Educational program management
Certification
- New Jersey- School Administrator; Principal; Supervisor; Teacher
- New York- School District Administrator; School Administrator; Supervisor
- Pennsylvania- Principal K-12
- ORTON-GILLINGHAM- Reading/Literacy (Level 1) Training Certificate
- Johns Hopkins University- Contact Tracing Training/ Certificate
- New Jersey Notary Public, 50156692, 04/01/21, 04/01/26
Volunteer Experience
- NJ Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development, Child Labor Enforcement Advisory Board Member, Current
- The ACTS Project – The Anchor House of Trenton, Coach
- Hamilton Township Recreational Soccer Association (HTRSA), Coach, Hamilton, NJ
- Nottingham & HTRBA Little League, Coach, Hamilton, NJ
- Special Olympics of NJ Track & Field, Coach, Piscataway, NJ
- Habitat for Humanity Restores, Trenton, NJ
- Community Soup Kitchen and Outreach Center, Inc., Morristown, NJ
- Community Soup Kitchen, Newark, NJ
Awards
- New Jersey State Governor’s Jefferson Award for Volunteerism and Community Service, 2020
- Highland Park Administrators Association (HPAA) Vice President, 2017-2018
- NJ Safe Routes to School Gold Recognition Award (Bartle Elementary), 2017
- NJ Sustainable Schools Bronze Certification Award (Bartle Elementary), 2016
- Administrator of the Year - Middlesex County Education Association (Friends of Education), 2016
- Teacher of the Year (Finalist)- Montclair Public Schools, 2008
Timeline
Adjunct Professor
Montclair State University
05.2024 - Current
District Principal Leadership Coach (Part-Time)
Camden School District
01.2024 - Current
Leadership Consultant (Part-Time)
I.M.A.G.E. Educational Consulting, LLC
01.2022 - Current
Principal
Somerville Middle School, SOMERVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
01.2019 - 01.2022
Principal
Bartle Elementary School, HIGHLAND PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT
01.2014 - 01.2019
Principal
Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, TRENTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
01.2013 - 01.2014
Principal
Dennis B. O’Brien Elementary School, ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP PUBLIC SCHOOLS
01.2011 - 01.2013
Principal
John Barry Elementary & Middle School, SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA
01.2010 - 01.2011
Summer School Principal; Assistant Principal; School G&T Coordinator; Teacher
Glenfield Middle & Renaissance Middle Schools, MONTCLAIR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
01.2006 - 01.2010
K-12 Supervisor; Lead Teacher; (9-12) H.S. Teacher
Essex Regional Educational Services Commission
01.2002 - 01.2006
Ed.D. -
Seton Hall University
Certificate -
Harvard University
Ed.M. -
Columbia University
M.A. -
Seton Hall University
B.S. -
Seton Hall University