Doctoral Student APPOINTED PRINCIPAL

Deniz Ismailoff (Ed.D., Cohort 8) has been appointed as school principal at Passaic Arts and Science Charter Middle School (PASCS). Before becoming the school principal, she served as the middle school’s vice principal for two years. PASCS is one of the iLearn Schools urban charter middle schools located on the border of Clifton and Passaic, New Jersey. The STEM-based urban charter school educates 411 students from grades 4-7 and 54 staff members.

Deniz has worked in K-12 urban school districts in New Jersey for 17 years in school management, teaching, counseling, innovation, mentorship, curriculum, instruction, and assessment. She holds two master’s degrees, one in Counseling Education and another in Educational Leadership. Her exceptional leadership skills build diverse, inclusive, collaborative, and respectful learning cultures centering on well-being, equity, and quality education. Deniz’s dissertation focuses on the use of technology in social and emotional learning. (Deniz Ismailoff Pictured above.)

M.A. Alum is the 2022-23 HUDSON COUNTY TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Congratulations Ariel Babcock (M.A. Ed Tech) ! She is the 2022-23 Teacher of the Year from Hudson County.

Ariel is a history teacher at Weehawken High School. “Ariel is always a positive person, a positive influence, always has the right attitude about everyone and loves to make learning fun,” Weehawken High Principal Robert Ferullo said. “She puts significant time in her lesson plans to engage the students and connect with them and make them feel like they have value and have a voice.” (Ariel Babcock Pictured above.)

M.A. Alum Leading INNOVATIVE CHARTER SCHOOL

Kudos to Erie Lugo (M.A. Ed Tech) who is the principal of the University Academy Charter High School. Erie has led this 430-student school for 15 years. His major achievements have been the establishment of a datadriven school culture, a one-to-one technology environment, and multimedia-based instructional initiatives.

He is currently working on the design and implementation of a Social Emotional Wellness Center to address the social emotional well-being and learning needs of all students. Erie is also currently supervising the renovations and expansions of the historic building’s infrastructure to support new science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) programming. (Erie Lugo pictured above.)

Cohort 2

Reunion

In September Doctoral Cohort 2 had a reunion in the Ironbound Section in Newark. A good time was had by all. (Cohort 2 pictured.)

M.A. Alum Leading ED TECH GLOBALLY

We’d like to profile M.A. Ed Tech Alum Ted Samaras. Ted is an Instructional Technology Coach in Franklin Township NJ. He is a Google for Education Certified Innovator and Trainer, and an Apple Learning Coach. He is the Co-Leader of the Google Educator Group (GEG) in New Jersey, a mentor for GEG Leaders in North America, and a leader for Google for Education’s US-Taiwan pilot mentorship program. Ted is also a social media ambassador for NASA.

Ted has been a presenter and contributor at multiple events such as ISTE (2019, 2021, 2022), NJECC, SPARCC, SparkCamp and Maratón Internacional (Mexico). He is also the founder of Recruit Helpers, a project that he started during his Google Innovator Academy. Recruit Helpers is a free website for student athletes to research and find contact infor- mation for college and coaches and organize virtual workbooks to assist during the recruiting process.

Ted has started his own podcast, “Ski Cap, Hoodie, and Shorts” where he discusses a wide range of topics including instructional technology, recipes, and everyday life. The podcast is now available on multiple platforms. (Ted Samaras pictured below.)

Spreading the Word AND NETWORKING WITH ALUM

In 2022 we’ve had the privilege of sharing our work, promoting our programs, and reconnecting with alum at the New Jersey Science Conference, the New Jersey Educational Association Convention, and the New Jersey School Libraries Conference.