Local News - Harring-Marro is new Mullica Township School District superintendent
A new academic year is starting at the Mullica Township School District, as well as a new leadership era. Brenda Harring-Marro, the former principal of Mullica Middle School, has become the new district superintendent and she is taking over control from former superintendent Richard Goldberg, who is retiring.
Harring-Marro, 39, said she's always been passionate about education and she would always....Continue Reading
"play school" with her friends while growing up in Buena. Harring-Marro got a bachelor's degree in elementary education from West Chester University. She started her education career in 1996 as an elementary school teacher in Winslow Township, Camden County, where she worked for ten years and later became a computer teacher, curriculum resource teacher and director of the 21st Century Community Learning Center.
Harring-Marro became the director of special projects in Buena for six months in 2006, working on programs for at-risk youths, such as Even Start and Comprehensive School Reform, before she joined the Mullica school district as the middle school principal. Harring-Marro said she moved into a leadership role because she believes she had more education experience to share with colleagues and she wanted to "make a difference with more children."
The new superintendent said her top goals for the district include enhancing programs for at-risk students and working on providing more supplemental work in reading, language arts and math for all students. At the same time, Harring-Marro said she wants to look at reading and writing across the curriculum and provide more researched-based instructional practices for students to help improve test scores. She also is starting a parent advisory council and is looking for volunteers willing to help out.
"I'm just honored to be in the position and to be able to provide an excellent education for the children of Mullica," the Williamstown, Gloucester County, resident said. "The staff is excellent and an exceptional group of professionals working very hard and dedicated to being the best they can be."
Harring-Marro's contract with the school district was up for approval Tuesday; she said her salary would be $116,000 per year to be the Mullica superintendent and $13,500 a year to be the Washington Township superintendent.
Goldberg and School Board President Spiro Malaspina said in an interview last week that the transition is going well and Harring-Marro has brought a lot of enthusiasm to the job.
Malaspina said he has been very impressed with Harring-Marro's "organization and energy."
"She's tackling big issues head-on and she's very prepared," he said. "Whenever she comes to an issue or meeting, she's done her homework and she is very enthusiastic. It's been very positive, from what I can tell."
Malaspina also expressed enthusiasm for the new Mullica Middle School principal, Matt Mazzoni, who worked as the vice principal of Buena Regional's Edgarton Memorial Elementary School. Mazzoni started his new job Monday.
Goldberg, who worked in Mullica for 36 years, is helping out until the end of the month. Goldberg said he will miss interacting with the school staff and students, although he looks forward to traveling with his wife during retirement.
Harring-Marro said she wants the public to know they can approach her with any educational questions or problems.
"My door is always open," Harring-Marro said. "I believe my role as an educational leader is to be an advocate for the children in the absence (of their parents.) So if they have any concerns, they can feel free to come and tell me."
Contact Michelle Lee: 609-272-7256 MLee@pressofac.com
This story was taken from the news source stated above. It's content and comments are not necessarily the opinion of The Elwood Vol. Fire Company or it's members.
