New Assistant Principal Of Mahwah School Chosen Out of 86 Applicants

MAHWAH, NJ — Her positive attitude and indication that she is willing to put in the work were among the reasons why Asha Edwards was chosen from a pool of applicants to become the new assistant principal of Lenape Meadows Elementary School in Mahwah, the district's administrative team said.

After three rounds of interviews, Edwards was identified as the best-fit candidate out of 86 applicants, Assistant Superintendent Dennis Fare said. Her appointment was approved by the Mahwah Board of Education at Wednesday's meeting.

She will take over for Assistant Principal Dorothy Eason, who has served the district for six years and recently submitted her resignation, Fare said.

Fare highlighted specific qualities about the newly appointed Edwards that her references shared with administration during the interview process, including her effectiveness as a team player and an instructional leader.

"(Edwards) assists teachers when they are experiencing difficulty, and she is an 'in-the-trenches' type of individual," Fare said a reference said of her. "She respects those above her and works collaboratively with leaders."

During her interviews with the district, Fare said, she also exuded warmth and expressed openness to learn the nuances of the district to achieve success.

"We look forward to welcoming (Edwards) on Sept. 27, when she will begin here in Mahwah," he said in a statement.

Superintendent Michael DeTuro said that the district does not take the hiring process for a position like this lightly, and that that a lot of feedback was incorporated to make sure administration understood the "culture and climate" of the school to move education forward.

"I just want to take a moment to thank those involved in this process to help (the district) come to this decision," DeTuro said.