Maplewood School Board Approves 3 For New Positions

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The South Orange-Maplewood school board approved three directors in the district at their Dec. 15 meeting.

The current assistant principal of Clinton Elementary School, Zoila Correa, was appointed the director of curriculum and instruction for the district.

Tunde Adedoyin has been appointed director of human resources.

Kerri Waibel has been appointed director of access & equity.

The district issued the following release with information about the new directors:

Zoila A. Correa brings over 20 years of educational experience with extensive knowledge of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) as well as the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Prior to joining the District, Correa served as a Middle School Mathematics teacher for West New York's Board of Education. While there, she also served as the District Master Teacher of Mathematics for K -6, where she addressed the instructional needs of 175+ educators by reinforcing and enhancing teaching practices through innovative learning techniques. In this role, she also analyzed relevant performance data, revised curricula, planned and implemented professional development for teachers and enhanced classroom instruction through many methodologies.

Correa also has a tremendous personal success story as a daughter of immigrants and a first-generation citizen, her passion and commitment to student success (academic and social-emotional) is palpable. She received two Master’s Degrees in both Educational Leadership and the Art of Teaching and completed her undergraduate degree from New Jersey City University in Psychology and Elementary Education. She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership with a specialization in Curriculum and Instruction with an anticipated completion date of March 2023.

Superintendent Dr. Ronald Taylor said, “We are always pleased when we are able to leverage and promote the skillsets of an internal candidate.” He added, “as the current assistant principal at Clinton Elementary, Ms. Correa has proven herself to be an empathetic leader and has had a tremendous impact on school operations. We believe her familiarity with the District’s educational and community objectives will continue to make a difference in always keeping curriculum goals at the forefront for students’ success.”

Tunde Adedoyin, the incoming director of human resources, is replacing Stacey Robinson who is retiring at the end of the year.

Adedoyin is an alumnus of SOMSD with over 16 years of Human Resource experience in the education sector. In his current role, he serves as the manager, human resources at Hackensack Public Schools where he serves as a member of the district’s leadership team and collaborates with the other units on district initiatives, strategy, management and overall direction. He brings extensive knowledge of human capital, collective bargaining, performance evaluation, strategic and business planning, policy development, employee relations and change management.

Adedoyin received his Master's Degree in Educational Administration from Montclair University and completed his undergraduate degree from St. John’s University in Criminal Justice. He has previously held roles in the Teaneck, Trenton, Orange and Newark Public School Districts. He will begin his role with the District in mid-February.

Finally, Kerri Waibel has been appointed the director, access & equity for SOMSD and brings more than 20 years of experience in education, with roles as a teacher, principal and former director, curriculum & instruction.

Throughout Waibel’s teaching and leadership tenure, she has continually provided support and resources to students, teachers, and administrators. In addition, Waibel expanded access to student programming and increased achievement for all students in the area of Algebra 1, STEAM, ELA, and mathematics. She also created and implemented restorative practices to support student’s social and emotional growth, reduce time out of school for discipline and build positive relationships between children, families, and the school community.

Waibel has a plethora of experiences in the area of educational equity, that include presenting via professional opportunities on the topics of Equity in Action, Culturally Responsive Practice and Sexual Health Education Implementation etc. She also demonstrated real-world positive equity outcomes for her students including the reduction of inequities of student suspension and disciplinary actions, removing the tracking of K-8 classes, and the holistic implementation of diversity into the curriculum. She holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and an undergraduate degree from Montclair University. She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership, her dissertation is in part on the Fidelity of the Comprehensive Equity Plan.

“We are pleased to have these key central office roles filled with such high caliber candidates,” said Taylor. “Their breadth of experience will enable the district to continue to serve the needs of students and staff and expand our ability to implement key initiatives.”