School Curriculum Director Thrilled to Start Work

The Wyckoff school district's new director of curriculum is so thrilled to get started, she's already working, although her first day in the district isn't until July 26.

Dr. Jessica Anspach, an Oakland resident, was unanimously confirmed as the director of curriculum and instruction by the school board Monday night, taking over for the departed Michelle Pillari. 

"We're very excited to have you on board," said board President Anthony Robert Francin. Anspach "impressed everyone throughout the (interview) process," said interim Superintendent Richard Kuder.

Anspach is "so appreciative" of the opportunity to work in such a "warm, cohesive community."

Although she won't officially begin for another two weeks, Anspach said she's busy researching all she can find on the school district, its educational offerings and the community, in hopes of conquering the "learning curve" she is sure to encounter when she starts her job.

Anspach wants to be as knowledgeable as possible of the district's offerings when she begins but sees her role initially as one of "listening, getting a sense of the culture and climate.

"I don't come in with any preconceived ideas," she said.

Anspach does come in with experience though, having most recently served as the director of curriculum for the Ridgewood school district.

"I learned so much" in that administrative post, which came after years spent as both a classroom teacher and administrator in a variety of districts.

Anspach's undergraduate background is in creative writing and women's studies, and she holds two master's degrees—one in teaching and another in administration and supervision.

She started her career as a classroom teacher on the elementary level in Newark, where she also worked as a reading facilitator. Her principal there encouraged her to think about the administrative end of education, and Anspach pursued her advanced degrees while exploring her options as an educator.

Along the way, she worked for the Department of Education as a reading coach, serving in a variety of towns, and later was a language arts supervisor for five years in Manalapan. Anspach obtained her doctorate in administration from Seton Hall University in 2008, the same year she came to Ridgewood. Anspach lost her position this year due to the Ridgewood board's budget cuts.

Anspach "loved being in a classroom" but doesn't think she left educating behind when she became an administrator. In such a role, she will work closely with administrators and students to "understand what their needs are. It helps me to be a much better administrator," she said.

"I've had fabulous experiences at all ends of the spectrum."

Anspach, who will make $141,500 as director of curriculum, does not come into the role with any specific charge to make changes to curriculum, Francin said. However, she would be expected to review all curriculum and make suggestions as she sees fit.

"Her big thing will be to take a look at our educational programs as quickly as possible to determine any areas that could be in need of improvement and make suggestions."

Essentially, her role will be to "become the champion of curriculum" in the district. "We're valuing her expertise," Francin said, explaining that Anspach comes "highly recommended" from her prior employers.

"Everyone has just great things to say about her. We're really excited to have her here in Wyckoff."

Anspach said her prior experiences guide her work, but she's coming to Wyckoff with an open mind.

"I have a lot of ideas... but I don't have an agenda. I recognize each place is different.

"I don't want to be seen as a change agent—someone who comes in and tries to make big waves," she said.

Instead, she looks forward to meeting with her peers and parents, learning what their concerns are. 

After all, "people all want the same thing for their child. As a parent myself, I understand wholeheartedly that you are sending your kids away for the day" and need to have trust in teachers and administrators. "All decisions must be made in the best interest of the children," she said.

Anspach is "so excited" to start her new job. "It's vital, thrilling work. ... it's so rewarding."