In Superintendent Ponds' Back to School letter he introduced the district's newest administrators. We'll profile each of them with brief bios over the next few weeks so our families and community members get to know them better. We warmly welcome them to Montclair!
Brenda Coe
Nishuane School Assistant Principal
Before becoming an administrator, Ms. Coe served as a teacher, mentor, curriculum leader, and curriculum supervisor. She's also an adjunct faculty member at Montclair State University, where she works to support future educators.
“As I enter my 21st year in education in Montclair Public Schools, I continue to stay passionate about exploring new ideas, supporting staff, partnering with families, and finding new ways to meet the needs of all learners,” she said. Her most recent focus has been working with staff members to support schoolwide training and resources for culturally responsive teaching and equity.
“I believe all learners need an engaging academic environment where they can grow mentally, emotionally, and socially. I look forward to working with Nishuane’s caring and dedicated teaching staff to provide high quality instruction, intentional to the needs of all learners,” she added.
“It is my goal to support the efforts previously established at Nishuane but to further collaborate and connect with the community to begin planning ways in which we can continue to grow the Nishuane experience for children.”
Maggie Dock
District Mental Health/Anti-Bullying Coordinator
Ms. Maggie Dock has dedicated herself to serving families through the public school system and as a private clinician for over 20 years. She began her mental health career in Essex County as a Family Therapist with Family Intervention Services. Through this work, she developed a mission to engage and empower families and to inspire students to be empathetic, socially-aware, and resilient.
Ms. Dock continued her journey by becoming a teacher and later became a middle-school counselor, engaging in various leadership roles specializing in the area of social-emotional character development, through her participation in the Rutgers’ “Developing Safe & Civil Schools” Initiative. During this time, she became one of the first Anti-Bullying Specialists in New Jersey and realized her greater calling was to serve school communities as a School Counseling Administrator.
“I am motivated by the district’s dedication and mission to serving the ‘whole child’ and with the level of diversity that the Montclair community embraces,” she said. “I look forward to my roles as I aim to enhance and expand upon the district’s school climate initiatives, bring light to the importance of supporting the mental health of students and staff, and seek opportunities to celebrate the diversity and talents of the Montclair Public Schools community.”
Dr. Lisa Rollins
Glenfield Middle School Interim Principal
Dr. Lisa M. Rollins is a dedicated educator with more than 20 years of exemplary service, including ten years at the college level. She currently serves as the Interim Principal at Glenfield Middle School — home of the Cougars! Dr. Rollins has been in the Montclair family for four years, serving as the Title 1 Supervisor housed at Glenfield and as a teacher. During her tenure in education, Dr. Rollins has held a variety of positions, including K-8 teacher, Literacy Specialist, Dean of Discipline, Supervisor of Humanities, and Vice Principal. At the collegiate level, she has served as a Director of Financial Aid, adjunct professor, and Educational Opportunity Fund counselor.
Believing passionately in the power of education to expand human potential, transform lives, and shape new visions for leading and learning, Dr. Rollins prides herself in being an advocate for those students who do not have a voice and have given up hope for access to higher education. She is also a strong activist for students with special needs and provides guidance to families regarding state and federal programs.
Dr. Rollins is happy to return to her Glenfield family where together they are reestablishing the brand: “The Pride of Glenfield.” Dr. Rollins has been commended for her leadership, cultural responsiveness, equity, integrity, reflective practice, and servant leadership.
Tameka Stafford
Supervisor of Special Education
Tameka Stafford is a Montclair native who attended and graduated from the Montclair Public Schools. She attended Tuskegee University, where she earned a B.S. degree in Biology and became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She also has a master’s degree in Special Education from New Jersey City University and a second master’s in Educational Leadership from Montclair State University.
Ms. Stafford’s teaching career began in 1999 in Petersburg, Virginia, as a special education biology teacher. In 2000, she joined the Montclair Public Schools and has served as a special education teacher for more than 20 years. Additionally, she taught at the collegiate level at Montclair State University as part of the Newark Montclair Urban Teacher Residency.
Ms. Stafford has been the recipient of the Judy and Josh Weston Award for Excellence in Teaching and is a two-time recipient of the Governor’s Educator of the Year award. She has also received a certificate of appreciation at the NAACP Celebration of Excellence for Montclair Educators and has been toasted by Montclair families for her ability to work effectively with students with specific learning and emotional needs through the Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence.
Ms. Stafford is honored to have been selected to be Montclair’s newest Supervisor of Pupil Services; strives to be an effective leader, supporting teachers, paraeducators, child study team members, and related service providers. One of her goals is to provide meaningful professional development to paraeducators and teachers and review the resources used by special education teachers. Her mantra is “one size doesn’t fit all” and she believes in always remaining teachable.