Vita
Barbara V. Strobert
95 Franklin Street
Secaucus, NJ 07094
201-865-3533
e-mail: bstrobert@comcast.net
Professional Preparation
Ed.D, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY Education Administration.
(Dissertation topic: School Choice)
M.A., New Jersey City University, Jersey City, NJ Major: Mathematics Education.
B.A., Montclair University, Montclair, NJ Major: Mathematics.
Additional graduate work completed at Seton Hall University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and Saint Peter's College.
Professional Experiences and Accomplishments
1/2004-Present Assistant Professor, Department of Education Leadership, Management and Policy, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ
7/2002-12/2003 Consultant 1/2002-6/2002 Education Program Officer, Wallace Funds, NY,NY
6/2001-12/2002 Clinical Professor of Education, Fordham University
Director of Teacher Intern Programs
2/2001-6/2001 Interim Principal, Roberge School, River Vale, NJ
1995-2000 Superintendent of Schools, Essex Fells, NJ (Retired)
Major Achievements: Provided leadership in the complete revision of the teaching and learning process through the full integration of technology in all aspects of the educational program and through teaching methodologies new to the district. Effected an improvement in student performance on standardized tests. Test scores were at the 90"' percentile or higher in all areas.
100% of the fourth grade students passed all sections of the ESPA (state tests). Introduced new staff performance evaluation systems. Introduced a comprehensive staff development initiative that resulted in improved teaching pedagogy and higher staff morale. Introduced a foreign language program , a study skills program, and a reading buddy program pairing primary grade students with upper elementary students. Revitalized the mathematics, science, language arts, social studies, and primary grade programs. Improved communications with parents and Board members through weekly bulletins. Planned for and supervised a $2 million building project.
1987-1995 Principal, Watchung Science/Technology Magnet School Montclair, New Jersey
· Twice led Watchung School to recognition as a Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education (1990 and 1994).
· Led Watchung School to recognition as New Jersey's Best School in the Redbook Magazine America's Best Schools Recognition Program (April, 1995).
· Led Watchung School to designation as a Beat Practice School and a Star School by the New Jersey Department of Education (June, 1994).
· Designed a model elementary school mathematics and science program recognized by a $150,000 grant from the State of New Jersey and Nabisco, Inc.
· Designed and implemented a Parents as Partners program that won a major state award.
· Awarded a School of the Future grant from the Schumann Foundation to demonstrate innovative uses of educational technology.
· Awarded a New Jersey State Elementary Science grant to create a physical science curriculum for upper elementary grades.
· Awarded a grant from the Exxon Corporation to develop an energy curriculum.
· Awarded one of the nation's first federal environmental education grants.
· Established school/university partnerships with Rutgers University and Montclair State College.
· Established school/business partnerships with Exxon, A T & T, Hoffman La Roche, and other businesses.
· Encouraged and facilitated staff professional development that resulted in an unprecedented number of teacher awards (A+ for Kids, Presidential Award, Environmental Education Awards, Governor's Teachers’ Grant, etc.).
Fall, 2002 Montclair University, Graduate School of Education Adjunct Professor, Educational Leadership
Spring 2001 Fordham University, Graduate School of Education Field Supervisor for MAT students
1992-1999 Adjunct Professor, Teachers College, Columbia University, Department of Organization & Leadership
Courses taught: "Leadership and Institutional Analysis" "Overview of Administration"
Doctoral Dissertation Advisor
1994-1996 Adjunct Professor, Caldwell College, Caldwell, New Jersey
Courses Taught: "Integrating Technology in the Classroom" "Curriculum Development" "Advanced Technology"
1985-1987 Director of Special Projects, Montclair, New Jersey
· Served as a special assistant to the Superintendent.
· Administered federal and state funded programs.
· Developed and monitored grant budgets and coordinated activities with the business office.
· Successfully developed district-wide and individual school grants, including state and federally supported magnet school programs, an alternative education program for disruptive middle and high school students, an effective schools elementary program, a civics project and a gifted/talented dissemination project.
· Served as liaison to federal and state agencies and legislative bodies and lobbied for educational initiatives of interest to the district.
1978-1985 Director of Gifted & Talented Programs, Assistant Principal, Union City, New Jersey
§ Created the city's first elementary magnet school. Designed curriculum; trained, supervised and evaluated magnet school staff" established student selection criteria" administered all
§ aspects of the magnet school program, including funding and budget management.
§ Developed and directed the Convocation Model Project, a national model project and teacher training program funded al $240,000 through the United States Department of Education. Project trained over 1 000 teachers and served over 4000 students in New Jersey. Project was disseminated throughout the United States.
§ Developed a bilingual gifted program that received a major award from the United States Office of Education.
§ Secured and administered various federal grants for the district.
§ Conducted staff development training programs in a wide variety of areas, including effective classroom strategies, developing problem-solving skills, and using technology.
§ Coordinated district wide technology programs.
§ Developed and supervised district-wide academic enrichment programs.
§ Served as liaison to state and federal agencies and legislative bodies. Successfully participated in drafting educational legislation.
§ Initiated and obtained funding for a county-wide middle school program for gifted disadvantaged students.
§ Awarded $50,000 to establish and fund a city-wide peer leadership training program.
§ Established a school/university partnership with St. Peter's College.
1971-1978 Mathematics Department Chairperson, Emerson High School Union City, New Jersey
· Chaired Middle States Evaluation Team.
· Chaired district mathematics/science curriculum committees. Taught all mathematics courses offered in the high school. Supervised the introduction of technology to the district.
Honors, Awards, Recognitions
Allan Morehead Memorial Award, Montclair University, 'eOO2 Alumni Citation Award, Montclair University, 1999 NJASCD Outstanding Educator Award, 1995
NAESP National Distinguished Principal Award, 1994 Appearance on CBS This Morning, September, 1995 Recipient of a Dodge Foundation Fellowship for Principals, 1992.
Honors award from the National Association for Elementary School Principals, 1990 and 1994
Mentor Principal for New Jersey's Principal's Certification Program, 1990-present.
Invited Participant in Forum on Education: Goals 2000 and the Principal's Role sponsored by United States Department of Education and McGraw-Hill, Washington, D.C., 1994
Member of the New American Schools Development Corporation's Evaluation Panel to select "break the mold" new school designs, 1992.
Panelist for the Fund for the Reform and Improvement of Schools and Teaching Program, United States Department of Education, 1992.
Panelist for Secretary's Fund for Innovation in
Education, Computer Based Instruction Program, United States Department of Education, 1993.
Outstanding Performance in the Sciences Award, Montclair Women's History Month, 1992.
Doctoral Dissertation cited by the president of Teacher's College, Columbia University, as indicative of the significance and quality of doctoral research at the college, May 1991 Commencement,:.
Appearance on several television news programs including programs on CNN, WWOR, NBC, NJN and PBS.
Board/Committee Memberships
Chairperson, Advisory Board, Principals' Center of the Garden State, Princeton University, 1993-1995
Member N.J. State Department of Education Team to develop a statewide fourth grade assessment test, 1998
Member Secaucus, N.J. Board of Education , 1993-199!5
Member New Jersey Department of Education Blue Ribbon Schools Review Panel, 1994
Planning Committee Member, Systemic Statewide initiative for Mathematics, Science and Technology - 1993
Member New Jersey Mathematics Curriculum Framework Taskforce, 1993 -1994
Professional Writing
Factors Influencing Parental Choice In Selection of a Magnet School. Dissertation at Teachers College, Columbia University, Published by U. M. I., Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1991.
"A District Model for Technology." Technology In Today's Schools. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 199O
"The Convocation Model Project, A Creative Approach to the Study of Science for Gifted Disadvantaged Youngsters" (with Frank Alvarez). The Elementary School Journal. University of Chicago Press, January, 1982.
"Media for the Gifted Child." Interact Magazine. New Jersey Department of Education, 1981.
"Convocations: Problem Solving Seminars." NJEA Review, December, 1980.
Selected Presentations
"Integrating Technology in the Elementary Schools", NJASA Spring Conference, Atlantic City, May, 1997.
"Creating a Culture of Caring", Principals' Institute, Princeton University, February, 1996.
"Writing Teacher Evaluations and Conferencing Teachers", Principals' Institute, Princeton University, February, 1996.
Speaker, Presidential Invited Faculty Address, Montclair State University, March, 1996.
"Rethinking Schools", Caldwell College Community Lecture Series, December, 1995.
Keynote Address, "Schools and Technology", Kean College Spring Symposium, April, 1995.
Panel on "Restructuring Elementary Schools", Redoing School: An Examination of School Restructuring, Teachers College, Columbia University, June, 1995.
"Integrating Mathematics, Science and Technology", NCTM Conference, Somerset, N.J., 1994
"Differentiated Grouping", Montclair Public Schools Summer Training Program.
Featured Presenter for Videoconference: Effective School Restructuring, February, and April, 1993 presented by the Satellite Educational Resources Consortium.
"Panel: Choice in School"--America 2000 Leadership Conference, Boston, September,1992.
"Technology in Today's Schools"--ASCD Conference, San Francisco, March 1991.
"Technical Manpower and Competitiveness (Pre-College Math and Science Education)"--Engineering Societies Government Affairs Conference, Washington, D.C. March 1990.
"Montclair's Magnets, Schools of Choice"--NCSD Annual Conference, Philadelphia a, March 1986.
"Alternative Schools, Design for Success"--NJEA Conference: Investing in Our Youth'. A Blueprint for Drop Out Prevention, May 1986.
"Ideas for Successful Programs"--NJEA Convention, November 1985.
"Urban Academic Program"--NJEA Exceptional Child Conference, NJ, March, 1985. "What's Happening in Multicultural Education?"--Kean College, July 1982. "Computers for the Gifted"--New Jersey State Secondary School Gifted and Talented
Conference, Rutgers University, March 1982.
"Prospectives on Gifted/Talented Education: National and State Viewpoints"-- Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Conference, New York, May 1980.
"Convocations - Federal Model Project"-- Multicultural Education'. An Imperative for the 80's State Conference, October 1980.
"Convocation Model Project"--Training workshops given in 14 states, 1980-1!)82.
Certifications (New Jersey)
School Administrator, Principal/Supervisor. Student Personnel Services; Teacher
References Available on request