Principal Chosen For Lincoln Early Childhood Center In Westfield

WESTFIELD, NJ — Dr. Tiffany Jacobson, who has served as interim principal of Westfield's Lincoln Early Childhood Center for the past year, will formally become the principal on July 1.

The Westfield Board of Education unanimously approved her for the position at its board meeting Tuesday night.

Jacobson was first appointed last summer to succeed Lincoln Principal Audrey Zavatz, who retired July 31.

Jacobson also is an adjunct professor of education at Saint Peter’s University, where she received her doctorate in Educational Leadership in 2015.

“I am humbled and honored to be able to continue leading and supporting the educational initiatives that impact our youngest learners,” says Jacobson. “The Lincoln School community is welcoming, caring, and resilient and I am proud to be a part of it. I look forward to the year ahead as we work together to support the academic, social, and emotional development of our students.”

Over the past year, Jacobson has been in charge of the daily operation of Lincoln School, overseeing the health, safety, and well-being of 254 students and approximately 80 staff members.

“Throughout this past year, our staff remained resolute in their commitment to our youngest learners and our families were overwhelmingly supportive of our efforts,” says Jacobson. “Our students have made functional, academic, social and emotional gains. As this school year comes to a close, it is clear our youngest learners are happy and eager to build friendships.”

“It is no small feat to step into a school leadership role in the middle of a pandemic," said Superintendent of Schools Margaret Dolan. "As interim principal, Dr. Jacobson has handled this challenging year with grace and professionalism, always with the best interests of the students at the forefront of every decision. As Lincoln School principal, I am confident that she will continue to excel, as she and her team look forward to September.”

Dolan notes that Jacobson is “particularly well-versed in early literacy skills” and has a Reading Specialist certificate in addition to her advanced degrees.

Background

While at Saint Peter’s University, Jacobson she earned a Master’s degree in Education in 2005 and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education in 2003. Additionally, she holds a Master’s in Literacy Education from New Jersey City University, which she earned in 2007.

Jacobson joined Westfield in 2017 as K-12 Supervisor of English/Language Arts, overseeing writing and revision of curriculum documents, facilitating professional development centered on research-based best practices in literacy instruction and library media sciences, and supervising approximately 180 teachers, both English Language Arts educators in grades K-12 and Library Media Specialists in grades K-8.

She says some of her “proudest accomplishments” as ELA supervisor include:

• playing an instrumental role in developing and implementing the Standards-Based Report Card for Kindergarten through grade five;
• leading a committee of K-5 teachers to design reading and writing units of study based on the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project (TCRWP);
• implementing the Wilson FUNdations word study program districtwide in grades K-2; and
• helping the district’s 14 elementary literacy coaches to create and turnkey staff training at the building levels.

Jacobson also served as committee chairperson of the Diversity in Texts Committee, which audited existing district-approved ELA titles for themes and topics pertaining to inclusiveness, diversity, and equity.

She worked with the district’s instructional technology teacher to develop a digital bookshelf linking relevant resources for interactive read-alouds for children in grades K through 5, expanded the secondary school selections to challenge implicitly held biases, and curated suggested summer reading. Jacobson also lent her expertise to several other committees as well, including the district Professional Development and Technology committees.

Before joining Westfield, Jacobson spent nearly three years in the Metuchen School District as K-12 Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction and five years as a literacy coach in the Union City School District, where she also taught middle school English and social studies for five years.

Jacobson was appointed last summer as interim Lincoln principal to give the district and the Board enough time to conduct a thorough search and a fair process. Forty-eight candidates applied for the position with an interview committee carefully reviewing each application.

In addition to Dr. Dolan and Human Resources Specialist Barbara Ball, the interview committee for the Lincoln School position included an elementary school principal, two Lincoln teachers, a Lincoln parent, a district supervisor, and one board member.

“It is my sincere desire to continue providing the staff and families of Lincoln School with the long term leadership necessary to traverse into a meaningful and stable post-pandemic educational experience,” says Jacobson.

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