The South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education appointed Alyna Jacobs as the new principal of South Mountain Elementary School and its Annex tonight at its monthly meeting.
Jacobs is not only a parent of a student at South Mountain but is also a graduate of the school.
But she has other experience and qualifications:
Jacobs received a B.S. in Art History from Rutgers University in 2002 and an M.A. in International Education in 2005 from New York University and an M.A. in Education from Brooklyn College in 2007. Jacobs has served as assistant principal at P.S. 139 in Brooklyn, New York since August 2015. From 2005-2015, she served as an elementary teacher, lead teacher, part-time literacy coach and math coach in New York schools.
The district lauded Jacobs’ experience in a statement from the committee recommending Jacobs: “Ms. Jacobs’ work as an instructional leader, school building leader, [with] staff development, technology integrations, community programs and PTA activities, her strengths to cultivate relationships with students, staff and families to ensure that all students’ education and social needs are met are just some of the highlights of Ms. Jacobs’ background that support this recommendation.”
“As a parent of a current South Mountain School student, my family and I have quickly grown to love the school at the center of this wonderful community,” said Jacobs. It is a true honor to be appointed as Principal of South Mountain School, a role that will allow me the privilege of returning to my alma mater to make a positive impact on the next generation of Superstars.”
