By Patricia Keller
WEST MILFORD - The West Milford School District welcomed Nina Pearsall to her new position as the K-12 Supervisor of Special Education for the district in late March.
According to Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alex Anemone, Pearsall has a B.A. in Education from Rowan University and a M.A. in Educational Leadership from Montclair State University.
She was previously Supervisor of Special Services in the Pequannock Township School District, and prior to that served as a teacher and principal in the Little Falls Public School District.
Pearsall, a graduate of the West Milford Public School system- having attended Maple Road, Macopin, and WMHS- is eager to come back to her roots.
Her career began as a preschool disabled teacher in Little Falls, where she worked for more than five years teaching preschool and an elementary self-contained classroom.
She then became the building principal of Little Falls School No. 2 elementary school for two years before deciding to return as an educational leader in special education.
Pearsall began in her position as K-8 Supervisor of Student Services in Pequannock Township in July, 2016.
She has also volunteered as an assistant technician for a high school drumline, a companion at a camp for children with cancer, and as advocacy chair for a local Relay for Life organization.
On Jan. 22, Pearsall was unanimously approved by the West Milford Board of Education for the position of supervisor of special services, districtwide, with a tentative start date of March 18 (pending release from previous employer) at the prorated annual salary of $110,000.00, with health benefits, through June 30 of this year.
Pearsall provided the following statement to be posted on the district website's “Special Services” page:
“I am excited to be able to give back to West Milford as our Supervisor of Special Services. Having been a West Milford graduate myself," she said in the statement, "I am proud of the programs and support offered to students, families, and the entire Highlander community. I began my career as a special education teacher and then became the building principal of the school where I taught. My passion for providing meaningful educational experiences for all students led me back to leadership in special education where I also served as a Supervisor of Student Services. Having these variety of experiences allows me to keep a broad lens and see the whole child. I look forward to collaborating with students, staff, families, and the community as partners in education.”