Red Bank superintendent lauded for leadership

RED BANK — Borough Schools Superintendent Laura C. Morana was honored by the Association for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) for her work to ensure the academic success of young students.

During the May 10 Borough Council meeting, an excited Mayor Pasquale Menna pre-emptively announced Morana’s achievement on being recognized with the ACNJ’s Community Partners Award for her decades of work to improve public education in New Jersey.

“It’s wonderful to see that the entire state has recognized Dr. Morana as a person of distinction for having achieved so much progress in advancing our children’s education,” Menna said.

“It recognizes her instinctive appreciation for the value of education, and it also identifies her as a leader in terms of crafting creative solutions, especially in these difficult times, and for the role she’s played in advancing pre-K education.”

Menna said Morana’s good work has led to a more inclusive community.

“She brings the community together and does enormously good work,” Menna said. “We have a jewel in Laura Morana.”

During a meeting with the press on May 14, Morana expressed her gratitude for the award.

“I’m just delighted to have been a recipient. It’s another wonderful way to be able to represent Red Bank,” Morana said. “I’m honored, humbled and embarrassed. I’m being recognized for doing my job.”

Cecilia Zalkind, executive director of the ACNJ, a research and action organization, said Morana represents all of the leadership qualities that make a difference in the educational success of students, particularly those who are disadvantaged.

“She has effectively used her various positions as an educator to ensure that children enter school ready to learn and are given the finest academic opportunities at all grade levels,” Zalkind said in a statement issued by the ACNJ.

Morana, a New Providence resident, began her career as an educator in the Elizabeth School District in 1980 as a bilingual/ ESL teacher, eventually becoming principal of the district’s middle school. In 2003, she became the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in Piscataway. In 2006, she assumed the role of superintendent in the Red Bank Borough School District.

Over the years, Morana has led efforts to advance curriculum improvements from pre-K through 12th grade. She has fostered partnerships among school districts and local businesses and colleges. She has also successfully championed the critical link between home and school, Zalkind wrote.

“Educators like Ms. Morana are essential partners to our work,” Zalkind said. “Not only is she an effective educator, she understands the need to work at the policy level to influence broad changes that can help ensure school success for all New Jersey children.”

Morana received the award at ACNJ’s annual Members Meeting on May 13, held at The Leaguers, a community-service program that operates a Head Start program in Newark. The ACNJ Community Partners Award is given to individuals and organizations that have exhibited sustained support for and positively influenced the well-being of New Jersey children.

“I am grateful for this honor,” Morana said. “Educating our children is one of the most important challenges we face. I have been privileged over the years to work with so many dedicated teachers, parents and advocates, like ACNJ, to achieve our shared goal of providing New Jersey’s children with the best possible education.”

Morana explained that several initiatives, such as the recent Generations United program, which paired elder adults and pre- K students, are a result of the Red Bank Borough Public Schools’ partnership with the ACNJ.

“ACNJ is just an amazing advocacy group,” Morana said. “I have seen the benefit for Red Bank firsthand with Generations United.”

Morana said she is working with the ACNJ on implementing educational improvement initiatives, which would serve as a model for other school districts across the state.

“We’re working on implementing an imitative, which is basically an envelopment of an educational framework for districts to utilize throughout New Jersey,” Morana said. “It includes information on what pre- K through third-grade instructional models should look like.”

Through the ACNJ, Morana said, the district was selected to be a part of this pilot program, which includes providing details surrounding curriculum and grade alignment and guidelines surrounding the setting of family involvement and engagement in their child’s education.

The district is also responsible for detailing how other districts can provide their teachers and administrators with the necessary tools and instructional training to excel in their schools.

“I respect [ACNJ] so much,” said Morana. “They do an amazing job advocating at all levels. I’m honored to be associated with them.”

According to information from the ACNJ, the organization is a leading child research and advocacy organization in New Jersey. For 30 years ACNJ has advocated for policies and programs that are designed to improve the lives of children and families in New Jersey. Over the years, ACNJ’s issues have expanded from child welfare and juvenile justice to include early care and education, health and support for lowincome families.