Heather DeLollis

In 1989, I came to New Jersey from Rhode Island to attend Rutgers University in New Brunswick. After graduating from Rutgers with degrees in English and Psychology, I attended Kean College as part of the post baccalaureate teacher certification program. I received certifications in English, Elementary Education and as a Teacher of the Handicapped.

My early work experiences were as a paraprofessional in out of district placements and as a self contained classroom teacher in another public school district, working with children with emotional and behavioral disabilities. In working with middle school and high school students with disabilities, many of them struggled in the area of literacy. This lead to me applying to graduate school to become a reading specialist.

Through the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University, I obtained a master’s degree as a reading specialist and a second master’s degree in educational administration and supervision. In 2003, while working on my reading specialist degree, I met a teacher in my program who worked at Schoenly School. She encouraged me to apply for an opening in the Spotswood School District. That September, I began working as a special education teacher and reading specialist at Appleby School.

During my time in the Spotswood School District, I have had the opportunity to have various professional experiences. I have had the pleasure of working as a special education teacher, reading specialist and ABA teacher in both Appleby and Schoenly Schools. In 2009, I was named Schoenly School Teacher of the Year, as well as The Spotswood School District Teacher of the Year and The Middlesex County Teacher of the Year. In 2013, I became the Department Chair for Special Education K-12 and three years later, the Director of Special Services.

Through my many years in The Spotswood School District, I have worked with hundreds of administrators, faculty, staff and students. Witnessing some of my students, as they journeyed from preschool at Schoenly School to walking across the stage at high school graduation, has been one of my most rewarding experiences.