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Dear Parents and Friends,
It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that I welcome you to the J. Harvey Rodgers School for the 2023-2024 school year. I am truly honored to continue my educational career path within the Glassboro Public School District as I enter into my fourth year as principal of the J. Harvey Rodgers School and my fourteenth year in the Glassboro School District. I spent ten years as an elementary classroom teacher and subsequently a district administrator in the Glassboro School District. During that time, I found that Rodgers School was a place where strong connections are made between home and school and staff members are committed to developing the whole child.
Professionally, I possess over fourteen years of experience in the field of education and I am licensed as an Elementary Teacher, Special Education Teacher, Supervisor and School Principal. I received a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Widener University and began my career in the corporate world analyzing data and marketing trends for a publicly traded, Fortune 1000 company. With my mom being an educator for almost 40 years and motivated by my own positive experiences in school, I knew my path was ultimately to work with children in the field of education. With that goal in mind, I went on to earn my first Master of Education degree in Elementary Education and Special Education at Holy Family University. Upon graduation, I was hired in Glassboro as a 3rd grade special education teacher in an inclusion classroom. I spent the next seven years teaching 2nd and 3rd grade as a special education teacher at the Dorothy L. Bullock Elementary School.
While I enjoyed every moment of being in the classroom, I knew there was more I could be doing for our children, for our district and for the community. Once again, I enrolled in school and began working towards my second Master of Education degree in School Administration, this time at Rowan University. During that time, I gained valuable experience as Head Teacher at the Dorothy L. Bullock Elementary School. Once I received my degree, I became the Supervisor of Basic Skills for the district and I have held that position for the last three years. However, it may be more important for you to know that I am a parent of an 11-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter as well. I fully understand the challenges and rewards you face every day as you work to ensure your child has the best educational experience.
One of the most important aspects of my work here at the J. Harvey Rodgers School will be building strong relationships with the students, teachers, and families. I will be active and engaged. I will be present, approachable and I will always have an open door. I will not manage by sitting behind a desk. You will find me in the hallways, in the classrooms and on the playground. I will know your child(ren) because their educational success and preparation for the future will be my purpose. My passion has been and always will be educating children. With that in mind, you can expect that I will work diligently with teachers to make sure our students, your children, are exposed to curriculum and instruction that is both engaging and challenging. Remember, I have an open-door policy and welcome your input and ideas. I truly look forward to meeting each one of you as we start this new and exciting year together!
Sincerely,
Melanie Sweeney
msweeney@gpsd.us
J. Harvey Rodgers Principal
