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ROSS DANIS, Ed.D.
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Cell: 973-479-8766
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Professional Experience
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2010-2011
2009-2010
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Executive Director-The Newark Education Trust
Establish and lead an independent, organization that develops ideas, coordinates efforts, aligns resources, and holds all of us accountable for raising student achievement and providing a quality education for all children in Newark, NJ
Associate Dean of Education - Drew University, Madison, NJ
Establish Drew University as a leader in K-12 education. Develop “break the mold” teacher education programs that prepare both pre and in-service teachers with the skills and dispositions required to meet the needs of a complex and rapidly changing world. Develop “alternatives” to alternate route programs that will prepare teachers in high need disciplines to work in high need districts. Focus on developing and implementing state and national education policies that expand access to educational excellence.
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2009 -Present
2000 –2009
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International Clinical Professor- Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ
Provide world class educational experiences for educators around the globe.
DIRECTOR, EDUCATION PROGRAM- Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Morristown, NJ
Lead, organize and administer all of the Foundation’s educational grantmaking and initiatives. Additional responsibilities include soliciting, reviewing, and making funding recommendations for imaginative proposals within the areas of education, the arts, and the environment. Programs and initiatives that are supported by the Foundation must hold promise to have impact, be replicable, and effect systemic change.
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1997 – 2000
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ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS - Randolph Township School District, Randolph, NJ
Responsible for all K-12 curriculum and instruction in a six school 5,000 student, high performing suburban district with a $45 million budget. Work closely with the Education Committee of the Board of Education. Represented the interests of the Board in contract negotiations with the 415-member teacher association. Participated in all aspects of budget preparation, community relations, facilities planning and management. Developed a consortium for staff development within Morris County. Dramatically increased results-driven, staff and organizational development opportunities. Initiated a district-wide shift toward developmentally appropriate practice. Restructured district assessment of instruction. Organized school-based study groups focused on specific instructional issues. Facilitated a community review of the K-12 Family Life Curriculum.
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1999 – 2008
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NATIONAL FACULTY - Educational Leadership Appraisal and Educational Leadership and Change, National Ed.D. Program for Educational Leaders, LEAD FACULTY - 2001-2004, Nova Southeastern University, N. Miami, FL
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1997 – Present
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ADJUNCT FACULTY - “The Heart and Soul of Leadership,” a doctoral level course offered as part of the Executive Ed.D. program, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ.
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2000 – 2005
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ADJUNCT FACULTY - “Leadership and Change” a master’s level course offered as part of a principal training program, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ
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1993 – 1997
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PRINCIPAL* - Clinton Public School, Clinton, NJ
Strong emphasis on integrated, holistic learning experiences. Introduced a program to foster citizenship in young people. Developed a strong relationship between the school and the community. Expanded staff development opportunities and assessment strategies. Transformational involvement with principle-centered leadership. Presented a series of workshops for the community on scheduling and grouping patterns for K-8 program. Started a 24-hour “Learning Line” to access classroom updates and facilitate communication with the community. Facilitated the publication of Teacher as Researcher – an in-house journal for educators and parents.
Created grade level “Learning Outcomes” for parents and staff. Initiated a countywide center for organizational and professional development. Opened a “School Within a School” with an emphasis on community service. Piloted a non-graded multi-age primary program.
*Subject of a 1996-97 documentary on leadership, funded by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, entitled "Quicksand and Banana Peels: A Year in the Life of Two School Principals," New Jersey Network and PBS affiliate broadcast.
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1990 – 1993
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DISTRICT PROGRAM SUPERVISOR- Parsippany-Troy Hills, Parsippany, NJ
K-12 Social Studies curriculum assessment, revision and implementation. Supervised and evaluated social studies staff and department heads in a large ethnically and economically diverse school district.
Staff Development: Spearheaded a district-wide movement toward cooperative learning. Designed and delivered: “Beyond Discipline: Needs-Based Management for Secondary Schools,” advanced level effective teaching strategies and extensive programs in content-based thinking skills instruction.
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1987 – 1990
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EDUCATION PROGRAM SPECIALIST - Academy for the Advancement of Teaching & Management, Edison, NJ
Designed and delivered state-of-the-art educational staff development programs. Maximized professional growth and development opportunities for New Jersey educators. Translated educational research into practice. Provided follow-up in the use of instructional skills for New Jersey educators. Courses Designed: Critical Thinking, Models of Discipline, Restructuring Schools. Courses Delivered: Instructional Theory Into Practice (ITIP), Advanced ITIP, Cooperative Learning, Classroom Management, Self-Esteem, Critical Thinking, and Restructuring Schools. Project Director: Initiated and implemented “Perspectives ’89: Thinking for Tomorrow,” a one year project culminating in a highly successful conference that explored issues and education trends facing New Jersey educators.
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1984 – 1987
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SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER/STAFF DEVELOPMENT TRAINER- Central Regional Middle School, Bayville, NJ
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1979 – 1983
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SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER: 7-12, Pinelands Regional H.S., Tuckerton, NJ
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Publications
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“The Leader as an Anthropologist,” Qualities for Effective Leadership: School Leaders Speak, Rowman and Littlefield, Inc., Landham, MD., 2006
“Of Hairdressers and Master Teachers,” Reflections of First-Year Teachers on School Culture: Questions, Hopes, and Challenges, Josey-Bass, Inc., San Francisco, CA., 1999.
“A Song of Learning” forward to The Principal Learner: A Work in Progress, Roland Barth, International Network of Principals’ Centers, Cambridge, MA., 1997.
“What’s So Funny?” Practical Principal, Spring, 1996.
“Making Connections” Teacher as Researcher, Spring, 1995.
“Philosophical and Practical Considerations for Staff Development in Critical Thinking” NJ State Department of Education Monograph, 1990.
“In Search of Individual Excellence” School Leader, Sept. 1988.
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Awards
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Kathleen Cooper Wright Award, Nova Southeastern University’s Distinguished Honor in recognition of outstanding achievement in serving the educational needs of students as demonstrated by school improvement projects, 1999.
Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation Fellow, Summer Opportunity Award for Principals, 1994
Educational Practicioner, Academy for the Advancement of Teaching and Management, 1987
Rotary Fellow, professional exchange to India and Sri Lanka, 1983
Teacher of the Year, 1981, Pinelands Regional School District, Tuckerton, NJ
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Professional Memberships
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Board of Trustees, Young Audiences New Jersey
Board of Trustees, NJEA’s Center for Teaching and Learning
Past President, Board of Trustees, Principals’ Center for the Garden State
Advisory Board, Liberty Science Center
Community Advisory Board, New Jersey Network
National Staff Development Council
Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development
Principal and Supervisor Association
New Jersey Association of School Administrators
New Jersey Council for Education
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Education
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Ed.D., Education Administration, Nova Southeastern University,
Ft. Lauderdale, FL, July 1998.
Master of Arts, Curriculum & Administration with attendant Supervision, Principal & Chief School Administrator Certifications, Georgian Court College, Lakewood, NJ, June 1990.
Bachelor of Arts, Social Studies Education, Trenton State College, Trenton, NJ, May 1979.
Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government – “The Art and Practice of Leadership Development,” 2002.
Harvard University Graduate School of Education, Principals’ Center – “The Art and Craft of the Principal,” 1994.
Certified and licensed trainer “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People – Covey Leadership Center, Provo, UT., 1994.
REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
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