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Teachers College, Columbia University
Teachers College
Columbia University

For more information call:
212-678-3291

11/12/2007 ~ 11/13/2007 at  Cowin Center, Teachers College

Frank Alvarez

Superintendent
Montclair School District, New Jersey

Presentation Topic:

  • Practitioners Panel: [Summary to be posted soon]

Dr. Frank Alvarez is the Superintendent of the Montclair Public Schools, where he has held the post since November 2003. He previously served in the district as principal of Nishuane and Mt. Hebron Schools from 1989-94. Prior to arriving in Montclair, Dr. Alvarez was the Superintendent of the River Vale Schools in Bergen County, from 1997 to 2003. He was also Superintendent of Schools in North Caldwell (Essex County) from 1994 to 1997.

During Dr. Alvarez’s tenure in Montclair, the school district has documented evidence of improvement in student achievement, specifically as it relates to closing the minority achievement gap. He also has spearheaded a number of activities related to the over-representation of males in special education and the infusion of technology throughout the curriculum.

Dr. Alvarez began his career as a high school teacher in the Union City Public Schools, where he assisted in the creation of a very successful gifted and talented magnet school and the development of the Convocation Model Project, a program which achieved national prominence. From 1984-86 he served as a principal of the Atlantic Highlands Elementary School in Monmouth County. From 1986 through 1989, he headed the New Jersey Sate Department of Education’s Urban Initiative: Operation School Renewal. The Urban Initiative provided professional assistance, grant funding, and human resources to assist urban school districts to achieve success in five key areas: student achievement, student attendance, principals’ effectiveness, vocational education and computer technology.

Dr. Alvarez has a BA from Montclair State University in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a MA and Doctorate in Educational Administration from Columbia University’s Teachers College. His research and interests focus on issues of equity and access, as well as the need for schools to become active communities that support a whole-child philosophy. As an adjunct professor and mentor, he is also committed to training the next generation of school administrators.

Speakers: