District Leadership

Anita D. Champagne Ed. D

Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Anita D. Champagne is a respected leader in the educational community with over 25 years of experience in diverse learning environments. She began her career in the Elizabeth Public School District, where she was part of the Transformation Team that divided one of the country’s largest high schools into six theme-based academies in 2008. 

In 2011, Dr. Champagne was appointed Principal of the Cicely L. Tyson Community School of Performing and Fine Arts. During her tenure, the school received numerous accolades, including recognition in the September 2014 issue of Inside New Jersey as “one of the best high schools for academics and the arts.” In 2016, the school was named a Model School by the International Center for Leadership in Education (ICLE), and Dr. Champagne was praised by the NJ Assistant Commissioner/Chief Learning Supports and Specialized Services Officer for increasing student achievement. Taking a school that had been identified as at risk out of the needs improvement status. 
 
During her tenure as the Assistant Superintendent for the East Orange Public Schools, she successfully managed the writing and implementation of multimillion-dollar grants, including the Department of Labor's Pre-Apprentice (PACE) Grant, the  Women and Minorities in Construction grant, the U.S. Department of Education's Mental Health  Service Professional Demonstration Grant, and the 21st Century Grant. Dr. Champagne has been successful with the development and implementation of STEM and CTE programs that provide students with an opportunity to compete in the global market.

Dr. Champagne has a unique ability to inspire, ignite, and move individuals to action. As a leader, she has conducted several workshops that demonstrate her success in the field of education. Such as: Improving Instructional Practices and School Climate Through Data-Driven Decision-Making, Leading the Charge for Culturally Responsive Teaching: The Role of the Administrator, and High-Impact Learning Recovery Strategies for Student Success. Where she shared innovative approaches used to address the learning loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a former mentor for the New Jersey Leaders to Leaders program, she is proud of her work as a mentor and coach for aspiring school leaders.

Her most recent work has been focused on grading practices, stemming from her dissertation titled “Grading Systems in Elementary Grades 3-5: Administrator and Teacher Perceptions,” where she addressed the inequities seen in grading and the impact grading has on the overall success of students. Achieving her doctoral degree in the area of K-12 educational leadership from Saint Peter's University, Dr. Champagne often states that she is "walking in her purpose" and emphasizes the power of building strong relationships with and among those she serves.
 

Mrs. Shari Castelli

Assistant Superintendent Curriculum and Instruction

Shari Castelli has worked in education for nearly 30 years. She started as a science teacher at Chatham High School where she was an early adopter of the hands-on, discovery teaching and learning methods that work so well in science education. After serving in numerous teacher-leader positions, Shari moved into administration as the Science Supervisor at the West Essex Regional Schools and then was fortunate enough to become the STEM Supervisor at Morris County School of Technology. At Morris County School of Technology, Shari became fully indoctrinated into the amazing world of CTE and will never again go back to traditional secondary education. 

Shari has been involved in numerous innovative projects at Morris County School of Technology/Morris County Vocational School District including the creation and implementation of the Engineering Design and Advanced Manufacturing and Cybersecurity & Information Protection programs in partnership with the County College of Morris, the Academy for Environmental Science, the Academy for Biotechnology, and the Allied Health Institute. 

When Shari is not enjoying her job or spending time with her family, she can be found practicing on her yoga mat, hiking on a trail, riding her bike or paddling in a kayak.

Mr. Michael Davison

School Business Administrator

Mr. Davison has worked as a School Business Administrator/Board Secretary since 2010.  He brings a wide array of experience, having worked at a K-6, K-8, K-12, and a Jointure Commission.  Mr. Davison is an experienced administrator who has managed the fiscal and business operations of school districts while considering short and long-term planning in ways that provide the best possible educational services with the financial resources that are available.  As School Business Administrator, Mr. Davison has been responsible for all business functions of the districts, facility management, technology infrastructure and system management, transportation services, and food service operations.  He has overseen insurance plans which include worker's compensation, property and casualty, as well as health, dental, and vision insurances.  Mr. Davison is also a Certified Administrator of School Finance and Operations (SFO®), which is one of the profession’s most prestigious designations. 

Prior to his work in education, Mr. Davison worked in the financial services industry both on the client side as well as in the compliance department.  Mr. Davison holds his Juris Doctorate from Rutgers Law School and has a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Rutgers School of Business.

Mr. Davison spends his time outside of work with his family and enjoys spending time outdoors.   

Ms. Athena Borzeka

Director of Student Services and Special Education

Ms. Borzeka graduated from Rutgers University with a BA in Psychology and Rutgers Graduate School of Education with an Ed.M. in Educational Psychology.  She began her career in education working as a special education teacher for the Windsor School in Morristown, NJ, a semi-private school for learning disabled students.   After 5 years she moved to the public setting teaching special education at Randolph High School.  Ms. Borzeka remained in special education for an additional 2 years then moved to the guidance office at RHS where she worked for another 5 years as a school counselor.  In November of 2009 Ms. Borzeka came to the Morris County School of Technology where she could combine her love for special education and school counseling.   In 2011, Ms. Borzeka earned her MA in Educational Leaership from New Jersey City University.  In her tenure at MCST, Ms. Borzeka has had the pleasure of developing and implementing  comprehensive guidance and special eduation programs designed to meet the needs of all students within the framework of Career and Technical Education. 

Aside from several other professional organizations, Ms. Borzeka is an acitve member of the Morris County Directors of Guidance as well as the Morris County Directors of Special Services organizations.

Mr. Scott Shaw

Director Career and Technical Education

“Our echoes roll from soul to soul and grow forever and ever…”

from The Splendor Falls, Alfred Lord Tennyson

After spending his formative years on the dusty plains of the Texas panhandle, and a brief time in Tehran, Iran, Mr. Shaw moved to the northeast where he studied literature at Rutgers University. He completed his MA with a concentration in classroom instruction and curriculum at Kean University, and then moved to New York City.  Mr. Shaw moved back to North Jersey and became the first English teacher for the newly formed Full-Time Academy High School here at MCST.  Three years later, he became a supervisor of instruction for the school.  For over two 1/2 decades, Mr. Shaw has journeyed with students, faculty, and families in public, magnet, career and technical, urban and suburban school settings as a teacher, coach, and administrator. He has served as a principal in both middle school and high school and is now the district's Director of Career and Technical Education. Mr. Shaw believes wholeheartedly in CTE and is eager to build partnerships with industry, support program and teacher development, and promote the pursuit of learning.

When not at school, Mr. Shaw can be found fly-fishing the Rio Grande River in southwestern Colorado, unpacking poetry and prose while sipping sweet tea on his porch, and spending quality time with his family.

Mr. Michael Gowdy

Senior Manager Operations and Enrollment

Mr. Gowdy built his career foundation through progressive leadership positions within New Jersey state government. He began in public service at the Governor's Office of Volunteerism as the Youth and Community Service Coordinator, later advancing to Senior Program Officer for the New Jersey Department of Education's Office of Community Services. His public service with the State of New Jersey culminated in his appointment as Director of the Center for Youth Policy and Programs in the Secretary of State's Office.

Before joining MCVSD in January 2014, Mr. Gowdy served as Chief Program Officer for the New Jersey Community Development Corporation (NJCDC). There, he spearheaded the development and management of comprehensive educational and youth development initiatives while overseeing a diverse portfolio of federal, state, and private grant funding. 

As the Senior Manager of Operations & Enrollment, Mr. Gowdy works collaboratively with the MCVSD administrative team to strategically implement federal and state grant programs, ensuring regulatory compliance while maximizing program effectiveness. He also oversees both the Admissions and Adult Continuing Education departments, where he focuses on expanding educational access and creating new opportunities for high school and adult student populations.

Drawing on his experience in education administration, program development, and grant management, Mr. Gowdy remains dedicated to creating pathways for student achievement and expanding educational opportunities for students in Morris County.

Miss Lynne M. Jackson

Principal High School Programs

Miss Jackson joined the MCVSD administrative team as the principal in March 2013. Prior to this, Miss Jackson worked in the Morris School District as a Supervisor of Instruction at Frelinghuysen Middle School for eight years. While serving the students, parents, and staff at Frelinghuysen, Miss Jackson helped facilitate a whole-school reform initiative guided by Turning Points 2000: Educating Adolescents in the 21st Century. She was responsible for implementing a school-wide Advisor-Advisee program and collaborated with teachers and administrators to develop the Morris School District Rubric for Excellence in Teaching. Miss Jackson started her career in education in 1996 working at what was then known as Windsor High School but has since been renamed as Shepard High School in Morristown, NJ.  

Miss Jackson earned her Master's Degree in Educational Administration from Kean University, in Union, NJ. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with an undergraduate degree in Finance and Economics from Fairleigh Dickinson University, in Teaneck, N.J. 

Off-campus Miss Jackson enjoys spending time with her family. When she is not with her two children, she enjoys golfing, fishing, and staying physically fit. She also enjoys reading and traveling.  

Mr. Mark Menadier

Principal High School Academies

Mr. Menadier is the Principal of Academies (Full-Time) of the Morris County School of Technology (MCST). Mr. Menadier has had the distinct privilege of being a part of MCST's full-time program since its inception in 2004. Mr. Menadier began his tenure at MCST as a history teacher, earning recognition as the district's "Teacher of the Year" in 2009. During his time on the teaching staff, Mr. Menadier served in various roles, including Master Teacher and varsity soccer coach, as well as participating in numerous initiatives, such as Curriculum Council, Critical Friends Group, and Intervention & Referral Services.

In 2011, Mr. Menadier transitioned from teaching to administration when he was appointed Supervisor of Humanities. He then served as the Assistant Principal for seven years before assuming his current position as Principal of High School Academies (Full-Time). Mr. Menadier believes in forging positive relationships as a means of developing academic growth and character development. To that end, he is grateful for the opportunity to work with an exceptional student body and a dedicated professional staff. 

Mrs. Lisa Adams

Assistant Principal Instruction

Ms. Adams joined the administrative team as an Instructional Supervisor in the summer of 2018 and currently serves as the Assistant Principal of Instruction, responsible for the following academic departments:

• English
• Social Studies
• World Languages
• Library Media Center

Ms. Adams began her career at MCST in 2006 as an English Teacher. During her tenure, she participated on several committees and championed many school-wide initiatives. In 2014 Ms. Adams was honored with the distinction of Morris County Teacher of the Year.  

Ms. Adams is passionate about educational best practices, teacher leadership, and helping students become the best they can be.  Ms. Adams works closely with her teachers to ensure that student-centered learning and growth is at the forefront of every effort at MCST.  

Mr. Conor Devine

Assistant Principal Athletics, Co-Curricular Activities and Postsecondary Programs

"Mr. Devine is the Assistant Principal of Athletics and Co-Curricular Activities for the Morris County School of Technology (MCST) as well as all Postsecondary Programs (Continuing and Adult Education). Prior to joining the team here, Mr. Devine taught high school Social Studies and coached for 8 years at Morris Hills High School and Roxbury High School. In July 2021, Mr. Devine was named K-12 Supervisor of Social Studies, Fine Arts, Technology Education & STEM for the Jefferson Township School District where he served until joining the leadership team here at MCST & MCVSD in May 2024. 

Mr. Devine is a strong believer in athletics and extracurriculars as an extension of the classroom and the significant role that they play in our students' growth and development into well rounded young adults. Additionally, the opportunity to work with adult learners is exciting and a rewarding reminder that education and learning should be a lifelong experience."

Ms. LaToya Evans

Assistant Principal Students

Ms. Evans completed her BA in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Drew University, where she worked in a Molecular Genetics lab conducting research on DNA damage repair pathways and the development of human cancers. She went on to complete her MA in Teaching Biological Science at Drew, which led to her student teaching endeavors at MCST in 2011. During this experience, Ms. Evans gained an appreciation of the value of Career and Technical Education and was happy to be brought on as a teacher of Biology. A few years into teaching, Ms. Evans earned her MA in Educational Leadership from Montclair State University. 

Ms. Evans’ experiences working as a research scientist formed the core of her student-centered, inquiry-based vision for science education. Through modeling unique problem-based learning environments, she won the WDHA FM NJ Teachers Who Rock Contest in 2015.  She was involved in various district initiatives throughout her ten-year teaching career at MCST, transitioning from Lead Teacher, to Achievement Coach, to Science Department Chair. In 2019, she was appointed to the NJ DOE Science Advisory Committee, where she serves to ensure that test items for NJ Student Learning Assessments meet industry accepted standards for being bias free. 

In July 2023, Ms. Evans joined the administrative team as Assistant Principal for Students. She oversees the Math, Science, Art and PE departments.. Her passion for education, hands-on instructional leadership, and ensuring the academic and personal success of all students is evident in her work both within and outside of the MCST community.