Dr. Jonathan C. Ponds, Superintendent
Dr. Jonathan C. Ponds has a distinguished career as an educator, coach, and scholar.
He impressed each Board member with his depth of knowledge and
experience, as well as his articulate descriptions of his educational
philosophy and approach. His professional experience in a variety of
settings has been successful in impacting both practice and climate in
schools.
As the Superintendent of Schools/Principal of the Moonachie Public
Schools in Moonachie, NJ, he is credited with turning around a
culturally and economically diverse student and family population. Under
his leadership he raised student achievement, increased public support,
established significant university, state, and local support, and
established exemplary fiscal practices. He will be completing his fifth
year in Moonachie when he transitions to Montclair.
Prior to Moonachie, he was Principal of the 780 student Parsons
Elementary School in North Brunswick, NJ from August 2012 until August
2015. He implemented notable best practices in the school aimed at
improving student achievement as well as creating thriving acceleration
programs for students performing above grade level.
Dr. Ponds served as a Special Education teacher, basketball coach, vice
principal, and dean of students prior to his building and district
leadership positions.
He earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Johnson and Wales
University in Rhode Island. His doctoral thesis is entitled,
“A
Case Study of Culturally Responsive Training Influence on Teachers’
Self-efficacy and Instructional Strategies Regarding their Low-income,
Minority Students.” He earned a Master of Education degree with a concentration in Moderate Special Needs from Cambridge College, in Cambridge, MA.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Queens University
of Charlotte in North Carolina where he earned a full scholarship to
play Division II soccer. As a lifelong learner who takes seriously the
promise of education for all, he also earned a Certificate of Advanced
Educational Leadership (CAEL) from the Harvard Graduate School of
Education.
Upon his appointment in June, Dr. Ponds released the following statement:
My passion to educate all children and my conviction that all
children can learn stems from my roots growing up in rural Alabama and
seeing the power of opportunity provided through education. For over 20
years, I have collaborated with all stakeholders to meet a plethora of
educational challenges with the foundation of educating all children. I
began my educational journey in Massachusetts before relocating to New
Jersey. I started my career as a special needs teacher in Boston and
worked through the levels as a building administrator, Principal and
Superintendent. While pursuing my doctorate, I researched strategies
that would enhance the education of all children. Upon the many
strategies that I investigated, Cultural Responsiveness is one strategy
that I have not only used as a practitioner but have presented as a
guest speaker, discussed as a panelist and currently teach to future
principals, central office administrators and superintendents as an
adjunct professor. I have been blessed to be an educator in diverse
communities, and I have witnessed the power of diversity excel all
children to excellence. I truly believe that diversity is a strength.