Jacqueline Storts has been assigned to serve as principal of Birchwood School. She comes to the Rockaway Township School District with almost 30 years of experience in education. Storts is excited to share her understanding of teaching and learning at an elementary school, where she believes she may have the greatest impact.

Storts is a graduate of Douglass College, Rutgers, and Kean Universities and has served in a variety of capacities within the educational community.

Storts began her career as a social science and psychology teacher for the North Brunswick Township School. During this 17-year tenure, she honed her instructional skills in the steps of Madeline Hunter and the processes of effective instruction.

Storts believed she could better serve education by sharing her expertise at the administrative level, taking on the role of assistant principal for the Bartle School in Highland Park. Social Problem Solving, a behavioral management program under the direction of Dr. Maurice Elias was the disciplinary "language" of the school, promoting positive communications and respect for all.

Bloomfield became her next assignment, providing a focus on K-12 curricula and instruction – her forte. During her time in Bloomfield, Storts served as the district supervisor for Social Science for kindergarten to grade 12 and Enrichment for kindergarten to eighth.

She provided professional development for the district's new Understanding by Design, an initiative newly adopted by Rockaway Township. Prior to accepting the position of principal in Rockaway Township, Storts served as supervisor of Social Science, World Languages, and Science for kindergarten to grade 12.

Her mission and philosophy has always reflected the importance of teaching the whole child. Academics are extremely important but helping students develop skills which make them emotionally, socially, and behaviorally productive is just as important.

Storts goals for Birchwood School are to address the students at risk, but to also strengthen the skills in of the proficient population towards advanced proficient. All students, at all levels, need a challenge.

She has introduced a program of "Staying Connected" in order to continue the positive climate of the school. Teachers are to focus on the many behaviors associated with being responsible, courteous, and trustworthy, to name a few and her hope is to create the intrinsic rewards associated with doing for and respecting others. Additionally, the goal is to move students toward achieving goals and avoiding consequences.

Instructionally, Storts will provide a strong foundation of support for her teachers as the district employs the curricular program of Understanding by Design. In combination with differentiated instruction, teachers will receive the necessary support to meet the needs of the mixed ability classroom.

Storts possesses the knowledge and experience to achieve the goals set for the school. Along with the dedicated staff and supportive community, she looks forward to a successful first year.