Administration

Diane Pereira, Principal

Diane Pereira

Principal

D1Pereira@NPS.K12.NJ.US

Diane Pereira was born in Newark, NJ.  Both of her parents immigrated from Portugal and raised her and her brother in the city of Newark.  She attended Ann Street School and graduated 8th grade from Oliver Street School.  During her freshman year in high school she attended Queen of Peace High School and then moved to Clark, NJ where she attended Arthur L. Johnson High School.  After high school, she earned her Baccalaureate degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Communications at Kean University in 1999.

Mrs. Pereira began her career at Lafayette Street School as a student teacher in the fall of 1998 and was fortunate to have an opportunity to begin teaching in 1999.  During her twelve years as a teacher she was a 1st, 3rd and 4th grade Bilingual teacher, 5th grade Math teacher and Technology Coordinator.  Mrs. Pereira’s passion for teaching and learning led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Administration and Supervision at Seton Hall University where she graduated in 2011.

Mrs. Pereira became a Vice Principal at Lafayette Street School in 2011.  During her tenure as Vice Principal, she earned the respect and trust of the entire school community.  She was able to showcase her ability to lead, inspire, and empower both her students and faculty.  Under her guidance, she established a nurturing environment where every individual thrived, ensuring that each student received the support and resources needed to reach their full potential.  

In 2023, Mrs. Pereira was afforded the opportunity to become Lafayette Street School’s new Principal.  She is extremely honored to lead a school that she has been able to call home for the past 25 years.  She is eager and ready to lead her FALCONS!

In addition to being a dedicated educator, Mrs. Pereira enjoys spending time with her family.  She has been married to her soulmate, Augie for 23 years, has two beautiful adult children, Emily and Andrew and two furbabies, Daisy and Lucy.  Mrs. Pereira loves to travel, go to the beach, dance and go for sunset cruises on her boat.  

Nicole Morgan Lewis

Vice Principal

n2lewis@newark.apppresser.com

Nicole Morgan-Lewis is a native of Newark and has been an educator for over 20 years.  She served as a middle school math and science teacher and a facilitator for Girls Who Code.  he is currently serving as Vice-Principal at Lafayette Street School.She supervises K-8 math teachers, bilingual teachers, and special education teachers.

 

Danielle Gonzalez

Vice Principal

d4gonzalez@newark.apppresser.com

Ms. Danielle Gonzalez pursued her undergraduate and graduate degrees at The College of New Jersey, gaining valuable knowledge of Elementary Education, while focusing on English Language Arts. As a Middle School English Language Arts teacher for Newark Public Schools, she pushed her students to high levels of achievement, while ensuring their social and emotional needs were being met. Ms. Gonzalez is thrilled to continue serving our students in Newark as Vice Principal of Lafayette Street School for her second year.

 

Eva Almeida

Vice Principal

ealmeida@newark.apppresser.com

Mrs. Eva Almeida is a proud Newark native and alumnus of the Newark Public Schools, attending Ann Street School and Science Park High School. She then graduated with honors from Montclair State University. She taught kindergarten bilingual students and inclusion students. Mrs. Almeida served as a model classroom teacher and mentor to her colleagues. She was a highly effective teacher and awarded teacher of the year in 2019. Mrs. Almeida is honored to continue serving her community as Vice Principal of Lafayette Street School.

 

Joann Canico

Vice Principal

jcanico@newark.apppresser.com

Joana Canico is a Portuguese-American native of Newark, N.J. She started her teaching career with the Newark Public Schools in 2007 and has worked at Lafayette Street School since 2010. Throughout her teaching career, she has taught many grade levels. She has also worked as a B.N.A.T., E.S.L. Peer Coach and a Literacy Coach. Ms. Canico has extensive experience in Curriculum and Instruction and is well-versed in Bilingual Education. With academic rigor and differentiated instruction, Ms. Canico believes that all students can achieve academic success. Ms. Canico speaks both Portuguese and Spanish and is extremely proud to continue to serve the community and the students of Lafayette Street School as their Vice Principal.