Vice Principals
Lauren Cooke
Vice Principal
Ms. Cooke is the proud Vice Principal at Luis Muñoz Marín. She began her career in education after graduating from William Paterson University as a second grade teacher at Mount Vernon School in Newark in 2000. While teaching, she earned her Master’s degree in Urban Education and Administration from New Jersey City University.
She has humbly served the students of Newark during her 19 year tenure in a variety of roles. Her experience includes classroom teacher, tutor, coach and master teacher for the Office of Curriculum before accepting her position at Luis Muñoz Marín as Vice Principal in 2014. Her passion for working with struggling readers is apparent in her daily interactions with students, staff and families. She relentlessly advocates for all students and supports families by continuing to be a resource to empower parents in helping their children.
In her current role, Ms. Cooke is leading the Middle School at Luis Muñoz Marín and the Math program in grades K-8. She uses her talent for organization, relationship building and coaching to create a culture of high academic and behavioral expectations, while emphasizing a joy for learning and commitment to team. Ms. Cooke works closely with teachers, parents and the school community to support the whole child.
“Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For indeed that's all who ever have. ”
- Margaret Mead
Adjoa Denchi-Smith
Vice Principal
Adjoa Denchi-Smith is a proud alumni of Newark Public Schools. Graduating from Newark’s esteemed Science High, she decided to pursue her passion for education, earning her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Seton Hall and Kean University respectively.
While teaching First grade she developed a desire for teaching young children to read which encouraged her to gain a Master’s Degree as a Reading Specialist from Kean University.
After working in Newark Public Schools for eight years, Mrs. Smith decided she wanted to step into a leadership role. She enrolled in Seton Hall’s educational leadership program and earned her ED.S from Seton Hall University. As a native of Newark, Mrs. Smith realized that there was a need to support students with special needs in the city of Newark. She was given the opportunity to serve as the Vice Principal of Special Education at Luis Muñoz Marín School.
During the past five years, Mrs. Smith has developed a passion for changing the mindset of students with behavioral disabilities. She continues to oversee the Supreme Dream Chasers which consists of the district’s largest population of students with behavioral disabilities. Ms. Smith continues to yield great results of special education students transitioning back into general education settings.
This journey in Newark continues to provide Mrs. Smith enjoyment by building positive relationships and most importantly changing the lives of children.
“Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it” ~Marian Wright Edelman
Alphonsous Sneed
Vice Principal
Greetings,
I am the Vice Principal for grades Pre K – 2 here at The Luis Muñoz Marín School for Social Justice. I have had the great fortune to have supervised grades Pre K – 2 at various times through-out my career as a school administrator. Each experience has allowed me to grow and build my educational repertoire in Early Childhood and Primary School Education.
My professional journey as an educator has provided me with the opportunity to teach grades 5 – 8. Early in my career I was able to place an instructional focus on Literacy Instruction. My professional journey then led me to placing an instructional focus on Mathematics. The learning experiences that I have had as a teacher of intermediate grades as well as middle school grades has provided me with great knowledge to support the Early Childhood and Primary Department of The Luis Muñoz Marín School. I have a clear vision of the educational path forward that our great scholars must take to demonstrate mastery of Common Core Standards as they work for College Readiness. I also have a clear vision of the types of learning experiences that the teachers, otherwise known as facilitators of learning, need to provide our scholars in their challenging educational endeavors.
My professional journey has allowed me to partner with distinguished Early Childhood Professionals which in-turn allowed me to expand my educational repertoire in supporting, “The Whole Child.” This partnership has also expanded my educational repertoire in partnering with parents to support children’s academic, social, and emotional needs to grow into successful and productive citizens.
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” It is with great pleasure and gratitude that I make the commitment to support the school community of The Luis Muñoz Marín School for Social Justice.
Rachel Safier
Vice Principal