West Orange School Board Replaces Tunnicliffe, Welcomes Vera

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange Board of Education has chosen a replacement for former member Jennifer Tunnicliffe.

On Tuesday, the board held a special meeting, unanimously voting to appoint Dia Bryant as its newest member. Bryant is stepping in for Tunnicliffe, who resigned on Jan. 4.

Bryant will serve until November, when elections will be held for that seat and two others currently held by board president Brian Rock and Eric Stevenson.

According to a statement from the West Orange Public School District, the board’s newest member is an experienced educator and administrator:

“Dr. Bryant brings years of experience as a teacher, school founder, and special assistant to the first deputy chancellor. She recently stepped down as the executive director at the Education Trust-New York to spend more time with her family. Her passion is education, research, data, equity, and opportunity. Originally from Detroit, Dr. Bryant holds a bachelor's in economics from Kalamazoo College, a master’s in math education from Brooklyn College, and a doctorate in education leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.”

District administrators said 15 people submitted letters of interest for the position that Bryant was appointed to.

VERA BEGINS TERM

Another new member of the board recently took her seat: Maria Vera.

Vera – who recently defeated incumbent Melinda Huerta for a spot on the board – was sworn into her new position earlier this month. Vera was also appointed as the board’s vice president at the same meeting. See Related: West Orange School Board Swears In Newest Member, Chooses President

A long-time educator and guidance counselor in the Orange School District, Vera will serve a three-year term on the board in West Orange. She plans to retire from the Orange School District in June 2025.

District administrators recently offered some details about her background and work experience:

“Born in Peru, Vera came to the United States in 1985 and settled in West Orange in 1990. Her daughters attended West Orange Schools, and she currently has three grandchildren, a niece, and a nephew in attendance. She received her master’s degree in Spanish language and literature from the University of Salamanca, Spain, a post-graduate certificate in interpretation and translation of Spanish and a BA in early childhood education from Montclair State University, and a school counselor endorsement from William Paterson University. In addition, she worked as an adjunct professor at Essex County College for 16 years. During this time, she became an American citizen … Vera worked as a Spanish teacher at Orange High School from 2000-2016, and has served as a guidance counselor since 2016. She ran a day care from 1996-2000.”

Vera said her passion for education was sparked while serving as a community liaison in the Orange School District.

“You live in a place for a long time, and you get to know people,” she said.

“I met new people, and had a mentor,” Vera continued. “I felt working with children in my daycare would be good, and I found working with them – and education – was my passion.”

“As the only Spanish-speaking counselor at Orange High School, I find myself working not only with the students, but the parents,” she said.

With her extensive background in language, it’s no surprise that Vera is passionate about the ESL and world languages programs in West Orange, administrators said.

Vera added that she thinks “more parental involvement” will be key to the success of ESL students.

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