Michael F. Dixon, M.Ed.
Principal
Michael F. Dixon, M.Ed.
Principal, Belmont Runyon Elementary School
I am honored to have been chosen to serve as the Principal of Belmont Runyon Elementary School this upcoming school year. I bring over three decades of unwavering dedication to education, leadership, and student success. My journey began in 1989 as a substitute teacher, and over the past 34 years, I’ve remained committed to the belief that all children can learn, and that they thrive in environments grounded in structure, respect, and, most importantly, high expectations.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Management with a minor in Retail from Montclair State University, and a dual Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction (Mathematics, K–14) and Educational Leadership from Concordia University. This academic foundation supports a leadership style that is both data-informed and deeply human-centered.
At the heart of my educational philosophy is a commitment to shaping students not only as scholars, but as lifelong learners and productive citizens who are thoughtful problem solvers. My goal is for every student to leave Belmont Runyon better than when they entered it, more courteous, more respectful, more thoughtful, more empathetic, more helpful, and especially more reflective. I often say, “These are the characteristics that will open the doors to them that were never supposed to be opened!
The goal is for our students to grow, and academic achievement will be at the forefront of everything we do. My 15 years as a Math Coach and 3 years as an Assistant Principal overseeing mathematics have given me a clear understanding of the skills students need to thrive in high school and beyond. Under my leadership, and with an unrelenting school community, the students at Belmont Runyon will be equipped to succeed both socially and academically.
I’m proud to have been recognized for my work both in and out of the classroom. I’ve been named Teacher of the Year in both Irvington and Newark and had the honor of being the first male Math Coach in Newark Public Schools. I’ve been inducted into the Irvington Hall of Fame for baseball, honored by The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., Delta Pi Chapter, and received the Community Award from the Marquise Aquil Lewis (MAL) Civic Association. These honors reflect not just my personal journey, but the collective efforts of the communities I’ve been privileged to serve.
I’m a passionate advocate for an inclusive school culture, one where students, teachers, parents, and stakeholders engage in open dialogue and understand that disagreement can coexist with respect. I believe strong relationships and shared values are the foundation of a thriving school community.
Outside of school, I’m a lifelong athlete and community leader. I’ve played baseball since third grade and have proudly been a member of the Newark Astros, the city’s longest-running African American baseball team in the city, for the last 34 years. I’ve also coached baseball, girls’ softball, volleyball, robotics, and bowling, because I believe extracurricular activities are essential to student development and success. Sports foster discipline, teamwork, and resilience.
My leadership is defined by integrity, inclusiveness, and an unshakable belief in the potential of every child. Under my guidance, Belmont Runyon will be a place where students grow into lifelong learners and compassionate leaders, ready for whatever life throws at them next.
Let’s make this school year one of growth, unity, and excellence!
Together, we will soar with the ROAR! 🦁💙
Warmly,
Michael F. Dixon, M.Ed.
Principal, Belmont Runyon Elementary School
Sharon Thompson
Vice Principal
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." -- Nelson Mandela.
This quote has become a part of the mantra Ms. Sharon A. Thompson uses to empower students throughout their day. Ms. Thompson, who is thrilled to be the new addition to the Belmont Runyon School administrative team, brings her optimism to lead because she understands she is obligated to the next generation of children's promotion to success. As a visionary leader, Ms. Thompson believes all students should be afforded opportunities to leave our institutions with a strong understanding of who they are and where they would be happiest and most successful beyond graduation.
Ms. Thompson was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, where she is a proud graduate of Arts High School. Ms. Thompson graduated from Kean University with a BA in Elementary Education & Communications and from Grand Canyon University with an MEd in Curriculum & Instruction in Reading. She received her MA in Educational Leadership from Montclair State University.
Ms. Thompson joined NBOE in September of 2000 after working in the Private and Catholic School sector for a few years after graduating college. Ms. Thompson has been a classroom teacher who has taught Pre-K to high school students. During her tenure in NBOE, Ms. Thompson has been a classroom teacher, literacy coach, academic interventionist, BNAT, and School Test Coordinator. Ms. Thompson has been recognized and received the 2009 State of New Jersey Governor's Award and the 2022 School Based Teacher of the Year Award for her work in promoting student growth.
Ms. Thompson's educational leadership philosophy is building interpersonal capacity with our students and staff, for learning is unique to every individual, and each child learns differently, so we must prepare for all. This philosophy drives her belief that education should empower a child to contribute positively to our world.
Denise L. Taylor
Vice Principal
Mrs. Denise L. Taylor is a native of Newark, New Jersey. She has been employed by the Newark Board of Education since September 2000. She has over twenty years of experience as a Vice Principal. Prior to coming to Belmont Runyon, Mrs. Taylor served as Vice Principal at Alexander Street School, Vailsburg Middle School, George Washington Carver Elementary School, Park Elementary School, and Oliver Street School. Prior to becoming a Vice Principal, she was a Literacy Tutor and 3rd Grade Teacher at Madison Elementary School, also in Newark.
Mrs. Taylor is a graduate of University High School in Newark, New Jersey. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia in 1991. After graduation, Mrs. Taylor became employed as a Family Service Worker for Essex County Division of Welfare. In August of 2000 she left the Division of Welfare to become a teacher within the Newark Public Schools.
In September of 2000, Mrs. Taylor began working as a third-grade teacher at Madison Elementary School. After teaching for one year she entered the graduate program at Saint Peter's University for Education Leadership. She received a Master of Arts in Educational Administration and Supervision from Saint Peters College in Jersey City, New Jersey in 2003. After four years of teaching and tutoring, Mrs. Taylor was appointed Vice Principal at Alexander Street School in August of 2004.
Mrs. Taylor has long been involved in community service and scholarship activities for over 40 years. She is the immediate Past National President of The Drifters, Incorporated. She is the Past National Vice President of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. She is a charter member of the Omega Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha and Past President of the Omicron Xi Omega Chapter. She is also a member of the Morris County (NJ) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.
Mrs. Taylor previously served as the former Executive Committee Member of the Newark Unit for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). She was also a member of New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association (NJPSA), International Reading Association, National Organization of African American Administrators and the National Alliance of Black School Educators.
Mrs. Taylor received the 2010 Community Service Award from the National Organization of African American Administrators. She received the Wilma Holmes Tootle Educational Advancement Award at the 2004 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority North Atlantic Regional Conference. She also received the 2002 Master Teacher Award from Project G.R.A.D. (Graduation Really Achieves Dreams) Newark for her commitment to educational excellence and the Women You Should Know in 1999 Award from YWCA of Montclair-North Essex.
Mrs. Taylor looks forward to working with all the Belmont Runyon School stakeholders to make a positive impact on students in the South Ward Community.
Carl Savage
Vice Principal
Carl Savage is a passionate and dedicated educator with over a decade of experience in middle school mathematics( grades 6-8). He began his career as a long - term substitute teacher, where he discovered his calling to inspire and support students in building confidence in math.
Mr. Savage earned a master's degree in Educational Leadership from Montclair State University and has served as a classroom teacher, instructional math coach, and vice principal. In every role, he has remained committed to equity and excellence, ensuring that all students have the tools, support, and opportunities they need to succeed.