Robin L. Williams
Principal
Robin L. Williams completed her K-12 education at the Newark Board of Education and earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from New Jersey City University and a Master’s of Science in Education: Leadership and Administration from Capella University. She taught Social Studies at Malcolm X Shabazz High School, where she later became the department chairperson and eventually the Vice Principal of Curriculum and Instruction. Most recently, she served as Vice Principal of Peshine Avenue School for grades 3-5.
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.
LeeAndra Garvin
Vice Principal
Lee Andrea Garvin is excited to join the Belmont Runyon Family. Her love for children and their success started at an early age as she watched her grandparents foster over one hundred children in the city of Newark. She believes it is important for her to carry on the legacy of ensuring children are successful by providing them with a rich educational experience.
Mrs. Garvin graduated from William Paterson University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Bachelor of Arts in Women's Studies. After teaching for two years, she decided to further her education by enrolling in the Educational Leadership Program at Grand Canyon University. She earned her Master of Arts in Educational Leadership in 2010.
Mrs. Garvin joined the Newark Board of Education in 2006. From 2006 to 2016 she was a Teacher, Interventionist and an ELA Coach. In 2016, she became the K-5 ELA District Supervisor for Irvington Public Schools. Two years later, she found her way back to Newark and became an Instructional Special Assistant for three years. From 2021 to 2023, Mrs.Garvin ventured out as an Academic Consultant for Children's Literature Initiative (CLI) and Inspired Instruction. After exploring the consulting world, in 2023 her heart placed her back in Newark as an ELA Coach. For 2024, she will embark on the next chapter of her journey as a Vice Principal.
Mrs. Garvin believes that all children deserve an educational journey that educates the whole child. Her belief is to help children find their “INNER SHINE” and help them develop mentally, emotionally and socially so their light can SHINE BRIGHT! She is excited to collaborate with all stakeholders of the Belmont Runyon family and looks forward to supporting and watching students grow and evolve into passionate and productive people who “SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A DIAMOND”.