Administration
Natasha Pared
Principal
Ms. Natasha Pared is the proud Principal of Rafael Hernández School. She has over eighteen years of experience in urban education which has been instrumental in developing her voice as an educational leader. Those eighteen years are only a fraction of the time she has dedicated to the children and families in her community, of which she is a product herself. She is a first generation high school and college graduate whose leadership has been informed through distinct experiences.
Ms. Pared’s pedagogical career began as a first grade teacher with the Orange Board of Education. There, she grew into a model classroom teacher with the Children’s Literacy Initiative. Throughout her experience, she took on the role of mentoring new teachers and leading professional development sessions which further developed her skills as an educational leader. She continued as a first grade teacher in Englewood Board of Education, and became a part of the Positive Behavior Support Team where she supported school wide initiatives for the social and emotional development of students. In 2012, Ms. Pared became a Literacy Coach for the Newark Board of Education and quickly transitioned into the role of Vice Principal. In 2018, she was honored with the appointment as Principal of Rafael Hernandez School. Principal Pared is a wife and mother of three children who graduated from Newark Public Schools; she is also a grandmother of two children. She continues to build in her community year after year in pursuit of making sustainable progress that improves teacher instruction and impacts student learning outcomes.
Kinyetta Bird
Vice Principal
Kinyetta Bird is a Vice Principal with the Newark Board of Education, where she has worked for over twenty years. Ms. Bird is a Newark native, and a first generation high school and college graduate. She started her career in the district as a per diem cafeteria worker, per diem aide, permanent teacher assistant, third grade teacher, and literacy teacher coach prior to becoming an administrator. Ms. Bird uses her vast experience in education to understand and respect all positions within the school district. Having a wide range of experience has impacted the development of her educational philosophies. Her twenty years has added value to the lookout on education and prepared her to be a transformative leader for Newark. Her work with children and families throughout the city is only a fraction of the time she has dedicated to her city.
Ms. Bird’s pedagogical career began as a third grade teacher with the Newark Board of Education. There, she grew into a model classroom teacher and created a pipeline between Uncommon Schools and Newark Public School. Throughout her experience, she took on the role of mentoring new teachers and leading professional development sessions which further developed her skills as an educational leader. She continued as a third grade teacher in Newark Board of Education, until becoming a teacher coach of literacy. Ms. Bird transitioned into the role of Vice Principal in 2018 at Rafael Hernandez Elementary School.Vice Principal Bird is the mother of one son, who attended Newark Public Schools; and she is also a proud grandmother. Year after year, Ms. Bird pursues making sustainable progress that improves teacher instruction and impacts student learning outcomes.
Stephanie Vargas-Milligan
Vice Principal
Mrs. Stephanie Vargas-Milligan is entering her thirteenth year as an educator within the Newark Board of Education. Mrs. Vargas-Milligan graduated from Rutgers University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Latino Studies and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education with a Specialization in Middle School Social Studies. She began her teaching career here in Newark where she taught second and third grade bilingual-Spanish for six years. During this time, Mrs. Vargas-Milligan earned a specialization certificate in Bilingual/Bicultural Education from New Jersey City University. She began to develop leadership skills within her teaching career as Grade Level Lead, teacher mentor, and Emerging Leaders cohort member. These experiences led her to earn a second Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University receiving her certification as a Principal.
Mrs. Vargas-Milligan has been a Vice Principal of Rafael Hernandez School since 2016. Here she oversees PK-2nd grade and the Bilingual/ESL program and school-based initiatives.
Mrs. Vargas-Milligan resides with her husband and two children.
Robert Spat
Vice Principal
Mr. Spat earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies from Montclair State University in 2010, and went on to work for the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey. In 2013, he earned his teaching certifications through the New Jersey City University New Pathways Alternate Route program. Subsequently, he earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Montclair State University in 2019.
In 2013, Mr. Spat began his teaching career in Union City, New Jersey, as a 7th Grade English Language Arts teacher. During this time, Mr. Spat utilized district assessment data to help develop an after school academic assistance program, directed a school-wide initiative that reduced student absences, and trained various educators across the district in utilizing distinctive teaching methodologies. He also served as the moderator for both the Forensics and Video Newsletter Teams, coordinating city-wide competitions and creating episodes for the school community.
Mr. Spat enjoys traveling, reading, exercising, sports, and binge-watching television with his wife. He is excited to join Newark Public Schools as a Vice Principal with Rafael Hernandez Elementary School. Go Sharks!