Vice Principals


Dr. Maysoon Atra
Vice Principal
Dr. Maysoon Atra has been a special educator for over 10 years, five of which have been at Luis Muñoz Marín Elementary School. Dr. Atra received her Bachelor’s degree in Education with an endorsement in Special Education from New Jersey City University. Soon after beginning her teaching career, Dr. Atra’s strong passion to teach students with disabilities led her to receive a Masters degree in Special Education from Walden University. Immediately after graduating, Dr. Atra decided to further her academic career and pursued a Doctoral degree in Education, specializing in Educational Leadership and Administration, and completed her studies in January 2024.
Dr. Atra started her career in Newark Public Schools in 2019 as a middle school teacher for students in the Emotional Regulation Impairment (ERI) program. Her passion and drive to close achievement gaps were at the center of her classroom practices. Her unwavering level of work ethic and devotion to provide positive opportunities and experiences geared toward strengthening Newark’s most vulnerable student populations were evident, and in 2021, she transitioned as the lead support staff member of the ERI program. There, she collaborated with key stakeholders on a school and district level to ensure the academic and social success of students. In 2023, she received the distinct award of Teacher of the Year. Furthermore, throughout her doctoral studies, Dr. Atra focused her research on understanding what supports were needed to build the efficacy of teachers who instruct students with disabilities in the inclusive classroom. Throughout her career, Dr. Atra has consistently demonstrated strong leadership qualities, all while developing positive and collaborative relationships with administration, staff, students, and families alike.
“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


Rachel Safier
Vice Principal


Victor Felipe
Vice Principal
Mr. Felipe was born and raised in New York and is a proud first-generation college graduate in his family who is originally from the Dominican Republic. Mr. Felipe graduated from Kean University with a Bachelor's degree in Education and later earned a Master's degree in Educational Leadership.
Mr. Felipe has had the privilege of working as a 5th-grade ESL/Bil. teacher and then as a Bilingual Math In-Class Support teacher for middle school. Outside of the classroom, Mr. Felipe has worked with students to develop their social emotional skills through sports and extracurricular clubs. He is deeply devoted to education and believes in its transformative power.