Administration
Mr. Frank Sanchez
Principal
e: fsanchez@nullsomsd.k12.nj.us
p: (973) 762 - 5600 ext 1012
Mr. Frank Sanchez is proud to be the new principal at Columbia High School in the South Orange & Maplewood School District. Prior to coming to Columbia, Frank spent the past 12 years at the Mountain Lakes School District where he was high school principal, Director of Curriculum, and Social Studies Supervisor. Frank started his career and spent his first decade in education in the Springfield School District as a Social Studies teacher and later Director of Humanities. For the past 14 years, Frank has been a mentor and instructor to aspiring administrators as part of FEA's NJEXCEL leadership program.
Mr. Terry Woolard
Assistant Principal - Grade 10
e: twoolard@nullsomsd.k12.nj.us
p: (973) 762 - 5600 ext 1016
Assistant Principal Mr. Terry Woolard has a bachelor of science degree from Ithaca College in the field of finance. He served as an accountant for Saks Fifth Avenue for one year before deciding to embark on a career in education. He currently holds a master of science in Computer Information Systems and a master of education in curriculum with a concentration in educational technology. Mr. Woolard is a K-8 certified teacher, holds a supervisor certification and a principal certificate.
Ms. Melissa Butler
Assistant Principal - Grade 11
e: mbutler@nullsomsd.k12.nj.us
p: (973) 762 - 5600 ext 1129
Melissa Butler is currently one of the assistant principals at Columbia High School. Previously, she was the K-12 ELA Supervisor for two years across the district. Prior to these two roles, she was a 6th-grade ELA teacher for 12 years at South Orange Middle School and a
special education teacher for 1 year.
Melissa has also assumed a role as a part-time "Units of Study" team member for The Reading and Writing Project at Teachers College. Here she implemented best teaching practices in the reading/writing workshop setting for middle schools around the country in Home-Grown Institutes and in TCRWP reunions.
Melissa was the recipient of the Bammy Award for Middle School Teacher of the year in 2014, which identifies and acknowledges work being done across the country in the entire education field every day. She continues to champion her expertise and knowledge across the country by presenting at conferences centered around reading and writing,technology, and intervention supports.
Mr. Dion Patterson
Assistant Principal - Grade 12
e: dpatters@nullsomsd.k12.nj.us
p: (973) 762 - 5600 ext 1224
Assistant Principal Mr. Dion L. Patterson began his teaching career in the city of East Orange, NJ teaching General Education, Special Education, and Gifted & Talented classes for elementary through high school. Prior to beginning his teaching career, Mr. Patterson attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA, where he graduated with a B.A. in English. During his tenure track in East Orange, Mr. Patterson was awarded the opportunity to serve as an Instructional Coach and Instructional Supervisor for Elementary and Middle School ELA. While serving in the capacity as a coach, Mr. Patterson received a MA in Reading & Literacy, as well as, a MA in Educational Leadership with a focus on Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment.
Mr. Patterson brings administrative experience from the elementary, middle, and high school level. He is also a Professor at two colleges and the recipient of the Adjunct Excellence Program in 2017.
Ms. Cheryline Hewitt
Assistant Principal - Grade 9
e: chewitt@nullsomsd.k12.nj.us
p: (973) 762 - 5600 ext 1022
Assistant Principal Mrs. Cheryl Hewitt attended Clifford Scott High School as well as Bucknell University, where she earned a BA in Political Science. She attended Rutgers University where she earned a MA in Elementary Education and St. Peter’s College where she earned a MA in Administration and Supervision. She taught in New Orleans before coming to SOMSD in 1995 to teach at Tuscan. Cheryl is a member of Learning Forward, a professional association devoted exclusively to those who work in educator professional development. She is also a member of Leadership for Educational Equity, an organization working to end educational inequity.