Mr. Cerniglia began working with special needs children with cognitive impairments in the mid-eighties. It is there where he learned that every child could learn and that it is an educator’s role to determine how they can meet each child’s needs and facilitate instruction.
Mr. Cerniglia is a lifelong learner who continued his education obtaining a B.A. in Psychology, a master’s degree in Educational Psychology and a second master’s degree in Administration and Supervision all from Montclair State College/University while working, raising a family, coaching, and volunteering.
Mr. Cerniglia joined the Child Development Center in 1987 as part of a work study experience through Montclair State College. He served briefly as a Teacher’s Aide and then a Classroom Teacher until 1989. Mr. Cerniglia had a long tenure with Youth Consultation Service starting as a classroom teacher at the George Washington School where he worked until 1997.
Mr. Cerniglia began his career as an administrator in September of 1997. He became the Supervisor of Education of a small private school in Hackensack. While there he worked collaboratively with staff from the Department of Human Services. He then became the Vice Principal and then Principal of the YCS George Washington School.
Mr. Cerniglia returned to what is now called the Westbridge Academy as the Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction. He was in that role until 2022. Mr. Cerniglia will return in July of 2022 as the school’s new principal. Mr. Cerniglia is looking forward to his new role and will work hard to ensure that the Westbridge Academy remains one of the premier private schools in New Jersey.