Member Spotlight: James DeSimone

by | Jan 22, 2021 | Member Spotlight

NJAEYC Member Spotlight August 2020

James DeSimoneMember Spotlight | January 2021

James (Jim) DeSimone

James (Jim) DeSimone has been a member of NAEYC and NJAEYC since he began teaching preschool in Camden, NJ In 2007. Currently, he is the Early Childhood Curriculum Supervisor in Mt. Laurel Schools where he works with teachers in kindergarten through third grade to build a cohesive, vertically-aligned early childhood program. Under his guidance, the district launched its first full-day kindergarten program in the 2019-2020 school year. Developmentally Appropriate Practice, high-quality differentiated teaching and a focus on the “whole child” are the underpinnings of the program.

Prior to coming to Mt. Laurel in 2017, Jim spent two years at the New Jersey Department of Education in the Division of Early Childhood Education where he served as a liaison to districts with state-funded preschool programs in Essex, Mercer and Middlesex Counties. He was also a state anchor for ECERS-3, was responsible for training new and experienced Master Teachers throughout the state and oversaw the creation of a seminar for new Preschool Intervention and Referral Team Specialists. From 2007 until joining the Department of Education in 2015, Jim worked in Camden City’s preschool program as an inclusion teacher and master teacher. Jim has presented his work at NAEYC’s Professional Learning Institute, NJASCD’s Early Childhood Conference, for Teaching Strategies, and at workshops for NAEYC’s (former) South Jersey Affiliate. Jim holds a BA in Sociology from Rutgers University, a Master of Arts in Teaching focused on Early Childhood Education from Montclair State University and anticipates the completion of an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Seton Hall University this Spring.

Aside from his work advancing early childhood best practices form preschool to 3 rd grade, Jim serves as the Vice President of PFLAG Collingswood, is an active member of his faith community and is the proud “dog dad” to two Chihuahuas Cara and Mitzi.

Follow Jim on Twitter: @MTL_ECEsup

 

 

If you know someone who excels in the field of early childhood education and deserves recognition, please contact us at mail@njaeyc.org.