ENGLEWOOD, N.J.—Benjamin Suro, the new principal of Dwight Morrow High School and Academies@Englewood, has an impressive background in education—and he’s still expanding upon it.
With a master’s degree in administration and instructional leadership from St. John’s University, where he graduated summa cum laude, he is currently earning his Ph.D. in educational leadership at St. Peter’s University.
Suro is a member of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, the National Science Teachers Association, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, the National Hispanic Society, and Big Brother Big Sister of New York. Additionally, he is a board member of the nonprofit organization HYPELITE—a group that works with high school students to help them find their passion by connecting them with industry professionals.
Suro has extensive teaching and leadership experience. He launched his career in education 15 years ago at Xavier High School in New York City, where he taught biology and chemistry, in addition to taking on a role as dean of students.
In 2011 he helped to build a high school in Stamford, Conn., called The Stanwich School. There he again served as the dean of students, in addition to teaching science classes and chairing the science department.
Later, as a biology teacher at Bergen Technical Schools in Teterboro, N.J., he worked collaboratively with colleagues in the biology department to create the school’s first iBook (digital textbook). The project led to the school’s being recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for 2013-2015 for unique implementation of Apple technology.
He also helped enhance and coordinate the summer Higher Achievement Program as the assistant director. The program focuses on providing inner-city youth with courses to promote development of skills needed to pass the TACHS (Test for Admission into Catholic High Schools) exam, along with opportunities to both visit museums and parks within the Tri-State area and participate in competitive sports.
Suro has served as vice principal of the S.T.E.M. Academy, John F. Kennedy High School in Paterson, and from 2017 to 2019, he was the district supervisor of science, K-12, in the Orange, New Jersey Public Schools.
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Hillary Viders: What are your primary goals for DMHS?
Benjamin Suro: My goals are to organize and foster a positive, safe environment that is conducive to best meeting the needs of all students, staff and parents. This includes such responsibilities as: leading, directing, counseling, and supervising a variety of personnel and programs; creating effective parent, teacher, and child communications; supporting, encouraging, mentoring, and evaluating staff; fostering teamwork between teachers and among staff and parents; and managing budget items.
HV: What are DMHS’ greatest assets?
BS: I love the fact that the City of Englewood is so diverse and I think that the city is well represented on the DMHS campus and to me that is so exciting. I also like the fact that the school has a magnet component, the Academies@Englewood, that allows us to draw students from different backgrounds, ethnicities and scholastic abilities.
We have such great things happening at DMHS! We have students earning top scores in AP calculus and we have amazing athletic teams.
HV: What do you feel are the greatest challenges that you face as DMHS principal?
BS: One of the challenges is developing a better sense of community. We have such a diverse community and I want to make sure that everyone feels a part of the school and is supported and heard. The community has got to be a part of this high school and everyone should be a stakeholder.
Another challenge that I am working on is making sure that we communicate effectively. I want everyone to feel that they are well informed about what is going on in the school. As such, I will work closely with the PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) throughout the year. Our first meeting will be on Sept. 9. I plan to make sure that people understand my goals and how they can be part of those goals.
I want people to know that I am fully vested in this school and in this community. If they see that that’s what’s in my heart, a lot of things will move forward.
HV: What specific things will you do to engage the parents?
BS: One thing that I am doing is making and sending out a lot of videos via social media in both English and Spanish. These videos are being pushed out on our website and on Facebook. For example, I just did a welcome video as well as a welcome letter and a video showing the importance of attendance at school.
I also want to let parents know that as principal, I will not be sitting in my office all day. I will be front and center walking throughout the school, in the classrooms and the hallways, interacting with students and teachers and moving the school forward. So meetings with parents will happen before 8 a.m. or after 3 p.m.
HV: What is your opinion about the new app that can tutor students in any subject? Do you feel that this will diminish the role and stature of teachers?
BS: No, nothing will ever replace teachers. There is a lot going on with education right now, but an app can never give students that irreplaceable intimate component in which students are actually engaging with their teachers outside of the curriculum and are inspired by them. The reason that I wound up majoring in biology is because I had a great biology teacher in high school. A computer can never provide mentorship.
HV: Do you plan to institute any new school programs?
BS: Yes. For one, we are putting together a collaboration with Parisian Beauty Academy in Hackensack.
HV: In the wake of so many mass shootings, how will you be handling security at DMHS?
BS: We will be extremely vigilant throughout the school. We will have increased administrative presence in the hallways, in the cafeterias and on campus.
HV: Are you involved in any nonprofit organizations or participating in city-wide events in Englewood?
BS: I am involved in supporting the Special Olympics and I am a board member of HYPELITE, a 501c3 nonprofit organization based in New Milford that facilitates events and programs to inspire and empower students to take charge of their future by cultivating their passion and creativity organization.
I also do a lot of mentoring in conjunction with several colleges. I also work with Alternate Route, a non-traditional teacher preparation program designed for those individuals who have not completed a formal teacher preparation program at an accredited college or university, but wish to obtain the necessary training to become a NJ certified teacher. I am currently mentoring someone from John Hopkins University for his principalship.
HV: What inspirational message are you bringing to students and teachers at DMHS?
BS: I use a quote by Tim Duncan, basketball player and coach of the San Antonio Spurs. It’s advice that I myself follow every day: “Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best.”