Educators Take New Leadership Roles to Guide Bronxville School
The Bronxville School will welcome several educators in new administrative roles for the 2024-2025 school year. Ann Meyer, who served as principal of Bronxville High School since 2013, has been named assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction. Dr. Raymond Loverso has been named interim principal of Bronxville High School, Derrick DiRienzo has been named assistant principal of Bronxville Elementary School, and Anthony Vaglica has been named assistant principal of Bronxville High School and Bronxville Middle School.
Meyer began her career in Bronxville High School in 2006 as a chemistry, biology, AP environmental science and AP biology teacher before becoming high school principal. Under her leadership, the high school was named a National Blue Ribbon School of Academic Excellence, as well as secured a place on the Advanced Placement School Honor Roll, earning a Platinum distinction for outstanding work in welcoming more students into AP courses and supporting them on the path to college success. During her tenure at Bronxville, Meyer helped lead the creation of the Bronxville Promise, and she has been instrumental in the development and delivery of authentic learning experiences that encourage critical thinking, innovation, leadership and engaged leadership.
“Ms. Meyer is a careful listener and an effective communicator who values collaboration and the ideals of The Bronxville Promise,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Rachel Kelly said. “She is a hands-on leader who builds effective relationships and engages all stakeholders in the implementation of The Bronxville Promise for the improvement of student performance … She is a strategic thinker who will continue to lead and challenge our District in its academic rigor and support teachers in the process. Ms. Meyer is an educator who understands the complex relationships among assessments, instructional practice, curriculum, and how wise and meaningful use of technology can enhance those relationships.”
Meyer earned her bachelor’s in biological chemistry with honors and a minor in mathematics from Wellesley College, and a master’s in teaching and curriculum from Harvard Graduate School of Education. She earned an advanced master’s in administration from Bank Street College of Education.
Dr. Loverso most recently served as assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and assessment at Syosset Central School District. His 22 years of experience as an administrator, namely as a districtwide coordinator of science and technology, as well as his educational philosophy and personal values are all aligned with The Bronxville Promise.
“He is a strong instructional leader, and he is known for his high degree of integrity,” Dr. Kelly said. “His work ethic is unparalleled. He is thoughtful and reflective and is masterful at empowering teachers and students. Dr. Loverso is an innovator and deep thinker who values building relationships with all constituencies. He very much looks forward to being more closely involved again with teachers and students by being a building-level administrator.”
Dr. Loverso began his 11-year career in Rye Neck Union Free School District, first as a science teacher, then as a science department chair. In 2016, he began his tenure at Syosset Central School District as the K-12 coordinator of science and technology and before serving as assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction, and assessment. During his tenure, he led the design and implementation of many effective initiatives that promote STEAM for all students, and collaborated with faculty, administrators and students to ensure authentic interdisciplinary learning experiences for all students.
He holds a bachelor’s in chemistry and a master’s in secondary education from CUNY Hunter College, a certificate in educational leadership from CUNY Queens College and a doctorate in educational leadership from Manhattanville College.
Vaglica most recently served as assistant principal of Bronxville Elementary School before being named to assistant principal of the middle and high schools. He has a wealth of experience at Bronxville, with more than 17 years of teaching and administrative experience, including as a physical and health education teacher, a special education teacher aide, a coach, and a leader in a wide range of extracurricular activities. He has helped create, design and implement the trimester physical education curriculum in the elementary school, developed the CARE scope and sequence in the elementary school, and redesigned the health curriculum in the high school.
“Anthony is highly respected by his colleagues, who appreciate his dedication to teamwork and collaboration,” Bronxville Middle School Principal Joe Mercora said. “He is a natural leader and the definition of a team player. Anthony continues to have a passion for helping students learn and grow; he continuously looks for new ways to improve.”
During his time as assistant principal, Vaglica engaged in a wide range of activities that served students at all levels. He secured a grant through the Bronxville School Foundation for a book vending machine, led a robust elementary PBIS program and ran every student assembly the elementary school offered. In addition, he secured a grant for spirit steps for the elementary school stairwells to display motivational words designed for students to believe in themselves and to do their best. He collaborated with the middle and high school to add a musical component to the playgrounds and was instrumental in the middle school play.
Vaglica holds a bachelor’s from Concordia College, master’s in teaching, physical education, and sport pedagogy from Manhattanville College, and professional diplomas in health and wellness, school building leadership and school district leadership.
DiRienzo, who previously served as a teacher at Bronxville Elementary School, completed the last school year as assistant principal at Cottage Lane Elementary School in South Orangetown School District. He was involved in instructional observations and coaching, interviewing and hiring new employees, strategic and logistical planning, data collection and analysis, professional development creation and facilitation, curriculum mapping and rollout, as well as planning and facilitation of faculty, department and Response to Intervention meetings. DiRienzo, alongside his principal, supervised over 100 teachers, faculty and staff members.
Prior to his departure for the assistant principal position, he worked as an elementary general education and special education teacher for 10 years at Bronxville. DiRienzo was a master teacher and served in various teacher leadership roles including grade-level team leader, teacher resident coordinator and interim dean for K-12 service learning.
“Mr. DiRienzo brings to us boundless positive energy with a desire to forge strong relationships with faculty, staff, parents and all students,” Dr. Kelly said. “He is committed to supporting a school community where The Bronxville Promise is valued, where collaboration and partnerships are essential, and where students are encouraged to find their voices and their passions.”