James Salvo

Background

About James Salvo

I am drawn to environments that challenge me to think differently and develop new skills to succeed. It’s time to pursue a new challenge. Reflection reinforced what motivates me to succeed: I am curious and I love to learn- Asking questions and being an active listener has helped me grow and develop both personally and professionally- Teams, organizations, and individuals must be ready to learn. Setting clear learning targets is essential for success- Establishing a shared understanding of WHY there's a need to learn creates the context to apply new procedures, tasks, and skills. I love a challenge and unique projects- I thrive in situations that require creativity and an innovative approach to solve a problem- Throughout my career, I’ve consistently been the “go-to-guy” asked to research, introduce, and lead complex initiatives. Change is hard and requires effective leadership to facilitate and sustain meaningful growth- Establishing relationships built on trust is essential- I work to create an environment where team members can express how changes impact them, leading to personalized, targeted learning experiences for all- Open and honest communication is essential for changes to take root. I have the skillset to design learning experiences, manage the change process, and sustain growth. Dependable, trustworthy leaders make ambitious goals attainable. I’m excited to begin a new chapter of my professional journey. A bit more about my educational journey and career- Needing electives to graduate early from St. John’s University, I studied Hawaiian history at the University of Hawaii- I moved to San Diego to start my teaching career. Yes, the weather was great, but the professional experiences in CA were priceless. I was fortunate to receive high quality mentoring and induction support, which I prioritize in all my work- After marrying a like-minded NJ transplant, starting a family miles away from our parents and siblings wasn’t for us,…….hello Jersey Shore- Landing a job near Rutgers allowed me to begin an Ed. Leadership degree immediately. Being hired as Principal at 29 was an incredible honor and a fulfilling challenge- Being promoted to Director of Curriculum and Instruction was another great opportunity to push myself to grow and develop new skills and relationships. It's been an incredible 14 years serving in this role!