Salvatore Menzo supports critical work to improve student well-being through the Eastern States Superintendent Council
Salvatore Menzo, Ed.D, superintendent of Goodwin University Magnet School System in East Hartford, is working with the American Heart Association and other superintendents across the Northeast region to improve the health and well-being of students, families and educators. Twenty-two superintendents were selected to serve as volunteer leaders for the second year of the American Heart Association’s Eastern States Superintendent Council.
In its third year, the Superintendent Council has new leadership. LaTanya D. McDade, who holds a doctorate in education and serves as superintendent of Prince William County Public Schools in Manassas, Virginia, will serve as chair.
The Eastern States Region encompasses 13 states, along with Washington, D.C., from Maine to Virginia. The Superintendent Council is aimed at helping to strengthen the work of the Heart Association across school districts in the Eastern States Region. The Council will share, inform and help shape the work of the Heart Association, leading to greater impact across the region. The Council members will help shape solutions and responses to current issues facing schools and districts.
The Superintendent Council is an elite group of Heart Association volunteers comprised of superintendents from a diverse mix of urban and rural public-school districts across the Eastern States Region including Connecticut. Council members serve a two-year term, participating in stakeholder sessions and offering their individual and collective expertise to assist the Heart Association in creating a culture of health in school systems and communities across the region.
The council complements the work of the Heart Association’s in-school programs, Kids Heart Challenge™ and American Heart Challenge™, where volunteers with different backgrounds and perspectives focus on improving the health and well-being within their local communities and are committed to efforts that will help children achieve healthier, happier and longer lives.
Eastern States Region Superintendent Council members include:
- Chair LaTanya D. McDade, Ed.D., Prince William County Public Schools, Virginia
- Immediate Past Chairman Mark Laurrie, retired
- Founding Chair Aaron Spence, Ed.D., Loudoun County Public Schools, Virginia
- Marc Baiocco, Ed.D., Clarkstown Central School District, New York
- Julia Bove, Ed.D., School District 22, New York City, New York
- Brian Brotschul, Ed.D., Somerset Hills School District, New Jersey
- Peter Cummings, Ed.D., Narragansett School System, Rhode Island
- Michael Fournier, Bedford School District, New Hampshire
- Lisa Goldey, Ed.D., Tinton Falls School District, New Jersey
- Amy Martell, Ed.D., Canton Area School District, Pennsylvania
- Joseph Massimino, Ed.D., Woodbridge Township School District, New Jersey
- Patrick McQueeney, Ed.D., Westwood Regional School District, New Jersey
- Salvatore Menzo, Ed.D., Goodwin University Magnet School System, Connecticut
- Michele Mitchell, Ph.D., Newport News Public Schools, Virginia
- Brooke Olsen-Farrell, Ed.D., Slate Valley Unified Union School District, Vermont
- Daniel Rehman, West Hempstead Union Free School District, New York
- Ryan Saxe, Ed.D., Berkeley County Schools, West Virginia
- J. Douglas Straley II, Louisa County Public Schools, Virginia
- Bill Stropkaj, Ed.D., Keystone Oaks School District, Pennsylvania
- Thomas Taylor, Ed.D., Montgomery County Public Schools, Maryland
- Eddie Vincent, Barbour County Schools, West Virginia
- Tamara Willis, Ph.D., Susquehanna Township School District, Pennsylvania
“I am honored to serve as chair of the American Heart Association’s Eastern States Superintendent Council and build on the meaningful progress we have made together,” said McDade. “Over the past two years, I have seen firsthand the power of educational leaders coming together around a shared commitment to student wellness. I look forward to elevating this work, expanding our impact, and championing the physical health, emotional well-being, and sense of belonging that help children thrive in school and in life.”
The work of the Heart Association, to save and improve every child’s life, is rooted in the organizational vision that all children, regardless of gender, race, location or economic status, should be able grow to their full potential. Efforts are being made around the country, including through this council, to make the places where kids live, learn and play to support their physical health and mental well-being, because according to the American Heart Association, only 29% of children have high cardiovascular health1 based on Life’s Essential 8 measurements.
To learn more about American Heart Association youth-based programs visit www.heart.org/getstarted.