The Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS) was pleased to announce recently the appointment of the following eight new Commissioners:
Ligia V. Alberto, Ed.D., Bergenfield, N.J.– Alberto is director of the Bergenfield Alternative School in Teaneck, N.J. Alberto earned her bachelor’s degree from Lehman College in Bronx, N.Y., and a master’s degree in counseling from Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. She recently completed her Doctor of Education at Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J.
Ted Beal, Jr., Edison, N.J.–Beal is executive vice president of AXA Equitable and managing director for AXA Equitable’s Retirement Benefits Group in Edison, N.J. In his role with the financial services firm, Beal and his team work with more than a million public school employees nationwide to manage their retirement portfolios and have also awarded more than $1.3 million in student scholarships.
James Evans, Esq., Camillus, N.Y.– Evans is a partner with the law firm Barclay Damon, LLP, in Syracuse, N.Y. As an attorney, Evans assists schools with policy development, board governance and risk-management issues. He is also an assistant education professor at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, N.Y.
Sarah Gallagher, Rome – Gallagher is head of school for Marymount International School Rome. Gallagher has held her current position since 2016. Prior to then she spent seven years as headmistress of Marymount International School London. She has also taught in Ireland, the United Kingdom and in the United States.
Ana Meyers, Mechanicsburg, Pa.– Meyers is the executive director of the Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools, in Mechanicsburg, Pa. Previously she was director of legislative affairs and director of partnership programs at LeadingAge PA, a statewide association representing 360 non-profit senior facilities.
James Tucker, Middletown, Md. – Tucker is superintendent of the Maryland School for the Deaf, with locations in Frederick and Columbia, Md. He began his career teaching American Sign Language, including to students with autism, and also served as a college admissions director. He has delivered more than 100 presentations and keynote addresses at conferences and meetings worldwide since 1980.
Tara Weber, Barnegat, N.J.– Weber is an elementary supervisor with G. Harold Antrim Elementary School in Point Pleasant Beach, N.J. Weber earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Millersville University and her master’s degree in reading from Grand Canyon University.
Frank Whelan, Sicklerville, N.J.– Whelan is founder and president of ASI Career Institute in Turnersville, N.J. In 2014, he established E-Hired, a job search website. Whelan has been volunteering with Middle States since 2010, during which time he has evaluated schools undergoing the accreditation process and served a member of Middle States’ Domestic Schools Advisory Committee.
Commissioners meet twice annually in Philadelphia, where Middle States is headquartered, to review accreditation recommendations and the organization’s finances, policies and strategic plan.
