Jennifer Eckert is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and a School Social Worker at Manchester Township High School. Ms. Eckert has worked in the social work field for 26+ years in a variety of settings including schools with students in Pre-K through age 21, psychiatric hospitals, Partial Care/Intensive Outpatient programs, group homes, early intervention programs, outpatient counseling centers, and she has had a private practice for 18+ years focusing on adolescents and young adults. Ms. Eckert provides supervision to recently graduated social workers and counselors working towards their clinical licenses. She also has her school supervisor and principal certifications.

Hello, my name is Kate Colon and I am the Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant at Manchester High School. I attended Long Island University at the Southampton Campus and received my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education. I then attended Kean University and received my Master's Degree in Learning Disabilities. I began my career in education as a special education teacher in Edison, NJ. I worked in the classroom for five years teaching mostly in a resource replacement setting. I went to my supervisor, who was the math supervisor in our school, and told him about this new thing called inclusion. He was open to it and I pioneered the first program in our district in a pre-algebra classroom. I worked with a terrific teacher and the inclusion setting grew from there to include all subjects.

I then stayed home to raise my two sons. I was home for twelve years which was very enjoyable but I wanted to return to education. I attended Stockton University and gained my certificate to work on the child study team. My professor hired me to work at her school since there was an opening as I finished my coursework. I worked at Lower Township School District in a grades 1-2 school and had a terrific opportunity to keep learning from my supervisor who was housed in our building. The drive was very far for me and I looked for an opportunity for a job closer to my home and I was lucky enough to get hired in Manchester School District.

I have been working at the high school for the past seven years. I enjoy advocating for my students and helping them transition to adulthood. Whether they attend college, vocational school or enter the workforce, the students always have a plan that has been well thought out.

Mrs. Zacchia has been experienced as a School Psychologist from grades PK to 12 since 2008. She has particularly remained focused to the high school setting for the past nine years. She joined Manchester Township schools in 2016, where she is primarily housed at Manchester Township High school. She currently case manages last names starting from A to J. Mrs. Zacchia was chosen as MTHS's 2019 Educational Service Professional of the Year. Prior to working in the school setting, Mrs. Zacchia has additional years of experience in the clinical mental health field.

Her educational background includes a Minor in Spanish, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, a Masters of Arts Degree in School Psychology and Counseling Psychology, and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in School Psychology through Georgian Court University. Additional Master level course work in Bullying and School Mental Health was completed through Delaware Valley College. Mrs. Zacchia is a certified school psychology in the state of New Jersey and a Nationally Certified School Psychologist. Mrs. Zacchia is a member of the National Association of School Psychologist. She is also proud to be MTHS's advisor for the Key Club. On her spare time, she offers volunteer opportunities as a Trenton Diocese Certified Catechist, with experience in teacher from grades K to 7 and advocating for mental health causes, including obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders. Mrs. Zacchia is passionate about her work as a case manager, school based mental health support professional, and evaluator.

Mrs. Petruzzi is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified School Social Worker at Manchester Township Middle School. Mrs. Petruzzi received her Master of Social Work degree from Rutgers University, New Brunswick. Mrs. Petruzzi has worked in the social work field for 19 years and has worked for the Manchester Township Schools for the past 13 years. Mrs. Petruzzi is passionate about her work with children and their families while providing a nurturing environment for students to grow and reach their full potential.

Mrs. Simone is a Certified School Social Worker. She received both her Bachelor and Master of Social Work degrees from Monmouth University. Mrs. Simone began her career in the Manchester School District in 2007. In addition to her case management responsibilities, Mrs. Simone is one of the Anti-Bullying Specialists at MTES and is CPI certified. Mrs. Simone was awarded the 2021 Educational Service Professional of the Year for MTES.

Mrs. Switay is a Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant within the Manchester School District. She is the case manager for the Preschool Disabilities self-contained class and the Multiple Disabilities Kindergarten self-contained class at Whiting, as well as the Language/Learning Disabilities self-contained class at Manchester Township Elementary. She has a background in special education and has taught at the elementary level for six years. While teaching, she was a Replacement/Resource teacher and a basic skills teacher.

Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Reading and Early Childhood and a certification in Special Education through Wilkes University. Mrs. Switay also has a Masters of Science degree in Special Education, and a certification as a Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant through Monmouth University. In addition to teaching and being a member of the Child Study Team, Mrs. Switay is a Manchester Township School District Alumni.

Scott Hinninger, MSW, LSW....School Social Worker. Greetings. I am a 20 year member of the Manchester School district on the Child Study Team. I have prior experience working with homeless youth, mentally ill clients in community based supports as an alternative to institutional based placements and with the Department of Corrections in the case management and therapy roles. As a member of the Child Study Team I have case management responsibilities in both Whiting Elementary School (Monday and Tuesday) and Ridgeway Elementary School (Wednesday - Friday). I also have case management responsibilities with our students placed in out of district schools. Feel free to contact me if I can be of assistance. My school contact phone number is 732 323-0800 extension 5028.

Mr. Simpson is a Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant within the Manchester School District. He is the case manager for the Preschool Disabilities self-contained class and grade level students at Ridgeway. He has a background in special education and has taught in the BD setting at the Regional Day School, prior to joining the Child Study Team. Mr. Simpson's educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and a certification in Special Education through Stockton University. Mr. Simpson also has a Masters of Science degree in Special Education, and a certification as a Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant through Stockton University.

Scott Hinninger, MSW, LSW....School Social Worker. Greetings. I am a 20 year member of the Manchester School district on the Child Study Team. I have prior experience working with homeless youth, mentally ill clients in community based supports as an alternative to institutional based placements and with the Department of Corrections in the case management and therapy roles. As a member of the Child Study Team I have case management responsibilities in both Whiting Elementary School (Monday and Tuesday) and Ridgeway Elementary School (Wednesday - Friday). I also have case management responsibilities with our students placed in out of district schools. Feel free to contact me if I can be of assistance. My school contact phone number is 732 323-0800 extension 5028.

Mrs. Switay is a Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant within the Manchester School District. She is the case manager for the Preschool Disabilities self-contained class and the Multiple Disabilities Kindergarten self-contained class at Whiting, as well as the Language/Learning Disabilities self-contained class at Manchester Township Elementary. She has a background in special education and has taught at the elementary level for six years. While teaching, she was a Replacement/Resource teacher and a basic skills teacher.

Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Reading and Early Childhood and a certification in Special Education through Wilkes University. Mrs. Switay also has a Masters of Science degree in Special Education, and a certification as a Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant through Monmouth University. In addition to teaching and being a member of the Child Study Team, Mrs. Switay is a Manchester Township School District Alumni.