Imagine listening to a teacher suggest an entire career path for you, then putting all of your trust into that advice – and having it all pay off by finding a rewarding life in the classroom. This was a reality for Syrena LoRe, new English supervisor at West Essex, whose experience in college led to more than 20 years in education and her new position here as a department supervisor.
LoRe was an English major at Montclair State University with a concentration in Creative Writing when a chance encounter with a professor who suggested she pursue teaching led her to landing a scholarship and teaching incoming freshmen as part of one of MSU’s programs, which focuses on giving students from underrepresented populations and areas academic and financial support for success in college.
“It was sort of my first foray into teaching, and I really liked it,” LoRe said. “But I didn’t know if I wanted to stay at the college level … I really liked them, and I realized: They’re young, they’re right out of high school. So that is what inspired me to go and teach high school.”
She graduated with a bachelor’s in English and later earned her master’s degree in American Literature from MSU. After she began teaching, she later went back to school in 2020 for a master’s in Educational Leadership from William Paterson. She worked in a number of districts, with her most recent position being an English teacher in West Milford for 12 years. LoRe said she greatly valued her experiences in the classroom as preparation for her new role as a supervisor
“After 20 years in the classroom, I always kind of knew that being an administrator was the side I was interested in,” LoRe said.
She said the collaborative, welcoming environment of West Essex has helped her transition into the district, adding that she was glad to find her new environment was as exciting as she hoped.
“I think that the students are wonderful,” LoRe said. “I think the teachers are so talented and knowledgeable … It’s easy to see why West Essex has the reputation that it does, but also everything that it equips students for in the future [since] students are really engaged.”
As a new supervisor, LoRe said she wants to maintain the standards of excellence and the routines that made her department successful before she arrived, helping keep teachers comfortable with the change while also suggesting paths forward to make things even better.
“Giving my teachers grace in that capacity is really my goal, just making the transition smooth and comfortable for everybody,” she said. “There’s always room to grow, but that doesn’t mean it has to happen all at once.”
LoRe said she sees her role as a valuable way to keep communication with parents of West Essex families open, transparent and positive. She wants to take the time to build connections with parents, so she can have positive conversations and resolve any issues effectively.
“I think so much can be resolved and be and so many relationships are established positively when you just take the time to have conversations with people,” she said.
Change can be intimidating at times, but in the end, LoRe said she’s finding her own adjustment to getting to know West Essex – and for West Essex to get to know her – positive, as she finds the district incredibly welcoming.
“It really is just a nice little pocket of the world,” LoRe said.
