Creating Resilient Schools with a Trauma-Responsive MTSS

Dr. Norma Fernandez is the chief school administrator for the Jersey City Public Schools. She began teaching with the Jersey City Public Schools, in 1982. She attended Jersey City State College, completed a master’s, and received a certificate in Bilingual Bicultural Education. She later returned and completed an MA in Urban Education specializing in Educational Administration and Supervision. The district recognized Norma as the teacher of the year in 1994. In 2009, Norma completed the Executive Doctorate in Education at Seton Hall University. She was promoted to work at the Central Office as a Special Assistant for Division B and later as an interim Associate Superintendent supervising 22 schools. As the leadership changed, the superintendent promoted Dr. Fernandez to Deputy Superintendent and spokesperson for the Jersey City Public Schools. In 2022, the Jersey City Board of Education gave Dr. Fernandez a contract as the Chief School Administrator. She has been married to her high school sweetheart for over 40 years and is the happy mother of two adult sons. She is also the grandmother of Matthew James and Charlotte Rose. Dr. Fernandez is committed to learning and empowering others to acquire the skills and strength to follow their passion.

Salvador Arias is a Principal with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Alternative Education program. Salvador grew up in gang-infested neighborhoods in Los Angeles, California. Throughout his life, he had many caring adults who helped him turn his life around, including teachers, coaches, and concerned parents. Salvador has worked in education for over 17 years in numerous roles including Safe Schools, Child Welfare and Attendance, Mental Health, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, and many others. After graduating high school, Salvador joined the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged after serving eight years. After his discharge, he went to work for the Kern County Probation Department as a Juvenile Correction Officer and decided to go back to school. Salvador has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Master’s degree in Social Work. Salvador holds a Pupil Personnel Services Credential, an Administrator Services Credential, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Salvador has been married to his lovely wife Monica for over 29 years and has four children.

Pamela Vona is the Co-Founder of the Center for Safe and Resilient Schools and Workplaces. Ms. Vona has worked with private corporations, public agencies and school districts to assess and promote organizational wellness. Ms. Vona served as a lead developer of the Trauma Responsive School Implementation Assessment—an online assessment designed to help schools enhance their ability to support students and educators affected by trauma.  She is also the lead developer of the Trauma Informed Skills for Educators (TISE) , a curriculum designed to enhance educators’ trauma knowledge and skills. Ms. Vona served on the School Committee Workgroup for the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) and previously was a member of the NCTSN Policy Task Force. Ms. Vona is completing her Doctorate in Leadership and Organizational Change. Her dissertation “Organizational Change Through Trauma-informed Leadership” has contributed to the development of CSRs most recent curriculum “Trauma-Informed Decision-Making for School Leaders”.