Mitzi J. Sierra

Mitzi Sierra serves as an assistant principal and instructional leader specializing in early childhood education and elementary education in North Jersey. She began her professional journey in travel and tourism, managing a travel agency until the events of 9-11 prompted a career pivot into education. After substituting and taking over a first-grade classroom where her students achieved top standardized test scores, Sierra earned her bachelor's degree from Bloomfield College while raising a family and working as a paraprofessional. She continued her studies at Thomas Edison University, obtaining a master's in educational leadership and principal and supervisory certification. Sierra taught in the classroom until 2020 before transitioning into leadership roles mentoring and coaching teachers. In her current position, she supports teaching and learning as an instructional leader and serves as district testing coordinator. She is a member of NJPSA and runs the National Elementary Honor Society program at her school. Sierra credits her success to the leaders and hard workers she surrounds herself with, including friends and family, and she follows the advice to grow through every season of her career by asking questions, learning from setbacks, and moving forward.