Dr. Denise Scairpon began her tenure in Washington Township Schools in September 1986. She has had many roles in the district, from Resource Room teacher, Preschool Disabilities teacher, Assistant Principal of the Benedict A. Cucinella School, Supervisor of Special Education and Related Services, and recently as Director of Special Education and Related Services. Previously, she worked in private and public schools working with students classified as emotionally disturbed in grades fourth through high school. Dr. Scairpon comes to her role as Director of Special Education and Related Services with over forty years of experience in special education, 36 of those years within our district.   After graduating from the College of Saint Elizabeth, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Psychology, Elementary Education, and a minor in Business Administration, she received her Masters from Montclair State University in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She became certified as a Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant. Dr. Scairpon received a second Masters in Educational Leadership and her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Centenary University. Throughout her career, Dr. Scairpon has been a consultant for the New Jersey State Department of Education and the New Jersey Education Association, conducting workshops throughout the tri-state area on early childhood, grant writing, and autism awareness.

Dr. Scairpon has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors in the area of special education. In the past, Dr. Scairpon and others in our special education department have received seven Innovations in Special Education Awards given by the New Jersey School Boards Association and ten NJEA Frederick L. Hipp Excellence in Education Awards. Under her leadership, her special education staff members continue to bring recognition and awards to our special services department. Dr. Scairpon continues to work as an adjunct professor at Centenary University in their graduate program.

Dr. Scairpon was born and raised in New Jersey and currently resides in Green Township, NJ, with her husband, Robert. Their three children, Amanda, Courtney, and Rebecca, all live nearby. Dr. Scairpon loves to read, cook, and spend time with her family.