Mrs. Michele Gonzalez
Director of Special Services

Ms. Michele Gonzalez was named Director of Special Services in 2019 and  is proud to serve the students of Ridgefield Park School District. She received a Bachelors of Science Degree from Rutgers University, a Baccalaureate Degree from Felician University, a Masters in Special Education from William Paterson University, and a Leadership  Program Certification at Stockton University.   After serving the district as a special educator  and  Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant for 13 years, Ms. Gonzalez supervised the Ridgefield Park Junior Senior High School Special Education Department until 2019.  In this role, she supervised curriculum, instruction, and assessment for the faculty, the related service providers and the Child Study Team.

As Director, Ms. Gonzalez  strives to provide progressive programs for our students, and is responsible for  the oversight of all operations of our districts’ Special Services. She works collaboratively with the Administrative team to provide our students with the least restrictive environment in which to be educated.  Ms. Gonzalez presently serves on the Response To Intervention and Social and Emotional Learning district committees, as well as the BOE Social Justice subcommittee.

Mr. John Hayes
Supervisor of Special Education

Mr. John Hayes is the district's Supervisor of Special Education. Mr. Hayes graduated from Monmouth University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication; he holds two Master of Arts in Education from St. Peter's University and Graduate Certificates from the Florida Institute of Technology in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). He is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Before taking on the Supervisor role, Mr. Hayes served as District Behaviorist and taught an Intermediate Multiple Disabilities Program in Ridgefield Park for over a decade. In addition to his work in Ridgefield Park, Mr. Hayes has experience in the private sector running social skills programs, working as a parent trainer, and supervising ABA therapists during in-home programming. As Supervisor for Ridgefield Park Public Schools, he oversees curriculum, instruction, scheduling, and staff development. Mr. Hayes serves as Special Education Parent Advisory Committee Liaison.