The Speakers
Presenter Info
Mr. Zachary Morolda
District Supervisor | Department for Applied Arts & Careers Technology
Monroe Township School District (MTSD)
Mr. Morolda has worked in the Monroe Township School District since 2007; and has been the District Supervisor of the Department for Applied Arts and Careers Technology since 2014. Under his supervision, STEM programming and enrollment in the MTSD has increased by over 250% (since 2015) and earned full accreditation from the NJDOE and Project Lead the Way (PLTW).
Mr. Morolda holds a Bachelors Degree in Environmental and Business Economics from Rutgers University (2004); and earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and School Administration from Monmouth University (2014). He is currently enrolled in Rowan University’s doctoral program for Educational Leadership.
Mrs. Vanitha Gaurishanker
Teacher of Engineering | Robotics Club & Technology Club Advisor | STEM Academy Mentor
A computer engineer teaching for the past 6 years - Computer Teacher (Jamesburg - 2 years) and Teacher of Engineering (MTHS - 4 years), Mrs. G emphasizes on maintaining professional etiquette and building an Engineering mindset as we mold the future engineers of the next generation.
With a Bachelor's in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, a Master's in Computer Engineering, core trained in 4 PLTW courses (IED, POE, DEII & EDD) she hopes to steer the Engineering program at MTHS and provide students with multiple opportunities to learn new skills and explore their creative side while making a career choice.
Ms. Meghan Cobb
Teacher of Engineering | Unified Careers Technology | Technology Club & UP Dance Advisor
Meghan Cobb graduated from TCNJ and began her teaching journey at Monroe Township High School.
She is currently in her second year of teaching and has loved every minute of it, despite teaching mostly in a pandemic environment! She teaches Introduction to Engineering Design, Digital Electronics 1, and Unified Careers Technology.
Meghan had the honor of starting up the Unified Careers Technology course her first year as well as advising the Technology Club: TSA and UP Dance beginning her second year.
Mr. Maxie Nixon
Civil Engineering | CAD & Drafting Teacher MTHS
Engineering, CAD and STEM instructor with 15 years of teaching experience, 8 years of running a full-service CAD drafting and design firm and a variety of industry management positions.
Joined MTHS Industrial Arts Team in the winter of 2020, in pursuit of helping grow the program to new heights.
Ms. Sarah Cummings
MTMS Fundamentals of Engineering & Multimedia Teacher | Head Girls Varsity Field Hockey Coach | Assistant Girls Lacrosse Coach
Sarah Cummings is the middle school Fundamentals of Engineering & Multimedia teacher.
She has worked in the district for 8 years and in addition to teaching, she is the Varsity field hockey coach, Assistant lacrosse coach, and Technology Student Association advisor.
Paul Barsa, Alumni MTHS (Class of 2020)
Mechanical Engineering Student at Georgia Tech
Paul Barsa is currently a mechanical engineering student at Georgia Tech. He was part of the robotics club all four years at MTHS and was a co-president his junior and senior year. Today, he is a member of the GT BattleBots club, a volunteer at his school's makerspace, and a project manager for a humanoid robot research team.
Not everyone is going to commit themselves to robotics after high school like he did, but he firmly believes that his experiences in robotics club and MTHS STEM classes have helped him to find success in college.
Skills like the design process, using CAD, familiarity with different parts, hands on practice, and working with a team have all helped to prepare him for the world of college engineering and beyond.
Current Students MTHS
Various students representing the MTHS will be sharing their experiences about taking the engineering track offered at the high school. They will also talk about the integration of STEM into the curriculum and after school activities like Robotics & Technology clubs.