Our Administrators

Mr. Edward Slattery, a Jersey City native, has served the Jersey City Public Schools for over 30 years. Mr. Slattery completed both his grammar and high school education at St. Aloysius Academy. Mr. Slattery went on to earn his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Chemistry from Seton Hall University, and went on to pursue an MBA in Finance from CUNY Baruch. Mr. Slattery began his educational career as a science teacher at Snyder High School. Mr. Slattery then went on to become one of the “Sovereign Seven” – a term coined at McNair Academic to describe the group of teachers tapped by founding principal Terrance Matthews to take the risk in leaving Snyder to establish the school. Mr. Slattery served in the classroom and as head of the science department from 1976 – 1989. He served as a vice principal of McNair twice – once as an interim vice principal in the 80s, and then uninterrupted following his permanent appointment in 1989.  

In 2006, Mr. Slattery was appointed principal of McNair Academic, following the retirement of Mr. Robert Roggenstein.During his tenure at McNair, Mr. Slattery championed and introduced the Advanced Placement program to the Jersey City Public Schools. He developed curriculum and taught the AP Chemistry, AP Physics and Introduction to Physical Science courses at McNair. He also was the charter adviser to the National Honor Society, founding the McNair chapter in 1978. In 1994, in recognition of his work as a vice principal, Mr. Slattery was awarded the Principals’ Society of America NJ Chapter “Golden Lamp” Award for vice principal of the year. Mr. Slattery is the father of three children, including twin sons. His current focus is on expanding the AP program at McNair to increase participation from our student body, and improve scores and boost course offerings.

Mrs. Alice Barone has served the Jersey City Public Schools for over 30 years. Born on a farm in Fairfax, Vermont, Mrs. Barone moved to Jersey City as a child, graduating from P.S. 6 and Dickinson High School. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from New Jersey City University in Elementary Education and went on to pursue her Master’s in Guidance, and a second Master’s degree in Administration and Supervision from the same institution. For over 15 years Mrs. Barone’s classrooms ranged from Kindergarten to sixth grade and she has served in P.S. 33, P.S. 2, P.S. 16, and P.S. 27. Many teachers and administrators in the Jersey City Public Schools were students of Mrs. Barone and indelibly remember the energy, compassion, and dedication she brought to her classroom.

In 1990, Mrs. Barone changed paths in her educational career and became a guidance counselor at McNair Academic.  As part of the Guidance Department, Mrs. Barone balanced the demanding tasks of administering high-stakes testing, college advising (no small task for a school with a 98% college-going rate), and providing an always sympathetic ear to every student, not simply those to whom she was assigned. During her 16 year tenure as counselor, Mrs. Barone aggressively built relationships with colleges to make sure they did not overlook the fine students being produced by the Jersey City Public Schools. Mrs. Barone was appointed Vice-Principal in 2006. Her next goals are to increase McNair’s standing as a competitive school, especially on the national level, and to improve our AP program. Mrs. Barone is the mother of two children, her daughter who is now herself a teacher.