By Benjamin Rothstein

DOVER — Academy of Dover Charter School has found its new principal and assistant head of school in Mondaria Galloway.

She will serve with head of school Dr. Michele Marinucci and is thrilled to be taking the position at the K-8 facility on South Saulsbury Road.

“One thing that I’m fortunate (for) is to be walking into such a well-oiled machine, honestly, with staff members that are so dedicated to supporting students,” she said.

“When you look around at the climate of education right now, you have teachers just walking out and not showing up, and one of the things that I don’t have to spend a lot of time on (is) this culture here.”

Ms. Galloway began her career in the Woodbridge School District 15 years ago, as a special education teacher working under Dr. Marinucci, the special education coordinator at the time.

So, this new hiring is somewhat like a reunion.

“(Dr. Marinucci) kind of took me under her wing, taught me everything (about) special education and has been a mentor ever since,” Ms. Galloway said.

The respect between the pair goes both ways.

“When I first met Mondaria 15 years ago, she had that incredible passion. The flash in her eye when she was able to reach a student and the spark and, with the passion, also the knowledge,” Dr. Marinucci said.

“(She’s) able to put those two pieces together to really make that difference. In the 15 years that I’ve known her, I’ve continued to watch her develop, grow and be many of the qualities and characteristics that I aspire to have within myself and within others.”

After her time at Woodbridge, Ms. Galloway began a similar position in the Appoquinimink School District in 2018. She later became a building administrator at Middletown High School.

While the Academy of Dover’s summer instruction program is well underway, preparation is also starting for the 2024-25 year, with a staff retreat.

“We’re pulling together some of our leaders so that we can get some cross-curricular ideas going,” Ms. Galloway said. “We’re talking instruction, but we’re also talking safety and security. We’re talking data. We’re talking attendance. We’re just talking all school systems and support so that we can make sure that we’re starting the year strong with all the supports in place.”

She said she’s eager to get started.

“I am just really, really excited. I don’t know that I’ve been this excited in a very long time,” she added. “I’m just excited to get the school year started, supporting our families, supporting our students and just watching the academy continue to soar.”