About

About Ronnie Tarchichi

Ronnie Tarchichi has an impressive educational background, with several doctoral and master’s degrees in various subjects. His highest achievements include a Doctor of Philosophy in Education, which he earned from Temple University in 2020 with a concentration in Special Education. Prior to that, he obtained a Doctor of Education from Rowan University in 2016, where he specialized in Educational Leadership.

In addition to his doctorate, Dr. Tarchichi holds six master’s degrees. From 2015 to 2018, he completed two Master of Arts Degrees at Rowan University, one in Learning Disabilities and the other in Special Education. Earlier in his academic journey, he earned a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from The College of New Jersey in 2011.

He also holds a Master of Biomedical Science from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and a Master of Science in Biology from Rutgers University. He completed his first Master of Education in Physical Education and Exercise Science at The College of New Jersey in 2005. His academic achievements began with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Philosophy from West Virginia University, which he completed in 2004.

Professional Experience in K-12 Education

In 2024, Dr. Tarchichi became the Executive Director of Education and Principal at the Mary Dobbins School & Legacy Treatment Services in Hainesport, New Jersey. In this role, he oversees the academic and therapeutic environment for grades 5 to 12. Dr. Tarchichi supports each student’s emotional, intellectual, and behavioral development, guiding them toward academic and personal growth success. Not only does Dr. Tarchichi serve as the Chief School Administrator and Building Principal, but he also serves as the Learning Disability Teacher Consultant (LDTC) of the Child Study Team. Dr. Tarchichi is charged with the growth, renovation, and educational expansion of the Mary A. Dobbis School.

From 2016 to 2024, Ronnie served as the Superintendent of Pennsauken Public School, a PreK-12 district with a budget of $172 million. During his time here, he initiated over 20 career and technical education programs, including carpentry, automobile technology, HVAC, electrical construction, culinary arts, baking, Air Force JROTC, and cosmetology. He built and initiated each of the 20 career and technical education programs during his tenure as Superintendent. Dr. Tarchichi built the first and only Puratos baking career and technical education program in the United States of America, which is housed at Pennsauken High School. Athletically, Dr. Tarchichi built a state-of-the-art $7,000,000 Field House, put lights on the football field, built an eight8-lane competition track that houses NJ State NJSIAA competitions, and started athletic teams such as Crew and Ice Hockey.

Furthermore, he created articulation agreements with multiple universities and colleges so his students could earn an associate’s degree (60 college credits) before they graduate high school. His accomplishments at Pennsauken also included building New Jersey’s first-ever number-one-ranked State School in the History of Pennsauken, the Roosevelt STEM School. The Pennsauken Board of Education gave Dr. Tarchichi two awards during his tenure: the “Superintendent’s Academic Achievement Award” in 2024 and a “Courageous Leadership Award” in 2020 for his leadership during Covid-19.

Before his Tenure in Pennsauken, Dr. Tarchichi was Superintendent and Principal of Woodlynne School District from 2013 to 2016. He managed a $13 million budget and led numerous improvements, including a substantial increase in student achievement, raising Woodlynne’s test scores substantially to bring the district into substantial academic progress it had been lacking prior to his arrival. During this time, he secured a $4 million ROD Grant, facilitating various facility upgrades. Before his departure from Woodlynne School District, the Mayor and Police Chief honored Dr. Tarchichi with a Leadership Award for completely renovating the Woodlynne School District.

In his earlier roles, Dr. Tarchichi worked as Vice Principal at Salem County Vocational Technical Schools from 2012 to 2013. Before that, he served as Supervisor of Secondary Education at Mercer County Technical Schools from 2010 to 2012, overseeing curriculum development, hiring, and student assessments. Dr. Tarchichi was instrumental in the launching of the Mercer County Technical Schools’ Health Science Academy, which was a new Technical High School focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). In this role, Dr. Tarchichi was a teaching supervisor, teaching advanced biology while serving as an educational supervisor. Ronnie’s teaching career began in 2004 when he taught general science and health & physical education at Urban Promise Charter School. Over the years, he taught biology, chemistry, and physical sciences at various institutions, including Abraham Lincoln High School, Samuel S. Fels High School, Camden County Technical Schools, and Overbrook High School, and he even taught Physics at Pennsauken High School in his role as Superintendent because of a statewide science teacher shortage.

Experience in Post-Secondary Education

In addition to his work in K-12 education, Dr. Tarchichi taught at the college level. From 2012 to 2017, he served as an Adjunct Professor of Biology at Rowan University, teaching courses that prepare students for careers in health and science fields. His teaching experience extended to other institutions, including Burlington County College and Mercer County College, where he taught biology, chemistry, and microbiology subjects. Ronnie also participated in the Upward Bound Program at Temple University, where he helped high school students prepare for college by teaching them foundational science subjects.

Vocational Experience in the Culinary Field

Dr. Tarchichi’s professional journey also includes a unique vocational background in the culinary arts. For 25 years, he worked as the Head Cook in his family’s restaurant, where he perfected his skills in food preparation, menu creation, and quality food service. Working alongside his lovely mother, Dr. Tarchichi gained an understanding of customer service and food safety practices, skills that he carried into his later professional roles. The most important thing Dr. Tarchichi learned during this journey was the unconditional love from his mother that he carries with him for his sons and his colleagues.

Certifications in Education

Dr. Tarchichi holds several educational certifications that qualify him for various administrative and instructional roles. He is certified as a Superintendent, Principal, and Supervisor and as a Certified Educational Facilities Manager (CEFM). His instructional certifications include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Culinary Arts, Driver’s Education, Health and Physical Education, and Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TOSD). Dr. Tarchichi’s certifications span across the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.

Achievements and Accomplishments

Recipient of Superintendent’s Academic Achievement Award for creating the #1 school in the state of New Jersey according to the Accountability Scores for the 2023-24 school year.
Recipient of Dr. Tarchichi Courageous Leadership Award from Pennsauken Public Schools for the 2020-21 school year.
Interviewed for “A Fresh Start: Efforts to Expand Career-Technical Education Show Promise,” which was published in New Jersey School Boards Association in the School Leader Journal (pages 21-27).
2019 Presentation in Atlantic City for New Jersey School Boards Association for Career and Technical Education (CTE). The presentation focused on the increased need for CTE for students in the State of New Jersey and the expansion of CTE in Comprehensive and Vocational School Districts.
2016 Woodlynne School District Leadership Award given to Dr. Tarchichi from the Woodlynne Mayor and Police Chief.
2012 Mercer County Technical Schools Science Award.

Dr. Tarchichi has written two published dissertations entitled:

1. “Writing to Learn Strategies on Student Learning in Biology: An Experiment with Students with Specific Learning Disabilities.” This was written for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Special Education from Temple University.

2. “The Impact of Mathematics, Science, and Language Arts Writing to Learn Strategies on the Culture of Learning in Primary and Secondary Students.” This was written for the Doctor of Education Degree in Educational Leadership from Rowan University.

Throughout his career, Dr. Tarchichi has made substantial contributions to the districts he has served.

As Superintendent:

Dr. Tarchichi’s work in Woodlyne, for example, led to significant improvements in student achievement and school facilities. By the time he left, the district had achieved notable success in standardized testing, with scores rising dramatically.
Dr. Tarchichi’s Tenure at Pennsauken Public Schools also brought positive changes, including developing a multitude of career-focused educational programs, the introduction of new facilities, building a full-day pre-kindergarten education program, and developing dual credit programs so students could graduate high school with up to 60 college credits. Enrollment increased substantially; for example, enrollment in Pennsauken High School was 1100 students in 2016 when Dr. Tarchichi arrived and increased to over 1600 students when Dr. Tarchichi left in 2024.
Dr. Tarchichi’s work has been featured in several news articles, including coverage of Pennsauken High School’s new baking program, which he helped establish in partnership with Puratos.