Danvers Public Schools has named two new assistant directors of student services, Derrick Munyon, who will work at the elementary level, and Marla De La Cruz, who will oversee grades 6-12.
Munyon is replacing Eric Oxford, who moved to a position in Ipswich Public Schools as pupil personnel services director. A New Jersey native, Munyon spent the last 14 years in Lynnfield where he served as the preschool special education director since 2021, after six years of serving as program director for K-8 students.
“I’m excited to come to Danvers,” Munyon said. “I’m looking forward to getting to know the families and students, and the teachers who support all students in grades K-5.”
Munyon graduated from Northeastern University in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, before going on to earn his master’s from Simmons College in 2009. He then worked in a residential setting and shifted to home-based services. He began working in a public-school setting in 2009 and started in Lynnfield in 2010 as a behavior analyst.
“I really enjoy the family engagement,” Munyon said. “The last few years I have been the first person a family interacts with when their child turns 3 and enters the school system. I like being visible and engaging with students and getting to know them.”
Munyon, who will be based at Smith Elementary School, now lives in Beverly with his wife, Steffanie, and their son, Chase.
De La Cruz, a native of Puerto Rico, has worked as an educator for more than 20 years as a teacher, principal, and administrator in several districts. She comes to Danvers from the Methuen Public Schools, where she served as the high school’s special education coordinator. Prior to that she worked in the Groton-Dunstable school district for seven years.
De La Cruz, who lives in Methuen, earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Lesley University. She said she is “impressed with the warmth and kindness of the staff in Danvers and their eagerness to thrive as professionals dedicated to student growth and community partnerships.”
Munyon and De La Cruz will be working under Danvers’ new Director of Student Services Christina Ryan who was hired in April.
“We are pleased to have Derrick and Marla join our team,” Superintendent Dan Bauer said. “Along with Christina, they make up a great team and our students and families will benefit from the expertise and experience.”
Michael McHugh can be contacted at mmchugh@northofboston.com or at 781-799-5202