District Leadership

Ms. Jennifer Saksa, Assistant Superintendent
Ms. Saksa has over 20 years of experience in a variety of educational settings and levels. Beginning her career as a high school English teacher, she wrote curricula, developed a strong rapport with students, and was proud to serve as a teacher leader.

As a middle school assistant principal, Ms. Saksa developed programming to cultivate a positive school climate, including rewards programs for both students and teachers. Later as an elementary school principal, she led an implementation of three new curricula which improved instruction and resulted in increased student achievement. As a K-12 Supervisor of Professional Learning, she eagerly spearheaded new, district-wide initiatives, carefully navigating the complexities of change, people, and programs.

Ms. Saksa received her B.A. in English from Widener University, her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from St. Joseph's University, and is currently a Doctoral Candidate in Educational Leadership at Neumann University. Ms. Saksa resides in Havertown with her husband and twin daughters who are Haverford students.

Ms. Martha Kew, Business Manager
Ms. Kew comes to Haverford from the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District where she has been the Business Administrator since 2016. Ms. Kew has over 19 years of experience in all fiscal matters including preparation of annual budget, annual financial reports, and management discussion and analysis. Ms. Kew oversaw the Food Services, Transportation, and Operations departments. Ms. Kew is knowledgable in latest legislative issues, working with and providing information to PASBO, PSBA, and the current local representation of the Senate and House regarding various legislative issues. She is also a Trustee of the Delaware County Public Schools Healthcare Trust. 

Ms. Nicole Battestelli, Director of Pupil Services and Special Education
Ms. Battestelli has 13 years of experience in education. Her roles in the district have included Special Education Teacher/Blended School Department Chair, Pupil Services Coordinator and most recently as Coordinator of Elementary Special Programs. 

Ms. Battestelli has a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education, Elementary Education, and American Studies from LaSalle University and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from St. Joseph's University.

Ms. Christina Carter, Director of Learning and Assessment
Ms. Carter has over nine years of experience in education, most recently serving as an Elementary Principal in the North Penn School District. She identified and monitored Title 1 goals to improve student achievement by providing access to resources and opportunities for students to learn and grow. She coordinated home support and community resources for ELL and financially struggling families. Ms. Carter was a member of the Cultural Proficiency and Equity Executive Committee for the District, working to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion for students and staff around district goals.

In her roles as the District-wide Instructional Coach of Reading and Department Chair of Reading in the Upper Darby School District, she supported teachers in reading interventions and English Language Arts (ELA) across the district. She evaluated the effectiveness of the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and led professional developments on the topics of progress monitoring and fidelity of programs. Ms. Carter managed College and Career Data for the PA Future Ready Index submissions.

Ms. Carter earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Temple University, a Master of Education from Cabrini University, and a School Leadership Program Certificate from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education.

Mr. John Nolan, Interim Director of Human Resources