CSCD Consultants

Eileen Dachnowicz

PACES Project Coordinator

Eileen Dachnowicz retired after 35 years in secondary education in New York City and New Jersey. The supervisor of academic affairs of Cranford High School, she guided the character education/service-learning program of the school, which became the first public school in New Jersey to be recognized as a National School of Character (2004).

She is currently a consultant, writer and PACES program coordinator for the Center for Social and Character Development at Rutgers University. She is also a writer, a trainer and an NSOC screener and site visitor for the Character Education Partnership in Washington, DC.

Dr. Mariann Helfant

FCSCCE Project Coordinator

Dr. Mariann Helfant is a retired educator with over 30 years experience in both administration and teaching. She received her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from the University of Connecticut, a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education from Kean University, a second Master's degree in Educational Administration from Seton Hall, and her Doctorate in Educational Leadership, Management and Policy from Seton Hall University. She is the Immediate Past President of New Jersey ASCD and a member of the International ASCD Leadership Council. Dr. Helfant is a state-appointed mentor for new administrators and serves on several partnership teams with NJPSA, the NJDOE and the Center for Effective Educational Practice. She has been married to her husband, Rex, for 42 years, has three children and six grandchildren.

Dr. Helfant is currently serving as the Project Coordinator for the Fostering Change in School Culture through Character Education Project, at the Center for Social and Character Development at Rutgers University.