West Orange High School welcomed a new Dean of Students this year, Mr. Viney, a seasoned educator with over two decades of experience. Every great story begins with a personal journey. For Mr. Viney, the Dean at West Orange High School, that journey is deeply rooted in his early life, family, and the experiences that shaped him into an educator and leader.
Viney accepted the position of the previous dean, Mr. Maniscalco, who retired on December 31st, 2024. The Pioneer had the pleasure of interviewing him and is looking forward to his continuous contributions to the West Orange Public Schools district.
Mr. Viney was born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey, and now resides in West Orange with his family. Growing up in Jersey City during challenging times, he credits his early environment and family as the foundation of his lifelong commitment to education, “I grew up in Jersey City during the height of the crack and AIDS epidemic. I was blessed that my family was always middle class. My mom was an educator. My dad, who has since passed away, was also an educator,” he fondly reflects.
He started at Piscataway High School in 1998, where he quickly became known not just as a teacher but as someone who truly cared about his students. He specialized in African American Studies, World History, and U.S. History, and he was passionate about bringing the rich tapestry of human experience to life.
He was given the opportunity to write the curriculum for the African American Studies class. “My class was so big, we had to move into our second auditorium. My class was 60 students, and I taught in the college lecture style. What I really loved was that we were able to just delve into the real topics and issues, good, great, and also the challenging ones that make up the African American experience… I felt like you really could not tell the African American experience story properly without including it in the African diaspora.”
His innovative curriculum not only created a special bond with his students but earned him recognition as the NJ Amistad State Teacher of the Year for Black Studies in 2007.
Later, Viney was promoted to Dean of Students at Piscataway High School in the winter of 2020. However, with his new position came some challenges. “So what was wild about that was COVID hits, and we have to navigate the class of 2020 into graduation.”
He told The Pioneer that he had continued his position as Dean of students until the Fall of 2024. “As great as Piscataway was, you know, the community is the family sometimes, there are times when you just know if it’s time to do something different and it’s time.”
Viney was recruited initially to become PTA president of West Orange High School, but after interviewing with Principal Guerrero and others, the position of Dean opened up. His decision to make the move to West Orange High School was driven by a mix of personal and professional factors, “ I want to spend a little more time with my daughter. I love the leadership here. I love the community, and it has the student population that I enjoy working with, and I felt I can help contribute.”
When asked about his goals for his new position, he clarified that he doesn’t necessarily have goals but a number one objective, “ It’s always important to know the students and the human side of students… The objective is, overall, to aid and assist students in being ready for life beyond high school. Discipline isn’t just about punishment. It’s about the consistent behaviors one needs to reach the goals they desire.”
For Mr. Viney, discipline does not merely mean enforcing rules but guiding students to understand the bigger picture. He strives to connect with as many students as possible, even those who are not necessarily in trouble. He believes that knowing them and providing support fosters a sense of community and responsibility.
His objective is for every student to feel seen and heard, making sure their success isn’t just about academics but holistic personal development. “I want all the students, whether in my cohort or not, to know I care about them. I don’t want the students who get into trouble to be the only ones who know me. I make sure to visit with students who are doing well, too, just to check on their progress and to hear about their plans—what’s next after high school?”
When asked about his favorite parts of being a dean, his love for connecting with students shone through “Oh, heck yeah! Honestly, I wouldn’t wake up every morning just to suspend kids. That’s not the job. What excites me is getting to know these students because I think I am truly blessed to share in the transformative experiences they’re going through.
Viney’s roots in Jersey City and his journey to Boston College shaped his understanding of the importance of opportunity. His upbringing fueled his belief in providing students with information they may not otherwise encounter. For example, he shared, “If a senior is thinking about going to Temple University, that’s great—but do they know that Temple has a campus in Japan? Have they thought about what that opportunity could mean? For me, it’s not only about passing on opportunity—it’s about providing the perspective to make the best choice for their lives.”
Celebrating the town’s diversity and the student body’s varied backgrounds is also at the heart of Viney’s approach. In a multicultural setting, tolerance, compassion, and open-mindedness become essential for him. He firmly believes that diversity prepares students for a life beyond the classroom, “Diversity is a responsibility. When you’re surrounded by students from Black, white, Muslim, Jewish, Indian, Haitian, Latino, Polish—just to name a few—you’re learning far more than what a book can teach you. You’re laughing together, joking together. You aren’t toying with stereotypes; you’re becoming friends. That empathy drives much deeper understanding. When students of different backgrounds share that humanity, they’re more open to the world and what it has to offer.”
Viney’s larger goal for his legacy at West Orange High isn’t wrapped in accolades or achievements. Rather, it derives from a willingness to show up and make a difference, “I think it’s the same one that I came in with as an educator. I just want to be able to help and contribute to the academic and life outcomes of students in a positive way. That’s it. That’s my mission—when students hear my name, they’ll remember, Viney, he helped me.’
In every interaction he has, Viney’s goal is clear: to guide students toward realizing their full potential, both academically and personally, by being a steady, supportive presence in their lives.
