Title: Director of Enrichment Programs and Upper School Learning Specialist
Company: Saddle River Day School
Location: River Vale, New Jersey, United States
Erica Rose Cohen, PhD, Director of Enrichment Programs and Upper School Learning Specialist at Saddle River Day School, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements and leadership in Education.
Dr. Cohen, a second-generation American born in New York City, has built a career in education deeply influenced by her family’s history and values. Her grandparents, Holocaust survivors whose access to education was stripped away, instilled in her the belief that knowledge is both a privilege and a responsibility. This legacy of perseverance and the transformative power of learning has shaped Dr. Cohen’s professional journey and personal ethos.
In 2024, Dr. Cohen became the first director of enrichment programs at Saddle River Day School, where she also serves as a learning specialist. In these roles, she oversees neurodiverse students in grades five through 12, ensuring they receive appropriate accommodations and providing academic and executive functioning support in both small-group and one-on-one settings during the school day. Dr. Cohen is also responsible for planning, budgeting and implementing after-school programs, such as the Coaching Academy, the After-School Sports Club and the Music Institute, which run throughout the academic year in 10-week sessions.
Additionally, Dr. Cohen manages spring break and summer academies at Saddle River Day School. The Spring Break Academy provides structure, enrichment and meaningful activities for younger students, while the Summer Academy focuses on academic advancement for grades five through 12, offering high school-level courses and enrichment electives. Dr. Cohen also coordinates volunteer opportunities for upper school students, encouraging them to assist with younger students to earn community service hours while contributing to their school environment.
From 2020 to 2024, Dr. Cohen excelled as a middle school learning specialist and instructional support teacher at Saddle River Day School. In this capacity, she developed long-term relationships within the school community, supporting many students as they progressed from elementary or middle school into upper grades.
Before joining Saddle River Day School, Dr. Cohen worked as a special education teacher at Upper Saddle River Board of Education in Upper Saddle River Schools from 2018 to 2020. In 2018, she also held a position teaching special education at Teaneck Public School. Among other notable roles, Dr. Cohen was a special education teacher at Tenafly Public Schools, Englewood Public School District and Emerson Public Schools between 2016 and 2018. She began her professional journey as a substitute teacher with Kelly Education at Kelly Services in 2015.
Dr. Cohen’s academic achievements reflect her commitment to lifelong learning. Her educational foundation was laid at Pascack Valley High School, where she graduated with a high school diploma in 2011. Dr. Cohen then received a Bachelor of Arts in early childhood, elementary and special education in 2015 and a Master of Education in educational leadership in 2016 at Arcadia University, followed by a Doctor of Philosophy in education from Northcentral University (now National University) in 2025, becoming the first person in her family to attain a doctorate.
Throughout her career, Dr. Cohen has been an active member of several industry-related organizations, including the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Beyond her professional responsibilities, she is committed to civic engagement through volunteer work with local animal shelters and pet rescue organizations, including Pet ResQ.
Dr. Cohen takes pride in being the driving force behind the development of Saddle River Day School’s enrichment programs. She shaped the initial vision for these offerings and guided them from concept to successful implementation. Dr. Cohen’s ability to work across all grade levels has also allowed her to support students at every stage of their academic journey.
Eager for the future of her career, Dr. Cohen envisions taking on greater leadership responsibilities within student support services at Saddle River Day School as the needs of the student population requiring accommodations or academic support continue to grow. With experience spanning classroom teaching, program management, staff supervision at swim clubs, and directing summer camp initiatives, she is prepared to offer expanded mentorship while continuing direct work with students, the aspect of education she finds most rewarding.
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