Sandra Marie Mordecai started her journey as an education advocate serving on the PTA, Parents Advocating for Special Services in Education (PASSE), New Jersey’s Statewide Parent Advocacy Network and the Special Education Leadership Council advocating for students with special education and her son. Sandra was elected to the West Orange Board of Education in 2010, and re-elected in a landslide in both 2013 and 2016. She has worked to strengthen public education by serving on the West Orange Board and is currently the President for the second time. She achieved Certificated Board Member status in 2013, Master Board Member in 2015 and Certified Board Leader in 2017. She is a member of the Board's Diversity, Sustainability, Professional Development, Small Learning Communities Committees, and former Board Liaison to the West Orange Township.
Ms. Mordecai is the President of the Essex County School Boards Association (ECSBA), a member of the Board of Directors of the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA), former Legislative Co-Chair and Delegate to both the ECSBA and the NJSBA.
Ms. Mordecai has served on the West Orange Human Relations and Public Relations Commissions. She is a member of the West Orange African Heritage Organization and former co-chair of Membership. She has participated in both West Orange and Montclair Conversations on Race programs, received the Kwanzaa Award of Excellence and the Women's History Month Award for Outstanding Service to the West Orange Public Schools and Community.
Ms. Mordecai is a member of several organizations including, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and member of its Economic Development Committee, League of Women Voters, New Jersey Citizen Action, Blue Wave New Jersey, Building One New Jersey, Board Member of the Essex County Chapter of the Jamaica Organization of New Jersey and member of Wolmer's High School Alumni Association, New York Chapter.
Ms. Mordecai formerly of Kingston, Jamaica is a long time resident of West Orange and has two wonderful sons, Nigel and Nicholas, who attended West Orange Schools. She holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Management from Rutgers University, Paralegal Degree from Upsala College and an Associates Degree from Essex County College. She is an active member and former Vestry Board Member of St. Luke's Church, Montclair.