About

Dr. Bobbie Downs Assistant Superintendent

Dr. Bobbie Downs is currently an Assistant Superintendent at Burlington County Special Services School District. She also facilitates the Burlington County Professional Development Institute and Burlington County School Crisis Response Team.

Dr. Downs decided to pursue a career in education after serving as a teacher and administrator in a school for Sudanese refugees in Cairo, Egypt. Since that time, Dr. Downs served in the role of teacher and administrator at the Burlington County Alternative School before being named Director of the ESU. Dr. Downs received her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Master’s Degree in Teaching from Drew University. Later, Dr. Downs earned her Master’s degree in School Leadership and her Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Rowan University. Dr. Downs also holds a Graduate Certificate of Autism Education. She recently earned a Masters in Restorative Practices from the International Institute for Restorative Practices. She is a certified mindfulness instructor for Mindful Schools and an instructor for Youth Mental Health First Aid. She also works for the Korean War Legacy Foundation and the World History Digital Education Foundation. She was named the 2024 NJPSA Visionary Director of the Year.

Ms. Diane Dinovelli- Assistant Director- Nonpublic Diane Dinovelli is the Assistant Director for Nonpublic Services, including Nonpublic Child Study Team and Speech, Nonpublic Instruction, and Nonpublic Related Services. Diane obtained her undergraduate degree in Psychology at LaSalle University and her Master's Degree in Applied Psychology from Rowan University. She continued her graduate training and earned an Educational Specialist degree and National Certification in School Psychology. In 2003, her educational career began in the Egg Harbor Township School District as a School Psychologist assisting students in grades pre-kindergarten to third. The following school year Diane worked in the Willingboro School District as a School Psychologist with students in the elementary grades. In 2006, Diane joined the Burlington County Institute of Technology team and served in various roles to include School Psychologist, District Anti-Bullying Coordinator, District Social Emotional Leader, Burlington County School Crisis Team Member, 504 Committee Member, and School Safety Team Member. Believing in the value of lifelong learning, Diane earned her Principal Certificate of Eligibility from NJEXCEL. In 2023 with the desire to continue serving the students of Burlington County, Diane accepted a position at ESU as a School Psychologist and was promoted to Assistant Director shortly after. Throughout her career, she has been an active member of the New Jersey Association of School Psychologists (NJASP) and the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).

Dr. Alexis Gervasini Assistant Director- Public Dr. Alexis Gervasini is the Assistant Director of Public CST, Related Services, and Work-Based Instruction at the Educational Services Unit (ESU) for the Burlington County Special Services School District. Dr. Gervasini decided to pursue a career in education because of her passion for equity, inclusion, and diversity and her desire to make a difference in the lives of all children. Dr. Gervasini has worked for the NYC Department of Education, the Boys and Girls Club of Monmouth County, the Lakewood Board of Education, and the South Amboy Board of Education in various teaching, leadership, and programming capacities. Dr. Gervasini received her Master's Degree in Special Education from Pace University and her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Monmouth University.