After 18 Years, Governor Livingston Physics Teacher Dan McGovern Resigns, Heads to Morris Hills

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, N.J. — Dan McGovern, a physics and calculus teacher at Governor Livingston High School for 18 years, has resigned — a move that appeared on the Berkeley Heights Board of Education agenda Wednesday night, effective June 30 — and will join Morris Hills High School in the fall, he confirmed this week."It wasn't an easy decision, but one that felt as if the time was right," McGovern said. "I'm not retiring, but resigning."McGovern also took the opportunity to correct a statement made by Board of Education member Gale Bradford at Wednesday's meeting. "I did not co-found the robotics club — I'm not even sure who did," he said. "But I did found our chapter of the Science National Honor Society."A Career Defined by Range and RelationshipsOver nearly two decades at GL, McGovern taught Physics Concepts, Physics, Honors Physics, AP Physics 1, AP Physics C, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, and Forensic Science. He also advised multiple prom classes, Junior State of America, the National Honor Society, and the Science National Honor Society.For McGovern, the deepest reward was watching former students succeed long after leaving room 213."One of the greatest joys I've been able to experience because I've been here so long is reconnecting with former students and hearing how successful they became," he said — citing a former AP student now flying commercial planes and a physics concepts student who became an electrician. "Knowing that what we did together in room 213 mattered for so many is something I will always carry with me."Union Leadership Through a Defining EraMcGovern served the Berkeley Heights Education Association in multiple roles over the years — as a building representative, treasurer for six years, and president for one term. His tenure as president proved to be among the most consequential in recent memory.He helped close a contract negotiation with the Board of Education that had stretched more than two years and went to mediation — a process he said concluded "100% for the BHEA and 0% for the BOE." That victory was immediately followed by the COVID-19 pandemic."My only hope when my colleagues think of my legacy as their BHEA president is that they know deep down I did everything I possibly could to keep students and staff safe during that time," he said.A Personal NoteMcGovern also made sure to note one chapter of his GL career that will not be closing: it was at Governor Livingston where he met his wife, special education teacher Christine DiNoia."I will not be resigning from my position as husband," he said.Looking AheadThe Morris Hills Regional District Board of Education approved McGovern's appointment as a Teacher of Science at Morris Hills High School during its April 27 meeting, at a salary of $95,250 — a figure publicly available in the district's approved agenda. According to Berkeley Heights BOE salary records approved last May, McGovern earned $117,777 in the current school year. The move represents a significant pay cut — one he is apparently willing to make.McGovern left with a word of thanks — and a charge."Local news is so important — keep fighting the good fight for democracy," he told TAPinto.His position at Morris Hills High School begins in the fall.