Attending the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents Annual National Summit? Connect with our NorthStar team! NorthStar founder Dr. Leila Nuland and Matthew J. Murphy, Ed.D., will be presenting, with Dr. Sarena Shivers and Peter Burrows, D.Ed., also in attendance. We look forward to connecting with fellow education leaders, sharing ideas, and exploring how we can elevate excellence together. #elevateexcellence

Encouraging news: new CDC findings reported by The New York Times show improvements in teen mental health from the worst levels of the pandemic. That’s reason for hope, but we’re not out of the woods yet. We need to keep listening to young people, supporting families, and making mental health care accessible. Progress is worth celebrating and building on. nytimes.com/2026/09/21/scien…

Adoption checks the boxes. Alignment connects the system. A curriculum, trained teachers, and common assessments only create impact when they work together coherently. Is your system truly aligned—or simply adopted? 👉 Let’s talk about turning insight into action.

Proud to be presenting at the Mental Health for Schools Symposium 2026 this May. At a time when the demands on students and educators continue to grow, conversations around mental health aren’t optional—they’re essential. 📍 Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, NJ
📅 May 19, 2026 This symposium brings together educators committed to rethinking how we support well-being in our schools. I’m looking forward to sharing ideas, learning from others, and pushing this work forward together. If this is an area you care about, I hope you’ll consider attending.

You don’t need a new vision. You need a system that makes the vision unavoidable. Remember, every system is perfectly designed to get the results it gets. Call me for assistance if you are interested in redesigning your system.

District leaders know what they want for students. The challenge is building systems that actually deliver on that vision. This February, I’ll be delivering the closing keynote at the District Leaders Meetup: New Jersey, titled #GetToHow: Turning Curriculum Vision Into Action. I’ll share concrete ways districts can align curriculum, assessment, and instruction around a shared vision. This event is hosted by Toddle and offers timely, high-impact PD for educators leading change. Learn more here: toddleapp.com/events/distric…

Looking forward to connecting with colleagues down in TechSpo!

📣 Now Open: Superintendent Position – Wanaque School District I’m excited to be leading the search for the next Superintendent of the Wanaque School District and want to personally invite exceptional leaders to consider this opportunity—or share it with someone in your network. This is a district with deep community pride, committed educators, and real momentum for growth. It’s an opportunity for a leader to step into meaningful work and help shape the future in powerful ways. 🔗 View the full posting and apply here: 👉 jobs.leadline.io/jobs/92544 I’m always happy to talk with prospective candidates—please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions. And thank you in advance for sharing this opportunity.

A Beautiful Morning of Gratitude One of the true gifts of working in different districts is discovering the traditions that define each community. In Wanaque, the Teachers’ Association has been honoring our veterans with a Veterans Day celebration for more than 20 years, a tradition rooted in respect, gratitude, and genuine care. On Saturday, I had the privilege of experiencing it for the first time. From the moment I walked into the gym, I could feel the history and heart behind this event. Teachers, administrators, aides, and our kitchen staff all volunteered their time, creating a warm and welcoming space filled with generations of families. And when our 2nd- and 3rd-graders began to sing, the entire room shifted; you could see pride, emotion, and connection on the faces of veterans and families alike. As the son of a veteran, this morning hit me differently. It reminded me of the quiet sacrifices so many families make, the stories that often go untold, and the profound impact that simple acts of gratitude can have. This wasn’t just a breakfast; it was a moment that honored service while strengthening the ties that make a community feel like home. I’m grateful to be part of a district where traditions like this are not only preserved, but cherished. #VeteransDay #Gratitude #Community #Education #Leadership #Wanaque

Ray is one of the best!

Congratulations to Two Outstanding Leaders in Education! I’d like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Dr. John R. Giacchi, Chief Education Officer for the Franklin Borough School District, and Dr. Raymond A. González, Chief Education Officer for the Westfield Public School District, for being named the 2026 NJASA Regional Superintendents of the Year by the New Jersey Association of School Administrators. These awards recognize two exceptional leaders who exemplify what it means to serve with vision, integrity, and dedication to students and communities across New Jersey. A special shoutout to Dr. Ray González—a friend and colleague whose leadership, character, and steady hand continue to inspire so many of us in the field. Ray, this recognition is so well-deserved and a reflection of the positive impact you’ve had on your district and beyond. Congratulations again to both leaders and to NJASA for celebrating excellence in educational leadership. #Leadership #Education #NJASA #Superintendent #PublicEducation

Smarter Feedback, Stronger Leadership Two weeks ago, @Jessicanathan and I had the privilege of presenting at NJPSA/FEA/NJASCD’s LEAD with Joy Conference on “Smarter Feedback: Leveraging Generative AI to Support Teachers.” For superintendents and district leaders, feedback isn’t just about evaluation — it’s about developing people, building trust, and aligning growth to district priorities. AI tools like NotebookLM can help leaders turn observation notes into clear, actionable insights — saving time and elevating instructional conversations. If your district is ready to strengthen feedback systems and explore how AI can enhance leadership, let’s connect: [email protected] #RethinkLearning #AIinEducation #SchoolLeadership #FeedbackCulture #NJPSA #FEA #NJASCD #EducationInnovation @NJPSA

From Students to School Leaders — What a Proud Moment at NJPSA! At this year’s NJPSA Conference, I had the privilege of running into 10 graduate leadership program students—each now serving as a leader in their own school or district. Moments like these remind me that leadership isn’t just about positions or titles—it’s about developing others, nurturing their growth, and watching them make an impact on students, staff, and communities. Seeing these incredible educators leading with confidence, compassion, and clarity reaffirmed why I love this work. The ripple effect of strong leadership is real—and it starts with people who care deeply about their “why.” Feeling proud, inspired, and grateful to witness the next generation of leaders shaping the future of education. #NJPSA #EducationalLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #FutureReadyLeaders #ProudEducator

I’m excited to share that I’ll be presenting at the Mental Health for Schools Summit (MHS 2025) on November 10–11 in Somerset, NJ. The summit theme, “Resilient by Design,” highlights the urgent need for strategies that enhance emotional well-being for educators, students, and school communities alike. I’ll be joining an inspiring lineup of keynote and breakout speakers who are advancing research, practice, and leadership in school mental health. Eduscape I look forward to sharing my work and connecting with fellow educators, mental health professionals, and education leaders who are committed to building emotionally safe and resilient schools. Let me know if you’ll be there — I’d love to connect in person!

oin Me for a Book Club on Tony Wagner’s New Book — Mastery: The Deeper Learning Is Essential in an Age of Distraction Back in 2008, Tony Wagner’s The Global Achievement Gap was a game-changer for me. It challenged how I thought about education — what we value, how we measure success, and how we prepare students for a rapidly changing world. Now, Wagner’s latest book, Mastery, takes that conversation even deeper. He explores what it truly means to learn, to grow, and to achieve mastery — not through grades or test scores, but through purpose, curiosity, and the ability to apply knowledge in meaningful ways. I’m starting a book club (free) to dive into these ideas with fellow educators, leaders, and lifelong learners who believe education should be about more than compliance — it should be about connection, creativity, and contribution. If The Global Achievement Gap spoke to you — or if you’re ready to reimagine the purpose of education in today’s world — I’d love for you to join me. Grab a copy, start reading, and drop a comment. Dates: Dec. 2 - 1 PM EST or 7 PM Sign up here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F…