Board Of Education Approves New Superintendent
Submitted by Mary Ann McGann
The Warren Township Board of Education at its Jan. 19 meeting approved Matthew Mingle as the new superintendent of Warren Township Schools. Mingle, currently Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for Madison Public Schools, will begin his new position on July 1.
“Having spent most of my career in Somerset County, I was well aware of the excellent reputation of the Warren Township schools. The opportunity to join a community that believes in the power of a strong public school system is very exciting,” says Mingle. “With so many great things already in place, I know there are high expectations for everyone involved and I can’t wait to be a part of that energy.”
Mingle began his career in education as a social studies teacher at Ridge High School in Bernards Township and later, in the Montgomery Township School District. In 2010, he became supervisor of social studies and the Reach program at Hillsborough Township Public Schools, a K-12 administrative position he held for three years.
The New Jersey native, who has lived in Somerset County for more than a decade, has a Bachelor of Arts in History Education, a Master of Science in Educational Administration and expects to receive his Ed.D in Teacher Leadership in May from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, where his research has focused on gifted education.
“We take great pride in appointing Matt Mingle to the position of Warren Township Superintendent,” says Board president Tia Allocco. “Our decision was guided by the Leadership Profile which was generated by feedback from administrators, staff, and community members. Matt is a highly motivated professional with particular expertise in communication, curriculum development and classroom instruction. ”
As Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction in Madison, Mingle developed a five-year curriculum renewal plan, implemented a new professional development model, oversaw the implementation of new teacher/administrator evaluation systems and supervised PARCC testing while creating a monthly newsletter called “A Walk in the PARCC” to communicate with staff and the community.
“I am proud of these efforts because they have opened an incredible dialogue not only in Madison but across the state,” he says. The New Jersey Department of Education shares his PARCC newsletter via Twitter each month.
“Matt is a proven leader who has successfully implemented continuous improvement initiatives in high achieving districts,” Allocco says. “The Board of Education has every confidence that working together with our staff and community, Matt will build on our many strengths and move us to new heights.”
Mingle believes strongly in “the whole child as a fundamental guidepost in my educational world.”
“Despite constant reform efforts, we know what works in public education,” he says. “The Whole Child approach provides a framework and a name for what all educators know in their hearts – ‘Each child, in each school, in each community is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged.’ When that aim is the reality, students thrive. As a guidepost, the Whole Child provides a lens through which we can examine challenging situations and make critical decisions with the best interests of the children we serve in mind.”
This means that “a narrow focus on academic achievement, especially when it is measured only by standardized test scores, is insufficient,” Mingle adds. “Instead, we must think about the long-term development of children and how our educational system is preparing them to be good citizens.”
Mingle holds leadership positions in several professional organizations, including as president-elect of the New Jersey chapter of ASCD, an international association devoted to professional development, educational leadership and innovative programs. He loves to travel, both as a chaperone for seven summers with the People to People Student Ambassador Program and on his own. And he’s an avid supporter of marching bands.
“The day I was offered my first teaching job in May 2003, I asked the principal of Ridge High School to introduce me to the marching band director. Since that day, I have not gone a year without being involved with marching bands in New Jersey. I find the arts in general and marching band more specifically, provide the structure and commitment requirements needed for many adolescents to grow and develop as leaders and good citizens,’ says Mingle. “My career has rapidly taken me from the classroom to higher levels of district administration; however, I still love being active on the marching band field every fall.”
Mingle succeeds Dr. Tami Crader, who resigned last July to accept a position as superintendent in the Neptune Township School District. In the interim, longtime administrator and educator Dr. Elizabeth Nastus has been serving as superintendent of Warren Township Schools.
(above) Warren Township Board of Education president Tia Allocco welcomes Matthew Mingle as the district’s new superintendent. Mingle will begin his new position on July 1.
