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920 West State Street • Trenton, New Jersey 08618-5328
609.599.2900 / Fax: 609.599.9359 website: http://www.njasa.net
Press Release
Contact Anne H. Gallagher
NJASA Director of Communications
609-599-2900, ext. 126
agallagher@njasa.net
NJASA Names Dr. Joseph Meloche
New Jersey 2021 Superintendent of the Year
- A Strong Record of Commitment to Equity and Student Voice-
Dr. Joseph Meloche is available to comment on Education-Related Issues.
Trenton, New Jersey…….November 16, 2020 Dr. Joseph Meloche, Chief Education Officer, Cherry Hill Public Schools, was selected as New Jersey's 2021 Superintendent of the Year by the New Jersey Association of School Administrators (NJASA) and is a candidate for the National Superintendent of the Year Award by the American Association of School Administrators' (AASA). He will be formally acknowledged by the New Jersey State Board of Education at their Annual Recognition Ceremony on December 2nd.
In September, NJASA selected Dr. Meloche as the Region III Superintendent of the Year for New Jersey. The other honorees included the Region I winner - Tracey Marinelli, Chief Education Officer, Little Falls Township; Region II winner - Joseph Isola, Chief Education Officer, Howell Township. The three Regional Superintendents of the Year were introduced to New Jersey residents and the educational community on Oct 28 via the NJASA YouTube site.
In order to pay tribute to the outstanding educational leaders from each state, AASA will honor each state representative and select a National Superintendent of the Year at their Virtual Annual Conference in February 2021. This prestigious program, now in its 34th year, is sponsored by First Student, AIG Retirement Services and AASA.
NJASA Executive Director Dr. Richard G. Bozza said, "Joe is a dedicated hard-working professional who continually strives to improve the quality of education for all students. He exemplifies the best a chief education officer can be."
In accepting this prestigious honor, Dr. Meloche said, "This recognition reaffirms my belief that the superintendent provides the critically essential leadership required to afford an academic environment of excellence throughout the district which embraces diversity while motivating and engaging all students to be successful as scholars and as people.”
He continued, “I thank NJASA, the Cherry Hill Board of Education and all district and community involved stakeholders for their support and I look forward to representing New Jersey’s chief education officers on the national level.”
Under Dr. Meloche’s leadership, significant strategic planning processes harnessed the voices and perspectives of a vast cross section of the community resulting in the development of a new mission statement, the creation and launching of full day kindergarten in the district, and the development of multi-year strategic goals.
The Cherry Hill District, a large suburban community with more than 70 languages spoken by families in town, engages with representative members of the community in a purposeful and planned manner. A Cultural Proficiency/Equity/Character Education Committee with a Communications Subcommittee interact frequently with the diverse community.
Dr. Meloche meets regularly with district staff members – certificated and non-certificated, in every job title. He ensures that all employees can effectively articulate the mission of the district and what it means to them and to the children, as everyone strengthens their relationship and commitment to the students of Cherry Hill.
He notes, the Cherry Hill School District staff members have a role that is critical to the overall functioning and success of the district. Each employee creates and maintains the opportunity for 11,000 students to learn in an environment that is nurturing, safe, and supportive.
As Superintendent, Dr. Meloche provides the critically essential leadership required to provide an academic environment of excellence throughout the district, which embraces diversity while motivating and engaging all students to be successful as scholars and as people. Equity and student voice are the foundations of his ongoing work in Cherry Hill. His collaborative work with the Cherry Hill African American Civic Association (CHAACA), the Cherry Hill Hispanic Civic Association (CHHiCA), the Zone PTA, and the Cherry Hill Special Education PTA (CHSEPTA) allow equity and voice to remain central to every discussion.
After more than 20 years in public education including 12 in a variety of administrative roles in Cherry Hill, the NJ 2021 Superintendent of the Year was appointed Superintendent of the Cherry Hill Public Schools in August 2015. He is the first district alumnus to serve as superintendent. He began his educational career as a Social Studies teacher in the Willingboro District and then as a teacher and administrator in the Maple Shade School District.
Dr. Meloche applied what he learned as a student in Cherry Hill to his own academic pursuits, earning his bachelor’s degree at DeSales University, earning master’s degrees from Holy Family University and Widener University as well as his doctorate in education from Widener University.
The 2021 New Jersey Superintendent of the Year is the Camden County Representative to the NJASA Executive Committee. Currently, he serves as President of the Camden County Superintendents Roundtable. He has also held the positions of Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer for the Roundtable.
A prolific writer and presenter, Dr Meloche is widely known among colleagues as a leader at the local, county, state, and national levels. A recipient of the New Jersey Association of School Librarians Outstanding Administrator for 2019, he was recognized by the New Jersey School Public Relations Association, as the 1st place award winner for social media; and selected as the New Jersey State Parent Teacher Association Superintendent of the Year in 2018.
Dr. Meloche was selected by Education Week as a 2018 “Leader to Learn From,” for Leadership in Elevating Student Voice, and was featured on the cover of a special edition of Education Week. Student voice and aspirations remain a central influence in his day to day work, as students are consulted, truly having a seat at the table.
Dr. Meloche is a resident of Cherry Hill, NJ.
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About NJASA:
The New Jersey Association of School Administrators is an organization of chief education officers and school administrators who lead school districts in New Jersey’s 21 counties. The Association’s mission is to ensure a superior statewide system of education. Through ongoing professional training and education, the Association shares knowledge among its members about best practices from both educational and administrative perspectives. Its goal is to move education forward by ensuring the highest quality of instruction for all New Jersey children. The Association is located at 920 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey 08618-5328. For more information -- PH: 609.599.2900 / Fax: 609.599.9359 / website: www.njasa.net.
Education Brief Videos
Due to the complexity of educational topics, NJASA has released a series of videos to help parents and taxpayers better understand the issues. Each video can be accessed on a special NJASA YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/TheNJASA or by clicking on the YouTube icon on the NJASA website, www.njasa.net.
