Office of the Superintendent

Dear Tenafly Students, Staff and Community:

Please allow me a moment to share with you how excited I am about being a part of one of New Jersey’s premier districts. Tenafly is a special place, born of long-standing traditions, high expectations and pride.

In terms of who I am, my approach, and where I come from, let me briefly say that I grew up in North Jersey, attended Rutgers College and Seton Hall Law School, and currently reside in Bergen County with my wife and two children.

Educationally, I spent ten years as a high school teacher/coach.  My administrative experiences have included stops as a building administrator at both the elementary and middle school levels, and central office positions of secondary director and assistant superintendent. Before joining the Tenafly Public School District in 2023, I spent eight years as the Superintendent of the West Morris Regional High School District. You may also have read that education was not my first career. Prior to entering the classroom, I worked briefly as an attorney/clerk in the United States Federal Courts and later as a litigation associate in a law firm in Morristown.

My philosophy of education is rather simple—education is about fostering student growth and achievement.  Outstanding educators /districts help students identify who they are, what they believe in and, perhaps, where they want to go. They accomplish this mission by engaging students as both individuals and learners, and by ensuring that schools are safe, challenging and fun.

Below, I’ve attached some videos/clips that I find interesting, and which, together with many books, travels, family, movies and people, continue to help shape my vision of educational leadership.  

Video Links:

• Apple: Here's to the Crazy Ones
• Dead Poet Society: "We don't read and write poetry"
• Geoffrey Canada: UPenn Commencement Speech
• TED: Derek Sivers: How to start a movement
• TED: Simon Sinek: The Golden Circle
• TED: Liz Coleman: A Call to Reinvent Liberal Arts Education
• TED: Dan Gilbert: The Surprising Science of Happiness