Ocean City Superintendent Set For National Forum This Week

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Taylor is set to attend the 2018 State Superintendent of the Year Forum in Washington, D.C., this week, the school district announced. She was named the New Jersey Superintendent of the Year for 2018.

The forum, hosted by AASA, The School Superintendents Association, takes place from Nov. 14-16. It honors “excellence in district leadership and hold discussions covering the most critical issues in public education.”

Now in its 32nd year, the National Superintendent of the Year program celebrates the contributions and leadership of public school superintendents. The criterion for the annual award includes leadership in learning, communication, professionalism and community involvement.
This year’s other National Superintendent of the Year finalists were:

• Wendy Robinson, Fort Wayne Community Schools, Ft. Wayne, Ind.
• Mary Sieu, ABC Unified School District, Cerritos, Calif.
• Mike Winstead, Maryville City Schools, Maryville, Tenn.

“I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to attend and participate in the 2018 State Superintendent of the Year Forum as the 2018 Superintendent of the Year for the State of New Jersey,” Taylor said. “I am proud and honored to represent the Ocean City School District and the hard work and dedication of our entire school community.”

The theme for this year’s forum is “Leaders Matter,” a campaign launched by AASA to show the exemplary work done by its members, according to AASA Executive Director Daniel A. Domenech. Topics of discussion throughout the forum will include innovative leadership, career and college readiness, and key federal policies impacting schools and equity in education.

“This event routinely gathers some of the sharpest minds in public education and provides school system leaders with a platform to share successful models of teaching and learning to help students become productive members of society,” Domenech said. “The educators joining us are champions for children and stalwarts of their profession.”

The forum, which will kick off with a gala at the Mayflower Renaissance Hotel, is co-sponsored by AASA, VALIC and First Student, INC. David R. Schuler, the 2018 National Superintendent of the Year and superintendent of Township High School District 214 in Arlington Heights, Ill.,

“All of us at VALIC wish a hearty congratulations to the honored superintendents who make such a positive impact on their communities and students each and every day,” said Rob Scheinerman, president of Group Retirement at AIG. “For over 50 years, VALIC has served educators planning for their retirement, and we are proud to support the AASA State Superintendent of the Year Forum in honoring the fine men and women being celebrated tonight.”

“On behalf of the five million passengers we transport to and from school every day, we congratulate the men and women who will be joining us in Washington, D.C., as part of AASA’s State Superintendent of the Year Forum,” said Dennis R. Maple, president, First Student. “First Student is proud to be part of a program that showcases the country’s finest, regarding school district leadership. The individuals being honored are providing successful models of instruction and promising futures for the students they’re serving.”

The finalists for this year's National Superintendent of the Year award will be announced next month.

The attached image of Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Taylor was provided by the Ocean City Public School District.