Cherry Hill's Meloche Named Top Superintendent In New Jersey

CHERRY HILL, NJ — Cherry Hill Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Meloche has been named the top superintendent in the state by the New Jersey Association of School Administrators (NJASA).

Meloche was named New Jersey's 2021 Superintendent of the Year, and is now in contention for the American Association of School Administrators' (AASA) National Superintendent of the Year award.

Each state winner will be honored and a national winner will be announced at the AASA’s virtual conference on Feb. 21, 2021, the organization announced. This prestigious program, now in its 34th year, is sponsored by First Student, AIG Retirement Services and AASA.

"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,” Meloche said. “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.”

"Joe is a dedicated hard-working professional who continually strives to improve the quality of education for all students,” NJASA Executive Director Dr. Richard G. Bozza said. “He exemplifies the best a chief education officer can be."

In September, NJASA selected Meloche as the Region III Superintendent of the Year for New Jersey, according to the NJASA website.

The other honorees included:

• Region I winner — Tracey Marinelli, Chief Education Officer, Little Falls Township; and
• Region II winner — Joseph Isola, Chief Education Officer, Howell Township.

All three winners were then introduced to New Jersey residents and the educational community on Oct. 28 via the NJASA YouTube site.

Under Meloche’s leadership, the Cherry Hill Public School District harnessed the voices and perspectives of a vast cross-section of the community to develop a new mission statement, create and launch a full-day kindergarten program, and develop multi-year strategic goals.

Equity and student voice are the foundations of his ongoing work in Cherry Hill, according to the district. 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.

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, the district said.

He said the district’s 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.

He was appointed as the district’s superintendent in August 2015 after more than 20 years in public education including 12 in a variety of administrative roles in Cherry Hill, according to the district.

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.

He is the first district alumnus to serve as superintendent. 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.

Meloche is the Camden County Representative to the NJASA Executive Committee. He also 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 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.

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.