Morris County Superintendent Of The Year Is Mendham Boro's Own

MENDHAM, NJ - Superintendent of the Mendham Borough School District Mitzi Morillo has been selected as the Morris County Superintendent of the Year by the Morris County Association of School Administrators (MCASA).

“The clearest choice for the recognition this year is Dr. Morillo. Her leadership has been exceptional in very trying times,” MCASA Executive Board member and Montville Township Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Rene Rovtar said.

This award is given to a superintendent who exhibits leadership for learning, communication, professionalism, and active participation and community involvement with an understanding of regional and national issues, officials said.

"Dr. Morillo has tirelessly worked to help us all feel a sense of order and calm in an unprecedented time. They say that courage is grace under pressure. Dr. Morillo has shown tremendous grace and tremendous strength for us all,” said Dr. Christina Van Woert, MCASA Past President and Superintendent of the Chester Public School District.

Morillo has over 30 years of experience in public schools in Texas, Florida and New Jersey. She did not follow the traditional path into education. After completing her bachelor of science in Biology, she married and moved to El Paso, Texas where her husband was to begin his first assignment upon graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Her passion for teaching was ignited when she began working at the El Paso Community College. Morillo went on to earn a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership at the College of New Jersey and an Ed.D. In Educational Leadership at Seton Hall University.

Morillo’s varied educational experiences include middle school science teacher, teacher of the gifted and talented, reading teacher, ESL teacher, bilingual teacher and classroom teacher in grades PK- 6. Morillo credits these experiences for building the foundation for her instructional leadership.

A leadership that values honesty, pursues equity and promotes resiliency, officials said.

After serving as principal for seven years in Hunterdon and Somerset County schools, Morillo became the superintendent of the Mendham Borough School District in 2013. Morillo has lead the district in the advancement of technology and innovative practices, creation of collaborative learning environments, and advocated for an instructional focus on social-emotional learning that have earned the district schools State and National recognition and can be observed upon entering each school. She takes a personal, active role in all district initiatives such as chairing the District Student Wellness Committee, securing a grant to promote staff wellness initiatives as well as leading the District Mentoring Committee while also serving as the Director of Personnel and School Safety Specialist.

“Students are always first for Dr. Morillo and she advocates for students in every decision or discussion. While we see examples of her passion, dedication, and leadership each and every day, it is great to see this recognition coming from her peers as well -- those who deeply understand the role of Superintendent and have benefited from her leadership as President of the Morris County Association of School Administrators. We are lucky to have such a committed and caring educator at the helm of our schools,” said Beth Cocuzza, President of the Board of Education.

Morillo is the President of the Morris County Association of School Administrators she also serves on the NJASA Executive Committee, NJASA Women in Leadership Committee and Special Education Committee she is a member of the Phi Delta Kappa Honor Society, served on the Executive Board of the New Jersey School Development Council and currently serves on the Executive Board of the New Jersey Superintendent Study Council.

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