Next Glen Rock Superintendent Of Schools Approved Unanimously: Get To Know Him

GLEN ROCK, NJ — The Glen Rock Board of Education voted last week to approve Dr. Nicholas DeStefano as their next superintendent of schools.

DeStefano is expected to begin work during Winter Break, on Dec. 27.

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The board's vote was 9-0, a district spokesperson said.

"The members of the Glen Rock Board of Education are unanimously impressed with Dr. DeStefano's record of outstanding leadership, experience, and commitment to educational excellence," read a statement from the board. "Dr. DeStefano is an accomplished educational leader with 21 years of experience in public education."

DeStefano said, "I am deeply honored by the opportunity to serve as Superintendent of Glen Rock Public Schools."

He noted, "Glen Rock is a community with a proud tradition of educational excellence, and I look forward to working alongside its dedicated educators, families, students, and Board of Education to build upon that foundation. My commitment is to listen, learn, and lead collaboratively, ensuring that we honor what makes Glen Rock special while continually seeking opportunities to make an exceptional school district even stronger."

Dr. DeStefano previously served as assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction for the East Orange School District, with 9,000 students.

Before joining East Orange, Dr. DeStefano spent eight years in the Weehawken Township School District, recently serving as Director of Academic Programs and Student Achievement.

DeStefano spent a decade teaching eighth grade social studies.

"He believes that understanding history helps young people make sense of the world around them and their place within it," the district said in a statement.

Football And Family

He had also served as head football coach at Bogota and Weehawken and as offensive coordinator at Tenafly and Fair Lawn.

Dr. DeStefano earned his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Saint Peter's University, a master's degree from Montclair State University, and a bachelor's degree from Franklin & Marshall College.

His doctoral research examined students' perceptions of school safety, reflecting his longstanding commitment to creating safe, supportive, and welcoming learning environments.

His leadership philosophy, "High expectations without high anxiety," emphasizes maintaining rigorous standards while fostering a positive, supportive environment in which students, educators, and families can thrive, the district said.

Dr. DeStefano and his wife Kimberly, a literacy coach in the Clifton School District, are both third-generation educators, reflecting a shared family commitment to public education. They are also the parents of two school-aged children.