Timothy Purnell
| Timothy Purnell | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| 🏳️ Citizenship | American |
| 🏫 Education | Seton Hall University (Ed.D.)
Montclair State University (MA) University of Delaware (BA) |
| 💼 Occupation | Educational administrator, academic |
Timothy J. Purnell is an American educational administrator and academic. He currently serves as the Executive Director and CEO of the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) and is an assistant professor at Montclair State University.[1] Purnell previously served as the chief executive officer of the American Montessori Society, generally recognized as the largest Montessori membership organization in the world. In 2016, he was named the National Superintendent of the Year by the National Association of School Superintendents (NASS) and, in 2015, the Highest Rated Professor in the Nation on Ratemyprofessor.[2]
Early life and education
Purnell grew up in Montville Township, New Jersey, and attended Montville Township High School, of which he is a Hall of Fame inductee (2014).
He received a Bachelor of Arts in Biology with a minor in Genetics from the University of Delaware in 1997. He subsequently earned a Master of Arts in Administration and Supervision from Montclair State University in 2002. He completed a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in educational administration at Seton Hall University in 2008 through the College of Education and Human Services' Executive Ed.D. program in K–12 School Administration.
Career
Early Teaching Career
Purnell began his professional career as a middle school science teacher in Montclair, New Jersey, in 1998. He subsequently served as a middle school vice principal and a middle school principal. Purnell served as superintendent of Harding Township Schools in New Jersey from 2008 to 2011. This was his first position as a district-level chief education officer.[3]
Somerville Public Schools (2011–2017)
Purnell became superintendent of Somerville Public Schools in Somerset County, New Jersey, on 1 February 2011, overseeing a district with a budget of approximately $44 million. During his tenure, he managed educational services, personnel, and stakeholder communications across the district's schools.[4] He led the implementation of the first trauma-informed school district initiative in New Jersey. He was one of 100 educators selected to attend President Obama's ConnectED Initiative at the White House in 2014, a national program designed to connect students to digital learning resources.[5][6]
American Montessori Society (2017–2021)
Purnell served as executive director of the American Montessori Society, a national membership organization for Montessori education, after leaving the Somerville superintendency in 2017. He held this role before transitioning to interim public sector work.[7]
New Jersey Department of Education – Morris County (2021–2022)
From April 2021, Purnell served as interim executive county superintendent of Morris County for the New Jersey Department of Education, providing oversight and support between local school districts and the state education office in Trenton.[8]
New Jersey School Boards Association (2022–present)
Purnell was named Executive Director and CEO of the New Jersey School Boards Association in May 2022, succeeding Dr. Lawrence S. Feinsod. In October 2024, his contract was extended through June 2030.[9]
Montclair State University (2002–present)
Alongside his administrative career, Purnell has served as a professor at Montclair State University since 2002.
It’s Anonymous
Purnell is the co-founder and CEO of It's Anonymous, an AI-driven anonymous crowdsourcing platform designed to help organizations, businesses, and communities collect candid input from members or employees. The platform is intended to surface information that might not otherwise be disclosed through conventional feedback mechanisms.
Other roles and affiliations
Purnell has served or holds affiliations with several additional organizations and bodies. These include: the Educational Leadership Foundation of New Jersey (ELFNJ), where he has served as a trustee; the New Jersey State Board of Examiners, on which he served as legal chair during his Somerville superintendency; the Somerset County Association of School Administrators, of which he served as president; and the New Jersey Department of Education State Program Approval Council and Advisory Council for the Office of Governance and Leadership Development. He has also served as a Middle States Commission accreditation commissioner and a YPO/WPO member and Northeast regional area officer.
Awards and recognition
- Real Leaders I.M.P.A.C.T. Award for Transparency (2024)
- Many Are One Alumni Award, Seton Hall University (2019)
- Spirit of Somerset County Award (2017)
- NASS National Superintendent of the Year (2016)[4]
- ASCD Emerging Leader (2016)
- Highest Rated University Professor in the Nation (2015)
- New Jersey State Superintendent of the Year (2015)
- National District of Distinction Award (2014)
- Montville Township High School Hall of Fame Inductee (2014)
References
- ↑ Messenger-Gazette, The (2010-12-03). "Somerville Public School District to hold reception for new superintendent, Timothy Purnell". nj. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
- ↑ "Montclair State University Instructor Tops Rate My Professors Ranking". NBC New York. 2015-10-07. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
- ↑ Writer, MIKE CONDON Staff (2015-05-07). "Anemone leaving Harding schools". New Jersey Hills. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Hutchinson, Dave (2016-08-03). "N.J. school superintendent wins national award". nj. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
- ↑ "ConnectED". The White House. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
- ↑ Hutchinson, Dave (2016-12-16). "Somerville school superintendent leaving post to join Montessori society". nj. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
- ↑ "Former Harding superintendent lands top post at New Jersey School Boards Association". New Jersey Hills. 2022-05-20. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
- ↑ Messenger-Gazette, The (2010-11-02). "Somerville names new school district superintendent, Timothy Purnell of Madison". nj. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
- ↑ Roll, Erin (2020-01-28). "Timothy Purnell named as interim personnel director in schools". Montclair Local. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
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