In announcing the selection of Karen Bingert to the position of Executive Director of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association effective July 1, Pat Wright wrote the following letter to all NJPSA members:
Dear NJPSA Members,
On this anniversary week marking one year since the beginning of remote and hybrid learning, I remain so incredibly proud of the resilience, professionalism, and leadership you have demonstrated throughout this difficult year. While so many things have changed, one constant is the tireless dedication of New Jersey’s educational leaders who continually rise to the challenge to meet the needs of our students and school communities. Well done!
The role of Executive Director has been the highlight of my career in education. For the last ten years, NJPSA/FEA has grown and prospered because of the collaborative efforts of a strong team of dedicated professionals who work for the organization. As you know, I had planned to retire from my position as Executive Director of NJPSA in June of 2020, a decision that was made well before the word COVID entered our vernacular. A search was under way for a new executive director, and I had hoped to continue in my role only until a successor had been named and a smooth transition could commence. However, when the pandemic hit New Jersey and schools were forced to close, I committed to extend my tenure to ensure that our members would have the information, guidance, services, and support they would need at such a critical time. The search resumed shortly after the calendar turned to 2021, and over the past two months, the search committee has spent countless hours reviewing applications, interviewing several outstanding candidates, and ultimately, making a recommendation to the Board who unanimously approved the selection.
I am delighted to announce that my colleague and former NJPSA Board President Karen Bingert will take over as our new Executive Director on July 1, 2021. I will work alongside Karen through August 31 to provide any assistance and guidance she may need. I have known and worked with Karen for many years, and I have absolute confidence that she will be an outstanding leader for this organization and a tremendous advocate for principals and supervisors throughout the state. Congratulations, Karen! The committee could not have made a better choice.
Karen Bingert is currently the principal of Hillsborough High School and has served in that role since 2006, having previously served as its vice principal since 1999. She has been an active member of NJPSA, having served as a Council member and on the Elementary/Middle/Secondary and Nominations Committees. She has served as a member of the Board of Directors since 2017, and as President of the Board in 2019-2020. In one of her most important roles, she co-chaired the NJPSA/NJASA Joint Committee on Educator Effectiveness and Graduation Requirements/Assessment. In addition, she has testified numerous times in Trenton before the Senate and Assembly Education Committees and has met with members of our Congressional Delegation on behalf of our members.
Karen will remain as principal of Hillsborough High School through the end of the school year and will then join NJPSA as our new leader. I look forward to working with her through the summer to ensure a smooth transition.
Please join me in congratulating Karen. As I prepare to move on to a new phase of my life, I do so with the knowledge that you are in exceptional hands and that NJPSA will continue to grow even stronger in the years to come.
Sincerely,
Patricia Wright
Executive Director, NJPSA