After an extensive search process with three rounds of interviews with the Board, community input, and a robust and very successful reference check, the Glen Rock Board of Education is pleased to welcome Dr. Nicholas DeStefano as its next Superintendent of Schools.
The Board will vote on a resolution to appoint Dr. DeStefano at its next regular public meeting on Monday, October 26. He will begin working in the District on December 27, 2026.
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. Dr. DeStefano is an accomplished educational leader with 21 years of experience in public education, spanning classroom instruction, school administration, and district-level leadership. His experience across a wide range of instructional and administrative roles has provided him with a comprehensive understanding of public education.
Prior to joining GRPS as Superintendent of Schools, Dr. DeStefano served as Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for the East Orange School District, where he provided leadership for curriculum, instruction, professional learning, and strategic initiatives across 20 schools serving approximately 9,000 students. His responsibilities included supervising principals and district administrators, overseeing major educational initiatives, and supporting the strategic allocation of resources within a $271 million district operating budget.
During his tenure in East Orange, Dr. DeStefano and his team secured more than $6 million in competitive grant funding, supported the implementation of a K-5 literacy initiative, and expanded access to Advanced Placement coursework. They also advanced innovative opportunities, including the opening of a specialized gifted and talented school, expanded SAT access, and introduced universal screening for giftedness.
Among the district's most notable results, the number of students earning the New Jersey State Seal of Biliteracy more than doubled. The seal recognizes students who demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one other language, a credential that can support college and career opportunities. During his interviews with the Board, Dr. DeStefano identified increasing the number of students testing for the Seal of Biliteracy as an opportunity to expand pathways for Glen Rock students, a vision the Board found compelling.
Before joining East Orange, Dr. DeStefano spent eight years in the Weehawken Township School District, most recently serving as Director of Academic Programs and Student Achievement. In that role, he oversaw districtwide curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional development. His leadership contributed to measurable improvements in student achievement, expanded advanced coursework opportunities, and strengthened instructional practices across grade levels. Previously, he served as principal of two district schools spanning pre-kindergarten through grade six, and as assistant principal and athletic director of the district’s middle-high school, serving grades 7–12.
Dr. DeStefano spent a decade teaching 8th grade social studies, a role he particularly cherished because of the importance of the middle school years in students’ academic, social, and personal development. He believes that understanding history helps young people make sense of the world around them and their place within it. Beyond the classroom, he 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.
An advocate for collaborative leadership, Dr. DeStefano believes strong schools are built upon trust, meaningful relationships, and shared responsibility. 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.
Reflecting on his appointment, Dr. DeStefano said, “I am deeply honored by the opportunity to serve as Superintendent of Glen Rock Public Schools. 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 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 the proud parents of two school-aged children.