Episode 3: "The Vision" with Gerald Fitzhugh, II, E.D., Superintendent of Orange Public Schools in New Jersey
1h 2m | Jan 4, 2021Gerald Fitzhugh, II, Ed.D., Superintendent of Orange, N.J. discusses taking Orange Public Schools from Good to Great.
During Dr. Fitzhugh's tenure as an educator, he had the opportunity to teach and/or supervise on elementary, middle, and high school levels. Additionally, he has extensive leadership experience including, but not limited to, building level as well as Central Office K-12. My philosophy of fostering a distributive style of leadership and facilitating a culture of high expectations for student achievement has been the foundation of his success.
My expertise lies in overseeing areas such as staff development and training, curriculum development and implementation, financial and budget administration, community partnership building, and policy implementation to realize increased productivity and improved academic performance while containing costs. From conceptualizing and establishing forward-thinking development plans to collaborating with teachers and administrators to achieve consensus across multiple levels, I excel at directing strategic enhancements to drive goal achievement while communicating openly and collaboratively with teachers, staff, parents, and principals.
Dr. Fitzhugh attended Rutgers University beginning in 1996; completing his studies in 2000 with a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Psychology. In 2001, Dr. Fitzhugh went back to school to obtain a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. Completing his Master’s Degree in 2005 from New Jersey City University, obtaining a doctorate was always the next part of the plan. He completed my dissertation and defended it on February 4, 2019, from Seton Hall University. Dr. Fitzhugh study was as follows: A Comparison of Complex Thinking Required by the Elementary New Jersey Student Learning Standards and Past New Jersey Curriculum Standards 2019
https://scholarship.shu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3696&context=dissertations
Always wanting to provide students with a differentiated and engaging educational experience, Dr. Fitzhugh began his teaching career at Dr. William H. Horton Elementary School in September 2000 within the Newark Public Schools. After five years in the classroom, he became Vice-Principal at Dr. William H. Horton Elementary School; the same school where he served as a substitute teacher and classroom teacher. In 2009, under the leadership of South Region Regional Superintendent Dr. Dale A. Talbert, Dr. Fitzhugh became the Instructional Special Assistant K-12. From 2010-2012, Dr. Fitzhugh served as the Principal of Chancellor Avenue/Annex Elementary School in the South Region. From 2012-2016, he served as Principal of Thomas G. Connors Elementary School within the Hoboken Public School District. In 2016-2018, he served as the Assistant Superintendent of School K-12 within the Hoboken Public School District. In June 2018, Mr. Leon, current Superintendent of the Newark Board of Education recommended Dr. Fitzhugh for the position of Deputy Superintendent of Schools. He was the Deputy Superintendent in the Newark Board of Education until June 30, 2018, at which point, he assumed my current position as the Superintendent of Schools in Orange Township. The greatest pleasure of his world is being married to Arlenia Fitzhugh for the last 12 years and being a father to the world’s great two children, Alyssa Ann, and Evan Gerald. Dr. Fitzhugh's leadership and vision of being a father drives the concept that all children deserve a great education.
Gerald Fitzhugh, II, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Orange Township Public Schools of New Jersey
Administrative Building
451 Lincoln Avenue
Orange, New Jersey 07050
973-677-4040
ORANGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
https://www.orange.k12.nj.us/
https://twitter.com/Gerald_Fitzhugh
