Dr. Kate Diskin has led transformative educational initiatives in Millburn, prioritizing academic excellence, inclusivity, and community engagement, all anchored in a growth mindset. Her extensive administrative experience at every level and deep understanding of leading a community with high expectations make her an excellent candidate to lead the Millburn Township Public Schools into the future. Dr. Diskin is dedicated to creating a supportive environment that positively impacts the lives of Millburn students, inspiring and motivating them to achieve academic excellence. She is a highly effective leader with comprehensive institutional knowledge and firsthand insights into the needs of students, staff, and the community. Understanding the importance of longevity and stability in leadership, Dr. Diskin is fully committed to serving Millburn for the long term and has demonstrated strong and enduring dedication to the district throughout her tenure.
Dr. Diskin holds a bachelor’s degree from Susquehanna University with a concentration in Education and a minor in Spanish. She has a master’s degree in educational administration from Kean University and is a certified teacher in K-8 and ESL and a supervisor, principal, and school administrator. Dr. Diskin earned her doctorate in Educational Administration at the University of Saint Elizabeth in 2022. She was celebrated for her exceptional achievements during her doctoral studies at Saint Elizabeth University and was inducted into the prestigious Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society.
Dr. Diskin is married to Joe Diskin, her husband of 25 years, and she is the mother of two sons, Ryan, a senior at Auburn University, and Matthew, a senior at Governor Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights.
In response to her appointment, Dr. Diskin said, “Thank you to the Board of Education for this honor. I look forward to partnering with you, our staff, our families, and our students to make Millburn Township Schools the best they can be. Together, we will make a difference—one that is impactful and lasting. I look forward to leading Millburn Township Schools in partnership with each of you toward a future filled with growth, achievement, and unity.”
Board of Education President Viswa Reddy stated, “The community is looking for a change agent. Change agents are open to change and model the behavior they expect from others. They have the knowledge and experience of the organization being impacted by the change. They identify issues and find solutions. They are able to clearly convey their message and address concerns. Over the last 5-6 months, Dr. Diskin has shown that she is that change leader the community has been seeking. I look forward to a bright future for the school district with Dr. Diskin at the helm.”
A colleague of Dr. Diskin commented, “Dr. Diskin proactively anticipates potential outcomes of decisions and prepares for challenging conversations that come naturally with change. Furthermore, she provides insight into how to best navigate potential pitfalls and takes time to debrief interactions to ensure that the team she supervises has a chance to grow and become a part of the process.”
All present board members, school district administrative staff representatives, and other community members congratulated Dr Diskin and expressed their willingness to work together with her.
The Millburn Administrators Association (MAA) said, “We are here tonight to express support for our students and teachers. We are committed to moving forward and working productively alongside the newly appointed Superintendent and the Board of Education for the continued success of the district.”
Ms Jennifer Sowa, Director of Special Services, congratulated Dr Diskin and said, “I know that you are a student-centered administrator. My role in Millburn is to support some of our students who have difficulties and maybe do not follow the traditional path, so I look forward to working with you to support our teachers who work with those students.
The Board of Education invites the community to join them in welcoming Dr. Diskin as our new Superintendent. They will host a meet-and-greet at the Ed Center on November 11th at 6:30 p.m. before the official Board Meeting at 7:00 p.m. for members of the public to celebrate the new appointment.
Superintendent Search Process
The search began over five months ago and was supported by the Superintendent Search firm Hazard, Young, and Attea Associates (HYA), a nationally renowned search firm focused on recruiting executive-level educational leaders. The board’s superintendent search committee comprised Viswa Reddy, Asaf Farashuddin, Kris Heinrichs, and Priya Shivani. HYA ran a robust process that adhered to the NJ statute, starting with focus group sessions and an online community survey. HYA conducted 23 focus group sessions, including four general community sessions, seven general staff sessions, and individual interviews. In addition, HYA received over 683 submissions to the online survey. These results were used to develop a Leadership Profile Report and Desired Characteristics for a new Superintendent posted on the district website. According to the surveys, the community wanted a leader who has demonstrated exemplary successful educational leadership experience in a community and school district with similar demographics expectations and needs to be a change agent with a proven track record as an innovative leader to address changing district dynamics and challenges.
Based on this profile, HYA advertised the job on August 9, and the board vetted 45 candidates from 11 different states nationwide. Candidates participated in a rigorous vetting, screening, and interview process to determine the best fit and type of leadership for the district, continuing to excel and reach the next level of excellence for all Millburn students. The board conducted two rounds of interviews with candidates over two weekends in September before making the decision to offer the position to Dr. Diskin.
The contract is contingent on the review and approval of the Essex County Executive Superintendent. Once the executive County Superintendent has approved it, the Board will take action at a public meeting to approve Dr. Diskin’s contract.