NJ's Superintendent of the Year is from a North Jersey school

Nicholas Bernice, the superintendent of schools in Ringwood, could be named the nation's best.

This month, officials at the New Jersey Association of School Administrators selected Bernice as New Jersey's 2024 Superintendent of the Year. Appointed the Ringwood school district's chief executive in 2016, Bernice is now in the running for the National Superintendent of the Year Award from AASA, the American Association of School Administrators.

Richard Bozza, the New Jersey association's executive director, said Bernice "exemplifies the best a chief education officer can be."

"He is a dedicated, hardworking professional who continually strives to improve the quality of education for all students," Bozza said.

Bernice, who started his career in education in 1999 as a high school science teacher, beat out two other superintendents for the New Jersey title. Scott Rubin, the Cranford superintendent, and Beth Norcia, the superintendent in Maple Shade, were also considered for the state award, association officials said.

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Association officials said Bernice proved his worth in recent years through his guidance amid state aid cuts, his town hall-style virtual community forums and his ability to provide professional development and curricular advancement. Recognizing a need to improve language skills, Bernice in 2022-23 created a phonics committee to help revamp instruction in grades K-3 and improve literacy skills test scores.

A part-time flight instructor who holds a variety of teaching and other professional certifications in New Jersey, Bernice graduated from Fordham University before furthering his education elsewhere. He holds master's degrees in reading education from St. Peter’s University and educational technology from Ramapo College. He also has a doctorate in education administration and supervision from St. John’s University.

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Outside of North Jersey, Bernice serves as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. In 2022, he was placed in charge of an educational program for Afghan child evacuees at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in Burlington County. He is currently the Reserve command master chief for Sector Southeastern New England.

Bernice will find out in February 2024 if he won AASA's National Superintendent of the Year Award. The winner is due to be announced during the group's upcoming National Conference on Education in San Diego.

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For now, Bernice said, he shares the state award with "everyone who woke up today and choose to either come to school to learn, or go to work in support of learning, both ensuring a successful tomorrow.”

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ's Superintendent of the Year is from a North Jersey school