Scott Rocco, Ed.D. is in his 28th year as a public school educator. His career includes being a middle and high school social studies teacher, middle school vice principal, elementary principal, assistant superintendent for personnel, and superintendent of schools. Dr. Rocco currently serves as the Superintendent of Hamilton Township School District in Hamilton, New Jersey. He is also an adjunct professor at The College of New Jersey in the Graduate School for Educational Administration and at Rider University’s College of Education and Human Services. He also serves as an instructor for New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association in the NJEXCEL program. Over the last five years, Dr. Rocco has held leadership positions in the New Jersey Association of School Administrators (NJASA) as an officer, including past president of the association. While a member of NJASA, he has also co-chaired the Spring Conference, Techspo Conference, and Membership Committee.
Dr. Rocco is active in many other educational organizations, including the New Jersey Council of Education, and gives back to his community, including being a member of the Mercer County Overdose Fatality Review Team and doctoral dissertation committees. For his dedication to education and to the community, Dr. Rocco has received the New Jersey PTA Outstanding Educator Award – Superintendent of the Year, the Mercer County Superintendent of the Year Award, and Mercer County Prosecutor’s Support of Law Enforcement Recognition Award. As a firm believer in constant learning and giving back to his profession, Dr. Rocco has provided keynote, conference, and group presentations on a variety of educational topics that include the use of social media for educators, school safety, marketing yourself, collaborating with different generations, and various leadership and educational topics. He is also the co-author of 140 Twitter Tips for Educators and Hacking Google, and co-creator of #satchat, a positive and engaging educational Twitter chat held every Saturday morning since 2012.
Past AASA New Jersey Superintendent of the Year Winners:
2021 New Jersey Superintendent of the Year: Joseph Meloche
2020 New Jersey Superintendent of the Year: Mackey Pendergrast
About the Superintendent of the Year:
As a sponsor of the superintendent of the Year program, First Student wants to recognize these leaders in a special way this year, because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the disruption that has affected all education systems but also the innovative approaches that the superintendents and school districts addressed through radio, television, zoom and take-home packages. These superintendents are the very best in public education and are needed more than ever during this crisis.
About the Award:
The superintendent of the Year program, sponsored by First Student and AASA, The School superintendents Association, pays tribute to the talent and vision of the men and women who lead the nation’s public schools.
State level winners are selected on the following criteria:
- Leadership for Learning
- Communication
- Professionalism
- Community Involvement