SOUTH BRUNSWICK – The newest administrator for the South Brunswick School District is taking a history of leadership and coaching experience to a new level.
David E. Pawlowski was hired as the business administrator on Aug. 8, though his exact start date depends on when he can transition from the dual role he held in the Alexandria Township and Holland Township school districts.
“South Brunswick has a long tradition of visionary leadership that embraces student achievement and staff development. The past 11 years of my career were in a small district. I’m looking forward to getting back into a larger district to collaborate with others with regard to program development. I have a variety of experiences that span many areas of school and district level leadership that emphasizes the same educational goals of creating critical thinkers and lifelong learners,” Pawlowski said.
Pawlowski has more than 20 years of experience in the education field. He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration/finance from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas; his teacher certification in Grades 5-12 business education and computer studies from Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas; and his master’s degree in educational leadership from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Pawlowski said he moved from his Lumberton home to Kansas to study business on an athletic scholarship for football.
“The athletic field is an extension of the classroom in regard to life lessons, helping someone through difficult times and teamwork,” he said.
Inspired by his father, who was an educator, he decided to pursue a teaching career because he wanted to coach. He eventually pursued the leadership role of a principalship, because he likened leading a team to leading teachers to a common goal.
He served as a principal for grades 4-8 in Alexandria Township from 2006-14 and a vice principal for grades 6-8 for the Millburn Township School District from 2004-06.
“It was another opportunity to lead a group of people who wanted to improve their jobs and improve the integrity of the district,” he said. “The best leaders know how to coach others while helping the organization along the way.”
For the Plumsted Township School District, Pawlowski worked in the Central Office as the supervisor of instruction for curriculum and the district assessment coordinator from 2002-04.
Prior, he was the director of educational technology and a teacher of Advanced Placement computer programming at the Kent Place School in Summit from 1998-2002.
From 1995-98, he was a business education teacher, vocational education coordinator and computer coordinator at Meade High School in Meade, Kansas.
After years of being in the teaching realm, he said he circled back to business when Alexandria Township needed someone to fill a position. He now is looking forward to “the wonderful opportunity South Brunswick has put in front of me.”
“I’m looking forward to working alongside a talented staff in the Business Office and a dedicated group of teachers and administrators across the district. As a previous coach I miss the opportunities to attend the plethora of events and the sense of pride that success in these programs bring to a school system. I know already from my visits to the district that there is pride in the way things are accomplished. Mostly, I’m impressed with a Board of Education that emphasizes the many successes of students, teachers and staff consistently during board meetings,” Pawlowski said.
He said that Superintendent Scott Feder and his administration are “on the same page” with the “same beliefs about leadership, education, instruction and how the business office can truly assist in the development of real 21st century education.”
Thaddeus Thompson announced his resignation in May one year after replacing longtime business administrator Anthony Tonzini.
Contact Jennifer Amato at [email protected].