Dr. Daniel J. Dooley, superintendent of the Absecon school district.
ABSECON – The Absecon school district announced Monday that Superintendent Daniel J. Dooley has been named the Atlantic County Association of School Administrators’ Superintendent of the Year.
“I am truly honored to be recognized as Superintendent of the Year by the ACASA, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to represent the collective knowledge, devotion and passion of my peers,” Dr. Dooley said. “After experiencing a life-threatening health scare earlier this year at the same time as my wife was giving birth to our first child, I am so thankful for the continued
support, assistance and commitment from every person at Absecon Public Schools, from the Absecon Board of Education, to my administrative team, to our dedicated teaching and support staff, and beyond. Without them, this honor would not be possible.”
Dooley said he is committed to creating an educational environment where all children can learn and thrive.
The ACASA announced Dooley’s selection at a meeting Thursday, June 8 at Sweetwater Riverdeck in Mullica Township. Dooley is the first superintendent from Absecon to receive the honor.
ACASA President Robin Chieco, superintendent of Hammonton school district, said Dooley was selected because he has demonstrated leadership for learning, communication, professionalism and community involvement.
“The organization also recognized Dr. Dooley’s commitment and efforts in our continued work towards increasing programs of equity and equality and professional development opportunities as the county representative for the Leadership Diversity state committee,” Chieco said in a release. “We look forward to his continued leadership within our organization.”
Provided/Absecon Superintedent Dooley and staff.
Dooley has been superintendent in Absecon since July 2018, and has been a K-12 administrator for the last 15 years.
At Absecon, Dooley continues his work regarding school climate and culture, and is devoted to providing the best educational opportunities for all students as evident in the district’s efforts in English language arts, mathematics, STEAM, erpforming arts, additional electives, and after school programming.
He is the Atlantic County liaison for the New Jersey Association of School Administrators’ NJ Consortium for Excellence Through Equity – a collaboration between the NJASA and University of Pennsylvania. Dooley said he is proud to have led the effort to have all 40 public school districts in Atlantic County join the NJCEE, becoming the second county in New Jersey to do so.
Striving to improve educational outcomes and a positive school climate, Dooley has long been passionate about the use of therapy dogs in education. When he came to Absecon, he instituted a therapy dog program with his dogs, Skye and Hope, which are certified as therapy animals through Pet Partners. Since then, Dooley has worked with other districts, such as Hammonton and Egg Harbor Township, to implement their own therapy dog programs, and has given several presentations to mentor other educational leaders on the benefits of therapy dogs.
Dooley received his doctorate in educational leadership and policy from Seton Hall University, master’s degree in educational leadership from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and bachelor’s degree in English/education from LaSalle University.
In addition to his role in Absecon, Dooley oversees the NYS-required professional development course for The Dignity for All Students Act at College of Staten Island, the City University of New York, and is chairperson for the Association of Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals.
Dooley currently serves as the treasurer of the Atlantic County Association of School Administrators and next year will serve as vice president.
