Mendham Principal Wins 2023 School Leader Award

MENDHAM, NJ — A Mendham Borough school principal has been awarded the 2023 School Leader Award from the New Jersey School Boards Association, the district announced.

According to Mitzi N. Morillo, the Superintendent of Schools of the Mendham Borough School District, Aimee Toth, principal of Mountain View Middle School, was recognized by the Morris County New Jersey School Boards Association on Dec. 7.

Toth received the NJ School Boards Association School Leader Award recognizing her program, “Making the Grade: Painting a Comprehensive Picture and Elevating Conversations About Student Academic Achievement.”

According to the New Jersey School Boards Association, Mountain View has designed a report card to communicate with parents/guardians and students about their academic success in various curriculum areas.

The report card also identifies noncognitive characteristics that may influence academic development. The addition of noncognitive characteristics is designed to reflect an individual student's work habits, which can affect their learning experience in each session.

"This project was many years in the making. The goal was to provide a more comprehensive picture of student achievement, focusing on work habits such as learner initiative and preparedness, and providing parents with periodic feedback in these areas," Toth said. "While Dr. Guskey provided the inspiration, the outcomes were 'homegrown' and were the result of collaboration between the administration and staff. I am proud of this program and appreciate the recognition."

The School Leader Award recognizes innovative and outstanding initiatives and practices in New Jersey schools each year. They seek novel educational programs that address student learning and achievement.

Entries are evaluated based on their level of originality, how well they serve the specific needs of the kids, their relevance to the New Jersey student learning standards, and their results. To be eligible for this honor, programs must have been in existence for at least two full school years.

Toth was one of five districts to receive the 37th Annual School Leader Award on behalf of the Mendham Borough School District.

According to the district, Toth was nominated by Morillo.

To find more information about this award and past winners, click here.