Timothy Purnell

Biography

A former alumnus of Montclair, Dr. Timothy J. Purnell has been teaching at Montclair State University since 2002. In addition to his service at the University, Dr. Purnell leads the New Jersey School Boards Association.

A former victim of bullying, Tim has dedicated his life to making the world a better place. He holds a doctorate in leadership from Seton Hall University, where he was named a 2019 Many Are One award recipient for service leadership. In addition to anonymous data, Tim is also an internationally-recognized speaker and professor on topics such as ethics, leadership, trauma and mental health.

As superintendent of the Somerville public school district in New Jersey, Tim oversaw all educational services, personnel management, and stakeholder communications for district schools. He implemented the first, district-wide, trauma-sensitive initiatives in the state of New Jersey and was one of 100 educators invited to President Obama’s 2014 ConnectED Initiative. In 2016, he was named National Superintendent of the Year and was recognized as a Highest Rated Professor in the Nation.

You can follow Dr. Purnell on X @drpurnell, view course media on his YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/DrPurnellMedia or email him at purnellt@montclair.edu.

Degrees:
B.A., 1998, University of Delaware
M.A., 2002, Montclair State University
Ed.D., 2008, Seton Hall University

Research

Dr. Purnell specializes in mental health, ethics, critical leadership, strategic planning, board governance, crisis management, executive searches, and building a movement (#getoffyourisland).

Leadership TEDx
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erslU7-FLlc
Montessori TEDx
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgg9dpXZwIU