Morristown, N.J. (February 28, 2020) – Kurt Ceresnak has successfully defended his dissertation at the Saint Elizabeth University to earn an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership.

With more than a decade of service to New Jersey public schools as a teacher, coach and school administrator, Ceresnak is passionate about education. He currently is the principal at Netcong Elementary School in Netcong, N.J., and has previously taught at the middle and high school levels. Ceresnak also has served as an athletic and academic facilitator, assistant principal, principal, superintendent intern and grant coordinator.

His dissertation titled "Perceptions and Experiences of New Jersey School Principals When Implementing and Leading Educational Change Within a School" examines the ever-changing field of education in the state's public schools and how school principals are essential in determining factors that influence change within schools.

Ceresnak surveyed and interviewed school principals in order to determine what strategies would be most successful in achieving support from the staff and implementing change within the schools. This included an examination of the principals' perceptions of methods and techniques that influence teachers' instruction to students. Ceresnak found that when implementing change, principals must have stakeholder involvement and input, as well as earn trust and develop relationships. Among his findings, Ceresnak cited providing teachers with on-going support, specifically professional development, as key factors.