Erskine R. Glover, superintendent of Hillside Public Schools, has been appointed as the new superintendent for Piscataway Township Schools.

The Piscataway Board of Education appointed Glover at its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, Aug. 14, where he was welcomed by much of the Piscataway Leadership Team. Glover will begin in the position in early November.

Glover began his tenure as superintendent in Hillside in August 2021 and has over 30 years of experience in education, as a teacher, math coach, technology coordinator, school-based administrator, and assistant superintendent. He also served as State Director at the New Jersey Department of Education.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mr. Glover as the next leader for Piscataway Township Schools,” said Board of Education President Shantell Cherry. “His extensive background as an administrator and culturally responsive educator demonstrates a commitment to promoting an abundance of educational opportunities for students and staff here in Piscataway.”

Glover began his full-time teaching career in his hometown of Rochester, NY, and spent many years teaching and as a school-based administrator and assistant superintendent in Newark Public Schools.

“He was one of 36 applicants who sought this position. We are confident that we have selected the very best and brightest leader for our district,” Piscataway Board of Education Vice President Nancy Salgado-Cowan, who led the search for the district’s new leader, said as she introduced Glover at the Board meeting. “What stood out most was his intelligence, his kindness, his thoughtfulness. Mr. Glover is a dynamic and visionary leader with a clear strategic vision for moving our district to the next level of excellence.”

Glover thanked the Board and his future colleagues for the chance to lead Piscataway Township Schools.

“I’m definitely excited about the opportunity to lead a district that has demonstrated strong performance, that has demonstrated a commitment to students, and a community that is receptive to new ideas and innovation,” he said before the Board meeting. “Piscataway is an opportunity after 32 years in this field to be in another space and continue to grow my learning and also share what I’ve learned. It’s exciting for me.”

In 2016, Glover was acknowledged as one of the nation’s Great Educators of the Year. He was honored at the White House along with educators from across the country who positively contribute to the academic and social outcomes in their communities.

Glover said the diversity of Piscataway – which was rated the No. 11 most diverse district in the state by Niche.com – is “very attractive.”

“It’s something that I’ve experienced in my prior spaces,” he said. “I love the fact that it’s a diverse community with diverse perspectives. Those relationships are important.”

Glover is close to completing his doctorate in education from Columbia with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction. He has a master’s degree in Early and Elementary Education from Temple University and master’s degree in Educational Administration from Columbia University. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina.

He said he is looking forward to working alongside an extraordinary team of educators and students.

“I’ve done a little homework and I see there’s some very talented and sharp educators and leaders in the district,” Glover said. “I’m looking forward to working alongside them and sharing my thoughts and energies, and my knowledge and skills. I also think about the opportunity to engage with students who come from diverse backgrounds.

“I’m always in love with learning from our students so that we can be better servants to them.”

Involving the community in district decisions and programs is another of Glover’s priorities.

“This is not just Erskine Glover coming in and setting his own direction and his own course,” he said. “I look forward to partnering with the various stakeholders throughout the Piscataway community. We know we have a strong relationship with Rutgers, but there’s so many higher education partners that are within the vicinity, and we want to make sure we grow those relationships.

“It’s also essential that our local and regional businesses understand that they are a part of the ecosystem of Piscataway Township Schools. I want to make sure our parents feel their voices are heard and that they have a seat at the table to share their ideas.”

In remarks at Thursday’s Board meeting, Glover addressed Piscataway’s students and families.

“I assure that you will have every ounce of my energy and my attention,” he said. “I assure you there will not be a day that I go home and don’t think about how I can do things better. And I assure you that I will not embarrass the name of Piscataway and this district.”

Glover will replace Dr. Johanna Ruberto, who has served as interim superintendent since April. Previously, Dr. Frank Ranelli had served as superintendent for six years before leaving to become superintendent in Lower Merion, PA.

“We want to thank Dr. Ruberto for her leadership in this time of transition,” Cherry said. “She has helped us to maintain a standard of excellence for our schools while paving the way for our new superintendent.

“Piscataway Township Schools have never been stronger, and we are looking forward to an exciting time ahead.”