September 30, 2016

SUMMIT, NJ, September 27, 2016 – Timothy J. Saburn, head of school at Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child, in Summit, New Jersey, has been awarded a fully-funded fellowship to the Klingenstein Center for Independent School Leadership’s 2017 Heads of Schools Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. This distinguished honor, established in 1991, is granted to just 20 heads of schools annually.

Mr. Saburn was selected along with heads from across the continental United States in addition to participants from China, South Africa, Brazil, Germany, Sweden, Cote D’Ivoire and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In January 2017, these heads of schools will gather together at the Columbia University Campus for intensive study to examine educational issues facing independent and international schools. In addition to academic enrichment and actionable research, the award provides school leaders with an opportunity for focused professional enrichment, renewal and reflection.

With over 30 years of experience in independent education, Mr. Saburn became Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child’s first-ever male head of school in 2005. He holds a master of education from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree from St. Lawrence University. He was previously selected as a fellow for the Klingenstein Summer Institute for Early Career Teachers in 1985.

“I am honored and humbled by my selection as a fellow by such a highly respected and exemplary program for independent school Heads worldwide,” Saburn said.

The Klingenstein Center is dedicated to improving the quality of independent and international school education by developing and strengthening leadership among teachers and administrators from schools in the United States and throughout the world.  The Center attracts and selects educators who have demonstrated outstanding accomplishment or potential for excellence and equips them with the knowledge, skills and values necessary for informed and effective practice. All fellowships and graduate programs focus on instructional leadership, collaboration and teamwork, ethical decision-making, reflective practice and a commitment to social justice and diversity.

Drawing upon a record of success that spans more than 35 years and the full resources of Teachers College and Columbia University, the Klingenstein Center stands alone in its capacity to develop leaders for independent schools. The Klingenstein Center programs include the fully-funded, two week fellowship for heads of schools, a fully-funded, two-week fellowship for early career teachers, master’s degree programs in private school leadership and an MA/MBA dual degree in cooperation with either Columbia Business School or INSEAD.

Founded by the Holy Child Sisters, Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child is an independent, Catholic school, coeducational in elementary school from kindergarten through grade six; and all-girls in middle and high school from grades seven through 12.