Bridgeton Math Supervisor Agostini Named NJASCD Emerging Leader

Kaitlynn Agostini, who oversees mathematics instruction for grades 6 through 12 at Bridgeton Public Schools, was selected as one of 13 outstanding educators across New Jersey to join the 2026 Class of Emerging Leaders recognized by the New Jersey Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

NJASCD describes the recognition as a prestigious acknowledgment of talented educators statewide and an opportunity for recipients to join a community passionate about teaching, learning, and leading, dedicated to the whole child and to creating transformational learning opportunities for all students. The program is most closely aligned to recognize and support those who have been in education for approximately 5 to 15 years and those within their first five years of an educational leadership role.

Agostini and her fellow honorees will now be part of a one-year program that includes a personalized action plan and monthly meetings with their own NJASCD mentor, giving them a platform to elevate their work and pursue a variety of opportunities to lead in the field of education. Announced in January 2026, the program launched officially at the NJASCD February Summit, where a meet and greet connected emerging leaders with their mentors before the conference began. Recognition at the NJASCD spring conference and the annual NJPSA/FEA/NJASCD Fall Conference, as well as on social media and the NJASCD website, is also included in the program's benefits.

Agostini is not the only Bridgeton Public Schools administrator with ties to NJASCD's leadership network. Barbara Wilchensky, who directs Curriculum, Language Arts, and Social Studies for the district and brings 24 years of experience to that role, joined NJASCD, in her own words, "to connect with a vibrant community of educators, learn about the impactful work happening across New Jersey, and continue to grow as a leader." Wilchensky, who earned her B.A. from Rowan University and her M.A. in Education from Fairleigh Dickinson University, has also served the region as a Board of Education member for Cumberland Regional High School.

The state organization itself is led by Kathryn Lemerich, a 2017 ASCD Emerging Leader and current NJASCD president who works as a Mathematics Content Integration Specialist in the Program for Teacher Preparation at Princeton University. Lemerich has worked as a teacher, coach, supervisor, assistant principal, principal, and consultant, and authored the chapter "Igniting the Spark: Creating Inspiration in Leadership" in the book "The Impact of Innovation in Leadership." Jessica Nathan, who serves as Supervisor of Elementary Education in Montville Township, chairs the NJASCD Programs Committee and has held roles as North Region Director and State Member-at-Large, helping shape initiatives supporting educators across New Jersey.

As part of the year-long program, Agostini will receive a guaranteed presentation slot at an NJASCD conference in the 2026-2027 school year, along with a mentorship carefully matched to meet her individual needs as an emerging leader. For a district like Bridgeton, which has committed leadership across both mathematics and curriculum departments, the recognition signals growing statewide visibility for the work being done in Cumberland County classrooms.