Dr. Marnie Hazelton, Superintendent of Englewood Public Schools (NJ) – Interview Transcript

Dr. Marnie Hazelton

Dr. Marnie HazeltonThree-time school Superintendent, Dr. Marnie Hazelton sits down for a Sunday afternoon chat with Dr. Christina Kishimoto to talk about her current leadership work in Englewood Public Schools in New Jersey. Marnie brings into her talk the criticalness of local history, local context, and the diverse cultures of Englewood as she talks about her priorities around equity of access and AI and technology.


Enjoy the conversation with Dr. Kishimoto and Dr. Hazelton below.

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The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity.

Dr. Kishimoto

Happy Sunday, Dr. Hazelton. It’s great to sit with you. Welcome to The Stories We Must Tell. You’ve been such an inspiration as a superintendent in New Jersey, and we share a connection through New York. I’m excited to have this conversation.

Dr. Hazelton

Thank you! I’m honored to be here.

Dr. Kishimoto

We just saw each other at the Tech, Power, and Equity Conference in Phoenix, where you and your team delivered an amazing presentation. What was your experience at the conference?

Dr. Hazelton

It was wonderful. Spending three days with like-minded colleagues, women, was a phenomenal learning experience. We discussed how to empower all students—especially in AI and technology. The group included current and former superintendents and state leaders. I’ve already seen some of the people I met there at other events, which speaks to the powerful connections that are made. It’s great to meet face-to-face, ask follow-up questions, and keep building relationships. It was truly inspiring.

Dr. Kishimoto

Your session was fantastic, and your team is sharp. I loved how you tied the content to the unique context of Englewood. Could you tell me about your district and why its location matters to the story you’re telling?

Dr. Hazelton

Englewood, New Jersey, is in Bergen County, one of the wealthiest counties in the state, just six miles from Manhattan. We’re surrounded by diverse neighborhoods like Washington Heights, Harlem, and the Bronx. Many families move to Englewood for better schools, but the area has shifted over time. We have a mix of demographics, with a large Hispanic population (60-65%) and a significant Jewish and Asian community. Our public schools serve a diverse population, but many middle and upper-class families send their children to private or charter schools. This creates a challenge for us—how to bring those families back to public schools. I’m proud to say that I’ve seen progress in that direction, with families re-enrolling, especially as we work on making the curriculum more inclusive.

Dr. Kishimoto 

Your work is impressive. Let’s dive into two specific areas: girls and technology. You’ve done great work with high school girls, particularly through civic education. You’ve taken them to D.C. to empower them to have a voice in policy. I know you’re also working on AI and tech. What are your goals around ensuring equity in those areas for young women in Englewood?

Dr. Hazelton

Through the Verizon Innovative Schools program (VILS), we received 1,400 LTE-enabled Chromebooks, which helped bridge the digital divide, especially during the pandemic. But our girls still face a challenge: they’re underrepresented in technology tracks at our high school. For instance, our Information Technology Academy has a majority of male students, mostly white and Asian. We’re working to change that, encouraging both our female students and students of color to get involved. We’re using some of our ESSER funds to purchase drones for our CTE programs, hoping to show that drone operation can be a viable career path. The goal is to have students graduate with a certification in drone operation. It’s important for our girls—and all students—to see role models like me in leadership positions, demonstrating that these careers are accessible to them.

Additionally, I’ve been working on initiatives like the Girls Policy Network, where we take our young women to Washington, D.C., to meet their congressional representatives and senators. It’s all about empowering them to use their voices, understand policy, and get a firsthand look at how decisions are made. This kind of civic engagement is crucial for them to see that they can impact the world around them, especially in policy and leadership spaces.

Dr. Kishimoto

Your leadership is powerful, especially in how you make sure both girls and boys of color have access to all opportunities. I admire your approach. Can you share more about your personal journey? You started in New York before coming to New Jersey. How did you end up in Englewood?

Dr. Hazelton

I’m originally from Baltimore but moved to California as a child. After college, I moved to New York to pursue a career in music. To support myself, I worked as a lifeguard and eventually started substitute teaching. One day, I saw an ad for the New York City Teaching Fellows program, which promised to pay for a master’s degree and certifications. It was a perfect fit. I taught in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, at a school on the city’s “sur list” (underperforming schools), and we managed to get it off the list within two years. That experience solidified my passion for education, and I stayed five years before moving back to Long Island to teach in the Roosevelt Union Free School District. I integrated real-world issues like the Darfur genocide into my curriculum, which got attention for its impact. It was a pivotal time for me as a teacher and leader.

Dr. Kishimoto 

That’s an incredible journey! Your work with students—whether it’s teaching or leadership—has always been about empowering them to see the world beyond their immediate surroundings. You’ve taken that into your work as a superintendent, whether it’s taking your girls to the Hill or pushing for greater representation in technology. I’m inspired by your leadership, and I know your story will inspire many.

Thank you for sharing.

Dr. Hazelton

Thank you for the conversation! It’s always a pleasure to share.

Dr. Kishimoto

It’s an honor. Thanks again for everything you do, Marnie. You’re a true leader!