Dr. Timothy Purnell, executive director and CEO of the New Jersey School Boards Association [NJSBA], presented Montville Township Board of Education Member, Dr. Karen Cortellino, with the prestigious NJSBA Champion Award during Workshop 2024 in Atlantic City.
NJSBA Champion Awards are presented to individuals who exemplify outstanding dedication and effort in areas such as teamwork, leadership, innovation and other qualities that help the NJBSA advance its mission to promote the achievement of all students.
Cortellino, a radiologist as well as an elected board of education member, received the NJSBA community Champion Award for Leadership.
“Her work as both a medical doctor and as president of NJSBA exemplifies her service to others,” Purnell said of Cortellino. “A trailblazer in the profession, she has served as an inspiration to our members. Through her innovative ‘learn, network, eat’ initiative, she has created a welcoming space where people can come together, share knowledge and build connections. Her leadership exemplifies the power of compassion and collaboration.”
Cortellino has been a member of the Montville Township Board of Education since 2006, serving as its president from 2010 – 2016. She has also served on every standing board committee, as well as various ad hoc committees. Currently Cortellino is also president of the NJSBA’s Board of Directors. From 2019 – 2023 Cortellino served as NJSBA VP for legislation/resolutions, and has earned the designations of Certified Board Member, Master Board Member, and Certified Board Leader through the NJSBA Board Member Academy. Cortellino is the first recipient of the Irene LeFebvre Excellence in Boardsmanship Award, as presented, in June 2022, by the Morris County School Boards Association. She also served as president of the MCSBA, and was a member of the MCSBA Legislative Committee.
“This is a complete surprise. I am so honored and humbled,” Cortellino said as she accepted the NJSBA Champion Award Workshop 2024. “I thank those who believed I was worthy. And I thank the New Jersey School Boards Association, both for this award, and for this organization’s dedication to public education and all of New Jersey’s 1.4 million public school students. The services and training opportunities provided to boards of education members by NJSBA are outstanding.”
Purnell presented the Champion Award for Leadership to Cortellino on October 22, during the NJSBA Workshop 2024. The NJSBA’s annual school board member Workshop is held over four days each year in the Atlantic City Convention Center.
