Edison Township Public Schools is proud to announce that Dr. Thomas M. Toohey, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Special Services, has been named the 2026 New Jersey Special Education Administrator of the Year by the New Jersey Association of School Administrators (NJASA), the New Jersey Association of Pupil Services Administrators (NJAPSA), and Frontline Education.
The statewide recognition, awarded on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, honors educational leaders who demonstrate exceptional dedication, innovation, and leadership in supporting students with disabilities and strengthening special education programs. View the NJASA announcement here.
Dr. Toohey has dedicated his career to improving educational opportunities and outcomes for students and families. He began his professional journey as a special education and social studies teacher, bringing classroom experience and student-centered leadership to every role he has held throughout his career, including positions as Supervisor, Principal, and Director.
Since joining Edison Township Public Schools, Dr. Toohey has led several major initiatives
designed to expand opportunity, strengthen instructional support, and improve services for students with disabilities.
Under his leadership, Edison Township Public Schools became one of only three districts in New Jersey selected for the Collaboration in Transition NJ program, securing an $8.6 million federal grant to support transition programming and expand pathways that promote long-term independence for students with disabilities.
That work helped launch the Edison Success Academy, a therapeutic, proficiency-based program that provides alternative pathways and personalized support for students who may struggle in traditional high school settings.
Dr. Toohey has also prioritized professional learning and instructional excellence for staff. Through a partnership with Fairleigh Dickinson University, he launched an Orton-Gillingham certification initiative with the goal of certifying every special education teacher in the district by 2030.
Beyond his work in Edison Township, Dr. Toohey is recognized across New Jersey for his advocacy in the field of special education. His thought leadership includes a recent AASA publication, Special Education Is Not a Place, in which he promotes the belief that special education is defined by services, support, and student needs rather than physical settings. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Monmouth University, helping prepare and mentor future educational leaders and educators.
“Dr. Toohey’s leadership reflects his commitment to students, families, and staff,” said Superintendent Dr. Edward Aldarelli. “His vision, advocacy, and dedication continue to strengthen opportunities for students across our district and beyond.”
Edison Township Public Schools congratulates Dr. Toohey on this well-deserved recognition and thanks him for his continued leadership and service to the school community.