In the heart of Haskell, New Jersey, Dr. Patrick McQueeney is leading a quiet revolution. As superintendent of the Wanaque Borough School District, McQueeney isn’t chasing headlines or trendy education jargon. Instead, he’s focused on something far more essential: restoring humanity to the classroom. With over two decades of experience in education, he’s witnessed the evolution—and sometimes, the unraveling—of school culture, and he’s determined to meet this moment with clarity, compassion, and intentionality.
“We’re seeing atypical behaviors of students that aren’t really mental health issues,” McQueeney shared during his appearance on the Education Leadership Edge podcast, “but are really centered around the ability to resolve conflicts, to interact with one another—just basic human emotions and things.” What might once have been learned at home, McQueeney says, now must be taught in schools. Empathy. Patience. Disagreement without disdain.
McQueeney’s approach is both philosophical and practical. He understands that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a trend that had already been building for years—a disconnection between students, families, and the foundational social skills that once seemed innate. But he doesn’t place the blame squarely on the virus. “I think it’s deeper than that,” he explained. “It’s been a slow burn… there’s just not civil discourse anymore. There’s not an acceptance of other ideas. And then COVID really exacerbated that.”
That deep insight into the intersection of societal behavior and student well-being is what makes McQueeney’s leadership so resonant. Rather than introduce quick fixes or rely solely on formal SEL curricula, he’s encouraged teachers to lead with heart, not just with standards.
“There’s no magic pill,” he says plainly. “It’s being intentional… It’s more of a recognition that this is what our students need and it’s important and we need to take time to do it.”
That kind of intentionality extends beyond students. McQueeney is equally attuned to the pressures facing his staff. In a profession plagued by burnout, teacher shortages, and a declining sense of respect from the broader public, McQueeney sees the human side of educators. He recounted a recent example in which an administrator faced a decision about how to evaluate a struggling teacher. Rather than stamp a low score and move on, the administrator chose to engage, to ask, “What do you need?”
“That’s the human approach,” McQueeney emphasized. “Because they are our educators, they are people, and they need our support.”
It’s this blend of humanity and high expectations that defines McQueeney’s vision of education. At a time when the public narrative around education is increasingly polarized—fueled by skepticism, budget shortfalls, and growing political tensions—he is unwavering in his belief that the solution lies in refocusing on students’ real needs, not ideology.
“Educating a child is a very apolitical thing,” he said. “Being a good person is not a political thing… We need to focus on teaching and learning for each student, not in a factory, one-size-fits-all approach.”
That includes embracing innovation, not resisting it. Unlike some educators wary of technology’s growing presence, McQueeney sees promise in artificial intelligence. Used intentionally, he believes it can help level the playing field. “We’re able to differentiate in many different languages at different levels, provide feedback in real time… We really have a very powerful tool.”
But again, he returns to that same guiding principle: intentionality. Tools are only as good as the purpose they serve. Whether it’s a calculator or ChatGPT, it’s not about the technology itself—it’s about using it wisely, and never losing sight of the human connection that makes learning meaningful.
Even as McQueeney juggles tight budgets—his district lost more than $4.5 million in state funding over seven years—he refuses to compromise on what matters most. “We have a responsibility to our taxpayers,” he acknowledged, “but we also have to provide the environment that all of our students need to excel.”
That’s no easy task. But for McQueeney, leadership is about rising to the challenge year after year, adapting to new needs without losing sight of enduring values.
“If we focus on our kids,” he said, “that’s always my constant focus. How can we do better? How can we individualize? And how can we provide the environment that all of our students need to excel?”
In a field where the headlines often focus on failure or controversy, Patrick McQueeney’s story is a reminder that education still has its champions—leaders who understand that success isn’t about quick wins, but about consistent, compassionate, and intentional care for students and staff alike.
Tune into our entire conversation with McQueeney on this week’s episode of the Education Leadership Edge podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.