Oak Knoll Head of School Earns NJAIS Service Award

Timothy J. Saburn, Head of Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child, is one of three recipients of the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools’ 2020 Service Award. NJAIS is a nonprofit membership association of 87 schools located throughout New Jersey.

Saburn, the long-time treasurer, will step down from his role on the organization’s Board of Trustees at the end of the 2020-21 school year after serving many years with deep dedication and expertise.

The NJAIS Service Award was established in 2014 to recognize outstanding service to the association.

“I am deeply honored and grateful to receive such recognition alongside my esteemed colleagues and friends at NJAIS,” said Saburn, who will retire from his role as Head of Oak Knoll School in the spring after 16 years. “You do not do this work to receive awards, but it is all the more rewarding when you are honored for doing something that is so meaningful in your life.”

Carole J. Everett, NJAIS Executive Director, said Saburn has been the longest serving member of the NJAIS Finance Committee.

“His business acumen, his leadership of this Committee, and his dedication to NJAIS as a Board member deserve special recognition and we thank him for his service,” she said.

Past award recipients have been Toni Brescher, of Gill St. Bernard’s School, who founded and served on the Professional Development Committee for more than 20 years; David Lowry, retired Head of Elisabeth Morrow School and NJAIS Board President; Stephanie Hammond, Instructional Technologist at Newark Academy, and founding member of the Tech Steering Committee, Nat Conard, retired Head of the Pingry School, and Jayne Geiger, retired Head of Far Hills Country Day and Rumson Country Day.

Saburn grew up in Darian, CT, graduated from St. Lawrence University and earned his master’s degree in educational leadership from Harvard University. A former Marine, Saburn has been the Head of Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child for 16 years. Prior to Oak Knoll, Saburn was Head of School at Saddle River Day School and Upper School Division Head and Counselor at Montclair Kimberley Academy. He was also a teacher of English and History, Dean of Students, football/ski jumping and baseball coach at Vermont Academy.