
Michael L. Cahill was a teacher before summoning the courage to become an administrator. For his opening act he was the coordinator of a fifth grade ‘school within a school’ before becoming the assistant principal and ultimately principal of the Millburn Middle School. The Millburn Township, New Jersey, Public Schools have consistently been acknowledged for fostering exceptional achievement at the state and national levels. Cahill has thirty-three years of experience as an educator, including sixteen as principal.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education with certifications in English, reading, and general business from Seton Hall University and two master’s degrees in education, one with a concentration in curriculum from Seton Hall University and the other in educational leadership from New Jersey City University.
Proudly born and raised in Hoboken, New Jersey, Cahill always knew he wanted to be a teacher.
His favorite pastimes include family activities like preparing special meals and desserts, nature trails, card games, movies, spending time with relatives in Hoboken, and beach walks and sunsets in Montauk, Long Island.
A husband, father, and teacher always, Cahill lives in Morris County, New Jersey, with his wife Lea, two children, Michael and Caroline, and a clingy cockapoo named Abby.
“A role that I found myself playing as principal, especially as a middle school principal, was that of “the guardian.” We knew what effective teaching looked like. As we continue on in this 21st century of innovation, we should carefully explore how we can retain those heuristic features – the human experience, engagement, creativity, culture, learning how to learn – as we become a more technology-dependent enterprise.“