Kimberley Harrington is a former classroom teacher and school administrator who has more than 20 years of experience implementing academic programs and working directly with students and parents. 

Kimberley worked as a classroom teacher in New Jersey for 16 years and taught all grades from kindergarten to eighth grade. She then served three years as director of curriculum and instruction at the local level in New Jersey. 

In 2012, Kimberley came to the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) as the Director of Academic Standards, where she led the Department’s outreach to teachers and school leaders on how to align their local curriculum with New Jersey’s academic standards. 

Prior to becoming Commissioner, Kimberley served for two years as Assistant Commissioner/Chief Academic Officer for the NJDOE. In that role, she oversaw the NJDOE’s Division of Teaching and Learning, which has the responsibilities of the Division of Early Childhood Education, the offices of Primary Education, Intermediate and Secondary Education, Teaching and Learning Support, Academic Initiatives and Fiscal Accountability, Career Readiness, Educational Technology, and School Innovation, as well as the Amistad Commission and the Italian American Heritage Commission. Kimberley was also in charge of implementing New Jersey's Student Learning Standards, with the ultimate goal of providing a path for students to become college- and career-ready. 

Throughout her career as a classroom teacher, district administrator, and in her roles at the NJDOE, Kimberley has always maintained a focus on the importance of the cycle of teaching and learning and its impact on improved outcomes for students. She continues to place an emphasis on building a strong climate and culture as a means of providing a solid foundation for sustainable progress and making a difference in children’s lives. 

Kimberley earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from Gordon College, and a Master of Arts in Education Leadership from The College of New Jersey. She holds New Jersey certifications as a teacher, principal, and supervisor.