Samuel Fancera Professor • Educational Leadership and Professional Studies View CV Website Dr. Samuel F. Fancera is an Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Department of Educational Leadership and Professional Studies at William Paterson University. With a career that bridges K–12 and higher education, he brings a unique blend of hands-on leadership experience and scholarly insight to his work. Before joining the William Paterson faculty, Dr. Fancera served for more than a decade as a principal and science department supervisor in New Jersey public schools. His experiences as a school leader continue to shape his teaching and research.His scholarship focuses on leadership practices that foster professional learning, empower teachers, and create equitable opportunities for all students. He is particularly interested in how school leaders leverage social media and emerging technologies to build collaboration and sustain growth, as well as strategies for cultivating teacher leaders in diverse educational contexts. His research has appeared in leading journals such as Professional Development in Education, NASSP Bulletin, and The Clearing House, and he regularly shares his work at national and international conferences.At William Paterson, Dr. Fancera teaches doctoral and master’s courses on research design, leadership theory, and legal issues for school leaders, while mentoring graduate students on dissertations that tackle real-world challenges in education. He is deeply committed to preparing future leaders who can navigate complex educational landscapes and drive meaningful change. Connect with him on X: @SamFancera Professional Interests Dr. Fancera’s professional interests center on educational leadership and leadership development for principals and teacher leaders. He focuses on designing and implementing effective professional development programs, fostering context-responsive leadership practices, and leveraging social media and digital networks to enhance educator learning. His work emphasizes leadership for the success of all students and adults in schools. Dr. Fancera has led funded initiatives to empower teacher leaders and strengthen professional learning communities in P–12 schools, applying evidence-based strategies to improve organizational capacity and student outcomes. Degrees EdD Educational Theory, Policy, & Administration, Rutgers University New Brunswick, NJ EdM Educational Theory, Policy, & Administration, Rutgers University New Brunswick, NJ MS Exercise & Sport Sciences, University of Arizona Tucson, AZ BA Biology, Kean College Union, NJ Specialization Educational leadership with emphasis on teacher and principal development, context-responsive leadership, and leveraging digital networks for professional learning. Licenses and Certifications Certificate of Eligibility 06/30/2010 School Administrator CE, NJDoE State Standard Certificate 07/31/2010 Principal, NJDoE State Standard Certificate 05/31/2005 Supervisor, NJDoE State Standard Certificate 06/30/2003 Teacher of Physical Science, NJDoE State Standard Certificate 06/30/2002 Teacher of Biological Science, NJDoE State Representative Publications Promoting and supporting teacher leaders: The potential of targeted professional development.; 2025 https://doi.org/10.30828/real.1758556 Principal Leadership to Empower STEM Educators: Using Online Continuing Professional Development to Sustain Growth; , ; Volume 98, Issue 5-6 2025 https://doi.org/10.1080/00098655.2025.2579921 Context Responsive Leadership to Explain X/Twitter for Professional Development Scale Scores; , The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas; Volume 97, 2024 https://doi.org/10.1080/00098655.2024.2426650 Leadership for staff hope: Can it offer similar outcomes as student hope?; , Journal of Educational Studies and Multidisciplinary Approaches; 2023 https://doi.org/10.51383/jesma.2023.70 Twitter for Professional Development and Learning in High-Needs Schools: Considerations for School Leaders; Digital Learning in High-Needs Schools: A Critical Approach to Technology Access and Equity in PreK-12; Routledge; 2023 Representative Presentations Bridging Educational Silos: Academic Library–P–12 Partnerships for Professional Development, Information Literacy, and Educational Innovation 2026 New Jersey Academic Libraries Conference VALE NJ-EDGE Union, NJ 2026 Cultivating teacher leaders: A study of strategy design and professional development NERA 2025 Conference Northeastern Educational Research Association Trumball, CT 2025 Leadership in context: Examining school district demographic and socioeconomic factors to predict superintendent salary NERA 2025 Conference Northeastern Educational Research Association Trumball, CT 2025 Investigating equity directors’ responsibilities and expectations in public schools NERA 2025 Conference Northeastern Educational Research Association Trumball, CT 2025 Hope in New Jersey schools New England Educational Research Organization 2020 Portsmouth, NH 2020 Awards and Honors Nominated for Excellence in Educational Leadership Award University Council for Educational Administration 04/01/2012 Reward School, Indiana Avenue School #18, Woodbridge Township School District, Woodbridge, New Jersey New Jersey Department of Education 04/01/2012 Dissertation Proposal Award Delta Xi Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, Rutgers University 04/01/2008 Media PDiE Author Interview https://strath.zoom.us/rec/play/TZ1OcGZ6BPuFQsOn_1Cv5-hNbsL_sb6btYMuLQmBelQleerXsd3QP1I3EvLpNFYIICNuDbKziRKloPP6.XJ1fA3vlzkbL-gXE?continueMode=true&_x_zm_rtaid=JDdJC6cRRqumxqiIVBDZ4w.1624882689687.5dad7928f26efb9ae68488e458157a5c&_x_zm_rhtaid=79 A short interview with a number of authors, whose articles have recently been published in PDiE and the focus of these conversations is leadership within technology enhanced professional learning spaces. Fellowships, Grants and Research Practices to Promote and Support Teacher Leadership in New Jersey P-12 Public Schools (Contracted with the NJ Department of Education) Contract Applying self-determination theory to elucidate the online professional learning landscape for teachers in the post-pandemic era Grant Fostering pathways for STEM teachers and leaders Grant The professional development and learning landscape for urban and rural teachers and administrators: Factors to consider for the post pandemic era Grant Notable Courses Taught Spring 2026EDLP 6030 Educational ResearchEDLP 6132 Internship in Educational Leadership Part BLEAD 7310 Research Design & Methods ILEAD 7901 Leader Learner CommunitySummer 2026EDLP 6110 Legal and School Centered IssuesLEAD 7902 Leader Learner Community Email 973 720 3088 4015 Valley Road Monday through Thursday @ 2:00-3:15 p.m.
