Principal Kafele's Biography

 

 

Baruti Kafele, whose African first name means “teacher” earned his B.S. degree in Management Science/Marketing from Kean University and his M.A. degree in Educational Administration from New Jersey City University.  He is currently the principal of Newark Tech HS in Newark, NJ, which has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report Magazine for the past two years as one of the best high schools in the U.S.
 
An award-winning educator, “Principal Kafele” - as he is affectionately known - has excelled in the capacity of both teacher and principal.  As a classroom teacher in East Orange, NJ, Principal Kafele was selected as the East Orange School District and Essex County Public Schools Teacher of the Year.  He was also selected for Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers six times.  As a principal, Principal Kafele led the transformation of three different middle schools and one high school, which included Sojourner Truth Middle School in East Orange emerging as one of the highest performing urban middle schools in the entire State of New Jersey.
 
As a writer, Principal Kafele is the author of five books which include his two best sellers: A Black Parent’s Handbook to Educating Your Children (Outside of the Classroom), and A Handbook for Teachers of African American Children. His newest book:  Motivating Black Males to Achieve in School and in Life has a release date of August, 2009.


A much sought-after speaker, Principal Kafele is “ON FIRE!!!”  He has “fired up” countless audiences with his message of “extraordinary achievement through an extraordinary attitude” for over twenty years. He conducts professional development workshops for educators at major national conferences and school districts throughout the U.S. regularly. He also conducts parenting workshops, male empowerment seminars and student motivational assemblies in addition to his powerful keynote addresses.
Principal Kafele has been written about extensively and has appeared on numerous radio and television programs.  He is also the recipient of numerous educational, professional and community awards, which included the City of Dickinson, Texas proclaiming February 8, 1998 as “Baruti Kafele Day!”  

Finally, Principal Kafele is happily married to his wife Kimberley and is the proud father of his three children, Baruti, Jabari and Kibriya.