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Michael
Kohlhagen

Superintendent

South Salem, New York

An education management professional for nearly 20 years, Michael Kohlhagen possesses a proven career of promoting and facilitating academic excellence. During his tenure as Superintendent of Schools, Michael Kohlhagen provided leadership, supervision, and organization to a system responsible for the education of over 3,800 students. In 2009, Connecticut Magazine recognized Michael Kohlhagen for the academic improvement of Wethersfield Public Schools. Committed to excellence in the Connecticut school district, Michael Kohlhagen enhanced student achievement by increasing student support services, and produced improved state assessment results on Connecticut Mastery Tests (CMT) in science, literacy, and mathematics. In an effort to promote the overall safety of the student body, Michael Kohlhagen improved both the internal and external communication systems within the schools, and enhanced communication and collaboration between the school’s community and staff.

Michael Kohlhagen entered the education system as a Social Worker for the New York City public school system, after receiving a Masters of Social Work from Fordham University in 1988. Quickly promoted within the largest public school district in the United States, Michael Kohlhagen finished an 11-year career with the New York City Department of Education as Director of Pupil Personnel Services. Leaving New York to join the Hartford Public Schools in January of 1999, Michael Kohlhagen assumed responsibility for the entire student support services division, including health services, career readiness, special education services, and attendance.

Currently, Michael Kohlhagen is completing his dissertation in the pursuit of an Ed.D. in Education Administration. He is a resident of Westchester County in New York.


Michael Kohlhagen's Schools

  		•  Fordham University , Class of 1988
    MS in Social Work

    Earning the MSW degree at Fordham is accomplished through a combination of classes focused on social work theory and field work where the theory is put into practice. The complete program includes sixty-six credit hours which can be earned through a number of options for full-time and part-time studies. There are also two special programs for students with specific prior qualifications. Applicants with a Bachelors degree in Social Work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education may qualify for Advanced Standing and complete the degree in one year. Applicants with more than three years experience working in a social work capacity may qualify for the Experienced and Employed Social Service Practitioner (EESSP) model and complete a single extended field placement arranged at their place of employment.
  		• The College of New Rochelle , Class of 1986
    Bachelors in Psychology

    For 106 years, The College of New Rochelle has provided its students with a richly diverse and intellectually stimulating experience. Today, as a medium-size, multi-campus independent institution serving more than 5,000 students in four academic units, the College continues to provide an educational experience through which the unique potential of each student can be realized.

Michael Kohlhagen's Companies

  		•  Wethersfield Public Schools 2007 - 2010
    Superintendent of Schools
    the strategic implementation of the mission, vision and goals of the Board of Education resulting in significant and continuous improvement in all aspects of the School District. Michael Kohlhagen saw improved overall ranking amongst similar size Towns and it was confirmed in the November 2009 issue of Connecticut Magazine. Michael Kohlhagen improved Student Achievement and Student Support Services as well as State Assessment Results on CMT in Literacy, Mathematics and Sciences. Michael Kohlhagen was further successful in improving CAPT and SAT Results at Wethersfield High School. He was responsible for improving Financial Management and Capital. Michael Kohlhagen improved Internal and External Communication systems, the usage of Instructional Technology to Impact Student Achievement. Michael Kohlhagen also improved Accountability Systems at All Levels and enhanced collaboration and support for Staff and Community Members at All Levels
  		• Port Chester Rye Union Free School District 2001 - 2007
    Assistant Superintendent for Instruction
    Michael Kohlhagen served in the Port Chester School District. The school is part of a high need, high performing District that embraces diversity and strives for "Success for Every Student ". The accomplishment highlights of Michael Kohlhagen’s work are impressive. Michael Kohlhagen initiated and developed, via committee, a research based teacher evaluation tool. He also developed, via committee, a Five Year Instructional Technology Plan and strengthened reading intervention programs throughout the district. Michael Kohlhagen further went on to strengthened Special Education continuum of programs including inclusion and co- teaching programming including enhanced special education self contained classrooms. Michael Kohlhagen further initiated a Data Warehouse Project and Led the adoption of K 8 Inquiry based Science Program. He initiated an effective curriculum mapping project and also strengthened parent programs and the home school connection. Michael Kohlhagen is the founding partner of the Southern Westchester Collaborative High School, a therapeutic, alternative High School Facilitated the development of School Based Health Centers.

Michael Kohlhagen's Publications

  • Michael Kohlhagen's Education and Career through 2010, Michael Kohlhagen
    March, 2011
    In his career in the field of education, Michael Kohlhagen has worked for several different school districts and achieved a high level of success in leadership and management capacities. Before Michael Kohlhagen embarked on his career, he attended the College of New Rochelle to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Later, Michael Kohlhagen enrolled at Fordham University in New York, New York, and he earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work in 1988. To complete his formal education, he currently studies at Columbia University in New York City and expects to receive his Doctor of Education in 2011.

    Since Michael Kohlhagen earned his Master’s degree, he has worked in numerous positions for the New York City Department of Education. First, as a Social Worker in 1988, Michael Kohlhagen worked in this capacity for three years before moving up to Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel Services. Over the next few years, his work assignments increased in number and difficulty. Michael Kohlhagen learned most of his core leadership, supervision, and accountability skills through the New York City Department of Education, which eventually promoted him to Executive Administrator to the Office of the Superintendent.

    After he left the New York City Department of Education, Michael Kohlhagen served as Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services for the Hartford Public School System in Hartford, Connecticut. Some of his duties included the oversight of social work, special education, parental involvement, and psychological services. After two years of service in this capacity, Michael Kohlhagen accepted the position of Assistant Superintendent for Instruction at the Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District in Port Chester, New York. Here, Michael Kohlhagen led many initiatives, including the creation of a research-based, teacher evaluation tool.

    Lastly, Michael Kohlhagen’s most recent position was Superintendent of Schools for the Wethersfield Public School district in Wethersfield, Connecticut. He accomplished many endeavors in this position, including the improvement of internal communication systems, accountability systems, and student achievement and support services. Michael Kohlhagen remains thankful for the many opportunities he has enjoyed to work with some of the most talented teachers in the education sector over the years.