Born into a family of Camden educators, Superintendent Katrina T. McCombs grew up knowing the power of a good education in transforming one’s life or improving one’s circumstances. After attending Mickle School, Bonsall Elementary School, Cooper’s Poynt Family School, and Hatch Middle School, Mrs. McCombs graduated from Camden High School in 1987.  She attended Lehigh University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral and Neurosciences, before returning to Camden to work as an early childhood educator.

After two years in the classroom, Mrs. McCombs returned to higher education to better equip herself with the psychological and mental health skills she felt were necessary to support students who came to school having experienced trauma. She received both her MA and MAEd. in psychological counseling at Teachers College, Columbia University, and became a child therapist. She used her counseling skills to support students as a group therapist and middle school English teacher. She quickly moved up the ranks at Lanning Square Elementary School, from grade level chair to literacy coach, site facilitator, vice principal, and finally principal, a role she served until 2012.

Armed with a Masters of Public Administration in educational leadership from Rutgers University, Mrs. McCombs left Lanning Square to serve as Director of the District’s Early Childhood Department. In this role, she led Camden’s record levels of pre-k enrollment and supported the quality of early childhood education by investing in critical training for pre-k providers and early childhood educators.

In her four years as Deputy Superintendent of Schools, Mrs. McCombs has overseen the successful implementation of a revamped college and career readiness program, an annual leadership development program for principals, and a transformation in how District educators are coached and evaluated to ensure excellent instruction in every classroom. During this time the District’s dropout rate has fallen by half, and more students make it to graduation each year.

She serves on the Board of Directors for One Camden, and the Camden County Department of Education’s Superintendents Roundtable. Active in her church and community, outside of work Mrs. McCombs mentors young women, spends time with her husband and two daughters and sings in her church choir.

Armed with the unwavering belief that Camden students are more than capable of exceeding the state averages in reading and math, Mrs. McCombs supports the growth of high-quality neighborhood schools and provides teachers the support and resources they need to bring excellent instruction to the classroom every day.