Meet PJ Wax, Ed.D.

Founder & Principal Consultant, Wax Education Solutions

Dr. PJ Wax is a distinguished educational leader, scholar, and innovator with a profound commitment to elevating standards and empowering learners across all educational contexts. As the driving force behind Wax Education Solutions, he brings a unique blend of executive leadership, deep academic insight, and practical, hands-on experience gained over decades in both K-12 administration and higher education.

Scholarly Expertise & Research Focus

Dr. Wax holds an Educational Doctorate (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership from the University of Bridgeport, specializing in Educational Leadership. His doctoral research culminated in a significant dissertation titled "A Program Evaluation of an English Learner Acquisition Program in a Public, Urban High School in Connecticut." This in-depth study provides him with unparalleled expertise in supporting English Language/Multi-Language Learners (ELs/MLs) and developing equitable, effective language acquisition programs.

Beyond his current role as an Assistant Professor of Education and Program Coordinator at the University of Bridgeport, where he is instrumental in shaping the next generation of educators by writing and revising curriculum for both Social Studies Teacher Preparation and the hybrid Ed.D. Program, Dr. Wax boasts over 14 years of teaching experience at the higher education level. Since 2011, he has served as an Adjunct Professor of History at Norwalk Community College within the Connecticut State College and University System (CSCU), where he has taught foundational courses such as Western Civilization to 1500, Western Civilization from 1500, and U.S. History to 1877. This extensive post-secondary teaching further underscores his commitment to designing standards-based courses that incorporate UDL principles, preparing future educators with modern pedagogical approaches, and ensuring curriculum currency, relevancy, and alignment with professional standards and accreditation reports.

A Leader in Practice and Pedagogy

Dr. Wax’s career is marked by a passion for cultivating excellence. He most recently served as the Principal of Western Middle School in Greenwich Public Schools and previously as a highly impactful Assistant Principal at Westhill High School in Stamford, CT—one of Connecticut’s largest and most diverse schools. In these roles, he demonstrated exceptional leadership, overseeing nearly every department, implementing comprehensive student support systems (including PPT and 504 processes), and championing data-driven interventions to close achievement gaps. His administrative tenure is distinguished by his ability to foster positive school cultures, optimize operational efficiency through strategic master scheduling, and build strong community partnerships, notably establishing Westhill as the first Professional Development School outside of Westchester County.

Prior to his administrative career, Dr. Wax dedicated 17 years as a Social Studies Teacher. This extensive classroom experience spans both middle school (including at West Rocks Middle School in Norwalk, CT, and Our Lady of Sorrows School in White Plains, NY) and high school levels. His high school teaching includes significant time at Fairfield Ludlowe High School in Fairfield, CT, where he taught a wide range of courses, including AP, Honors, and College Prep levels. He also gained valuable experience at Walter Panas High School in Cortlandt Manor, Westchester County, New York, teaching both Regents and non-Regents classes. Throughout his teaching tenure, Dr. Wax not only instructed but also actively designed and developed courses at both the secondary and post-secondary levels that were both standards-based and incorporated Universal Design for Learning (UDL) elements, ensuring accessibility and effectiveness for all learners. This hands-on background in diverse educational environments, from middle school fundamentals to advanced high school curricula, laid the foundation for his deep understanding of classroom dynamics, curriculum differentiation, and student needs across varying academic tracks and developmental stages.

Driving Educational Innovation

At Wax Education Solutions, Dr. Wax leverages his comprehensive expertise to provide strategic consulting, transformative professional learning, and hands-on support in areas such as:

  • Curriculum Design & Standards-Based Implementation: Guiding schools through the adoption of rigorous, standards-aligned learning frameworks.

  • English Learner Program Enhancement: Developing and evaluating robust programs that ensure success for diverse language learners.

  • Educational Leadership Coaching: Empowering administrators and teacher leaders to excel through tailored development and strategic guidance.

  • Accreditation & Compliance Support: Specializing in processes like NEASC accreditation for high schools and ensuring regulatory adherence.

  • Data-Driven School Improvement: Utilizing data analytics to inform decision-making and drive continuous institutional growth.

Dr. Wax is also the host of the "Waxing Pedagogic" podcast, where he shares his insights, engages in thoughtful discussions on current educational trends, and offers practical strategies for educators worldwide.

With Dr. PJ Wax, you partner with a leader who combines the wisdom of extensive experience with a forward-thinking, research-informed approach, dedicated to achieving tangible and lasting educational impact.