Latest in NJEA News and Publications

Support staff deserve fair treatment

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:26:00 -0400

Good employers treat their employees fairly, not only because it’s the decent thing to do, but because workers who are justly compensated for their labor are more productive. When employees have job security—when they know their career prospects aren’t subject to the whims of their bosses—they are loyal to their employers.

New leadership elected for NJEA

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:24:00 -0400

NJEA members have elected three educators from among their ranks to serve as officers for two-year terms beginning this September.

Westampton Educator to Tour Brazilian Schools

Fri, 10 May 2013 13:30:00 -0400

The NEA Foundation named Jeanne DelColle, an honors world and U.S. history teacher at Burlington County Institute of Technology in Westampton, NJ, as a 2013 Pearson Foundation Global Learning Fellow. With this honor, DelColle joins a unique class of 36 award-winning public school educators who will build their global competency skills, or the capacity and disposition to understand and act on issues of global significance.

NJ educator hits bullseye with Pinterest

Thu, 09 May 2013 11:46:00 -0400

As part of NEA’s National Teacher Day celebration, WTEA member Josie Smolka, a fifth grade teacher at Pond Road Middle School in Robbinsville, was one of five educators across the nation recognized for their creativity in using Pinterest to enhance their students’ classroom experience.

A song in her heart

Wed, 08 May 2013 15:08:00 -0400

NJEA and BEN-FM have partnered to educate the public about the important role Educational Support Professionals play in our schools and in our communities. This is Rose Casey. She has been working with middle school students with special needs for the 10 years. She loves helping her students learn and grow.

May is Physical Education and Sport Month

Tue, 07 May 2013 14:37:00 -0400

JoAnn Doherty, president of the New Jersey Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (NJAHPERD), accepts a resolution from State Board of Education President Arcelio Aponte at the May 1 State Board meeting. The board proclaimed May to be “National Physical Education and Sport Month” and urged “all school districts in the State of New Jersey to renew their commitment to quality health and physical education programs and physical activity to improve the health and well-being of this state’s children.”

Proposed regulations threaten special education quality

Tue, 07 May 2013 11:06:00 -0400

Commissioner Chris Cerf and the New Jersey Department of Education (DOE) continue to push for radical revisions of the state’s special education laws. Educators, parents and special education advocacy organizations who have studied the proposal are sounding the alarm, noting that the changes would harm special education students and make special education teachers’ and guidance counselors’ jobs more difficult.

Celebrate teachers this week

Mon, 06 May 2013 11:47:00 -0400

May 7, 2013 is National Teacher Day, a time for honoring teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions they make to our lives. That week, May 5-11, is designated Teacher Appreciation Week by the National PTA.

NJEA, NJCCC honor community college scholars

Fri, 03 May 2013 11:26:00 -0400

NJEA joined the New Jersey Council of County Colleges to honor New Jersey’s 35 best and brightest community college students and their families at the 19^th annual Phi Theta Kappa Day celebration on Thursday, May 2, at the Trenton Marriott Hotel.

Evaluation regs move to proposal level

Thu, 02 May 2013 15:49:00 -0400

A new evaluation system for New Jersey’s teachers is one step closer to implementation. At the May 1 State Board of Education meeting, board members voted to officially propose the regulations governing teacher evaluation in New Jersey.

NJEA/ Greater Media recognizes NJEA members

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:50:00 -0400

NJEA partnered with New Jersey Greater Media radio stations to salute over 60 teachers and Educational Support Professional at three events in April.

Teleconference informs, spurs action on proposed special education regulations

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:58:00 -0400

NJEA Secretary-Treasurer Marie Blistan was quick to thank the 929 parents, teachers, education support professionals, and special education advocates who participated in the Association’s first statewide teleconference on April 22. The purpose of the conference was to educate callers on new special education regulations proposed by the New Jersey Department of Education.

Para jobs saved in Franklin Township

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:44:00 -0400

As the clock struck 10 p.m. on March 14, Franklin Township Education Association’s (FTEA) paraprofessionals were still listening to the Franklin Township Board of Education debate their fate. For the second time in as many years, the board was considering privatization the 109 members, many of whom are one-on-one aides for the district’s neediest students.

April elections bring big wins for school districts

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:00:00 -0400

It’s the kind of support rarely seen whenever a voting booth is involved: More than 92 percent of the school budgets passed in annual elections held April 16. That’s a good start for the handful of districts in New Jersey that have chosen not to move elections to November under a law that went into effect in 2011.

Hipp Foundation grants awarded

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:36:00 -0400

Teachers throughout New Jersey will bring their creative ideas to life thanks to financial support from NJEA. The NJEA Frederick L. Hipp Foundation for Excellence in Education has awarded another 11 grants totaling $88,600 to public school educators for the 2013-14 school year. Since its creation, the Foundation has awarded nearly $1.6 million in support of 312 innovative educational projects that represent a bold, fresh approach by public school employees.

Fact:

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 15:51:00 -0400

The numbers don’t lie. Under Governor Chris Christie, New Jersey residents continue to fall behind the rest of America, and things continue to get worse. Here are just a few of the numbers that the Christie administration would rather we not see.

A trusted adult and confidant

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 14:58:00 -0400

Lynn Cianci has been a food service worker in the Washington Township School District for 19 years. She enjoys the challenge of preparing nutritious and appealing meals for high school students, but the thing she enjoys most about her job is interacting with her students. Lynn is featured in the latest NJEA ad running on BEN-FM this month.

NJEA weighs in on governor’s budget plan

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:40:00 -0400

Testifying before the Assembly Budget Committee at Rutgers Law School April 9, NJEA Vice President Wendell Steinhauer said Gov. Chris Christie’s proposed budget for FY14 “falls short” for public schools, failing to offset nearly $3.6 billion in cuts to education over the past three years.

State board discusses proposed evaluation regs

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 10:15:00 -0400

NJEA members crowded into the State Board of Education meeting April 3, joining President Barbara Keshishian to speak out about problems with regulations proposed to implement the new teacher evaluation system passed into law last year. The regulations were presented to the State Board at second discussion level. The N.J. Department of Education (DOE) had made only minor changes to the code from when it was first introduced last month.

Closter EA raises thousands for Sandy relief

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:53:00 -0400

The Closter Education Association was proud to host a pancake breakfast at Applebee’s in Northvale on March 3 to benefit schools recovering from Superstorm Sandy. CEA raised over $2,700, which they donated to the public schools in Red Bank.

New Jersey State Conference of NAACP Rally on April 6

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:47:00 -0400

On Saturday, April 6 come out and join us at a rally sponsored by the New Jersey NAACP at the New Jersey Statehouse in Trenton. The NJ NAACP is taking a stand to bridge the gap in education, achieve a fair share of affordable housing, economic development, and employment opportunities.

All in for Citizenship March and Rally

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:50:00 -0400

The National Education Association (NEA) is asking you to join them in the All in for Citizenship March and Rally on April 10 in Washington, DC. The event will reassert the mandate from the election for Congress to act urgently to fix our nation’s broken immigration system. Also, read about NEA's national contest to send two winners to fly to Washington, D.C. to participate in the march.

Latinos and the Future of Higher Education Conference

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:37:00 -0400

A conference exploring the role of Latinos in higher education is being held on April 9-10, 2013. The event, entitled Latinos and the Future of Higher Education: Access, Retention and Graduate Aspirations will take place at the Downtown Marriott Hotel in Trenton, New Jersey. Registration materials must be postmarked on or before March 29, 2013.

NJEA assures Camden schools:

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 11:32:00 -0400

NJEA President Barbara Keshishian issued the following statement in response to this morning’s announcement by the Christie administration that it is taking over the Camden Public Schools: “It is always preferable to have public schools managed by local communities, and the citizens of Camden must be assured that they will continue to have a strong and respected voice in reforming a public school system that meets the needs of all Camden students."

NJEA endorses Barbara Buono

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 10:00:00 -0400

The 195,000-member New Jersey Education Association has endorsed Senator Barbara Buono for governor. "Barbara Buono has supported public education for her entire career in the Legislature," said NJEA President Barbara Keshishian. "She is a proud graduate of New Jersey’s public schools, and understands the vital role they play in the aspirations of middle class citizens."

Keeping Schools Running

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:44:00 -0400

For the past 22 years, Brian Currie has been a maintenance mechanic in the Buena Regional School District. His workday is busy and may include an array of tasks ranging from performing maintenance on the heating system, to helping a student find a lost retainer. But his favorite part of the job is spending time with his students and encouraging them to do their best and make good choices.

Adubato interviews NJ educators

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 15:37:00 -0500

Each will showcase programs that have been covered by NJEA’s Emmy Award-winning TV show, “Classroom Close-up, NJ.” The topics range from math and science to the lessons learned by communities coming together in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.

Sandy Ground:
Where angels play

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:15:00 -0500

Twenty children and six adults, representing the victims of the school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, broke ground March 1 at Sea Bright, N.J. on the first of 26 playgrounds that will be constructed in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut coastal communities hit by Hurricane Sandy. Each playground will be named for one of the victims of the massacre in Newtown, Conn. last December.

Reading: You’re never too old, wacky, or wild

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 09:00:00 -0500

Reading is a year-round priority for New Jersey educators and their students, but early March is, well, another story entirely. For the 15th consecutive year, the New Jersey Education Association is promoting reading and family literacy through its annual Read Across America-NJ program, which culminates on March 1.

Christie playing politics with Supreme Court nominations

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 10:03:00 -0500

According to published reports, at a town hall meeting in Montville yesterday, Gov. Christie complained that he’s been unable to appoint Supreme Court justices who will “let him cut spending by changing how education is funded.” Specifically, he wants the court to change the long-standing Abbott ruling regarding school funding in many of New Jersey’s most economically-challenged communities.

NJEA statement on budget address

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 17:05:00 -0500

NJEA President Barbara Keshishian released the following statement in response to Gov. Christie’s budget address earlier today: “Gov. Christie’s budget rehashes, reheats and repackages the same failed policies and priorities that have stunted economic growth in the Garden State while others in our region have begun to recover."

NJEA on gun safety: It’s time to act

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:12:00 -0500

NJEA supports common-sense gun safety measures designed to protect students and school employees from gun violence, and to make all of our schools and communities safer. NJEA is working in coalition with other groups to advance legislation to help achieve that goal.

Mount Arlington teacher receives $5K grant for weather and soil monitoring

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 14:46:00 -0500

Julie Crawford, who teaches gifted and talented students at Mount Arlington School in Morris County, received a $5,000 Science and Technology Grant from BASF which is headquartered nearby. The grant will be applied to the school’s new SOARS Program (Students Observing the Atmosphere through Remote Sensing).

Science teachers selected for national teacher academy

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 14:40:00 -0500

Three NJEA members are among the 244 science teachers chosen nationwide as fellows in the 2012–13 National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) New Science Teacher Academy. The fellows will participate in a year-long professional development program designed to help promote quality science teaching, enhance teacher confidence and classroom excellence and improve teacher content knowledge.

Working with parents as a team

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 11:17:00 -0500

Darlene McKnight, Trenton Paraprofessional Association member, is the latest educational support professional to be featured in a series of ads running on Philadelphia’s BEN-FM.

High standards, great success

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:22:00 -0500

Lauren Marrocco’s smiling face and soothing voice cannot hide the fact that she is an extremely driven person. Her high standards for herself and her students have been recognized – in October she was named the 2012-13 New Jersey State Teacher of the Year. Read More

NJEA ESP highlighted on BEN-FM

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 16:34:00 -0500

School security guards and custodial and maintenance workers keep our public schools safe, healthy places to learn. That's why NJEA and BEN-FM are highlighting the important work they do in two 60-second radio ads.

Union Beach EA honors hometown heroes

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:55:00 -0500

The late Mr. Fred Rogers once said, “Anyone who does anything to help a child in his life is a hero to me.” Mr. Rogers would have been proud of over 275 hometown heroes honored on Dec. 26 by the Union Beach Education Association. The UBEA hosted a dinner to acknowledge its mayor, town council, police and fire departments, emergency medical services, and educators for their hard work in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.

Get ready for "No Name-Calling Week"

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 11:42:00 -0500

Every child deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. That’s why NJEA has joined forces with GLSEN (The Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network) to promote No Name-Calling Week during January 21-25, 2013.

NJEA airs new PRIDE TV ad campaign

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 16:12:00 -0500

Three new PRIDE in Public Education TV ads will begin airing on Dec. 12, featuring members from the ranks of teachers and Education Support Professionals (ESP).

NJEA urges caution on virtual charter schools

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 11:36:00 -0500

NJEA Secretary-Treasurer Marie Blistan testified before the Joint Committee on Public Education recently, urging legislators to carefully consider the consequences of virtual schools before allowing the Department of Education to impose them on New Jersey.

Somerdale Educator Receives $2,000 Grant

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 10:20:00 -0500

Sharon Galt, a high school Spanish teacher of Sterling High School in Somerdale, New Jersey, has received a $2,000 Learning and Leadership Grant from the NEA Foundation to support and sustain an interdisciplinary unit on human rights by travelling to Argentina to research the impact of two major events of the twentieth century: the Holocaust and the Dirty War.

MTEA adopts Bay Head school

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 11:22:00 -0500

Bay Head Elementary School suffered significant damage and loss, as did so many of the school’s students and their families. Superstorm Sandy flooded the first floor of the school, and the nor'easter a week later caused a pipe to burst. As a result, the gym/cafeteria is unusable and many instructional spaces have been damaged. The Marlboro Township Education Association has "adopted" Bay Head School.

Benefit to raise funds for damaged schools

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 13:53:00 -0500

The South Jersey Band Aid is hosting a benefit to help rebuild classrooms and get children back to school up and down the Jersey shore. The benefit will be held Sunday, Dec. 16 from 4 -10 p.m. at the Renault Winery in Egg Harbor City. All proceeds are being donated to the NJEA Hurricane Sandy Back to School Fund.

Freehold Regional achieves $60K

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 15:08:00 -0500

The Freehold Regional Education Association is the first local association in New Jersey to achieve a starting salary of over $60,000.

Bus drivers evacuate islands

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 17:45:00 -0500

School bus drivers for the Toms River school district have a perspective on the approach and impact of Hurricane Sandy that few other NJEA members share. They were called into service to transport evacuees before and during the storm, and to assist in re-entry after it.

NJEA members, staff deliver school supplies to Union Beach teachers and students

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 16:57:00 -0500

When Hurricane Sandy leveled Union Beach in Monmouth County, the town’s middle school was flooded in four feet of water and debris. It may reopen prior to Christmas. But on Monday, Nov. 19, the school’s 75 teachers and 500 of its 720 students returned to classes in temporary settings in North Middletown and Keyport with supplies donated by NJEA members across the state.

NJDOE seeks teacher leaders

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 10:46:00 -0500

The NJ Department of Education is accepting applications from teachers who wish to participate as teacher leaders in a pilot program to advise the department on issues. Applications to serve on the Teacher Advisory Panel (TAP) are due on Monday, Jan. 7.

Stafford Township pulls together

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 12:33:00 -0500

While his home in Manahawkin came through the storm in good shape, Michael Dunlea, second-grade teacher at Ocean Acres Elementary School in Stafford Township and a former Ocean County Teacher of the Year, knew that many of his colleagues, students, and neighbors were not so lucky. He turned to Facebook in search of others who wanted to pitch in.

Help is arriving for Union Beach teachers and students

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 13:29:00 -0500

When Hurricane Sandy leveled Union Beach in Monmouth County, the town’s middle school was flooded in four feet of water and debris. But on Monday, Nov. 19, the school’s 75 teachers and 500 of its 720 students will return to classes in temporary settings in North Middletown and Keyport with supplies donated by NJEA members across the state.