By Christy Kanaby
In early May, the inaugural class of NJEA’s New Presidents Academy (NPA) held its commencement ceremony, marking a new chapter for leaders from around the state who participated. Developed and facilitated by veteran NJEA staff throughout the organization, many of whom were local presidents themselves, the academy is a yearlong, intensive program designed to give new presidents the knowledge and training they need to develop the skills necessary to succeed.
NPA is designed to be an extension of the popular workshop, “Now That I’m President, What Do I Do?” (NTIP), offered each year at the NJEA Jack Bertolino Summer Leadership Conference (SLC). Despite being held over the course of three days—with a second overnight workshop in early fall—presidents expressed a desire for additional time to cover topics in more depth and explore new topics to better address their needs.
The NJEA Leadership Committee, a committee of members charged with overseeing the planning of SLC, as well as assessing training needs and developing and initiating leadership training opportunities of NJEA affiliates and leaders, discussed ways to expand the SLC new presidents’ training.
“When the concerns were raised last year, the committee was overwhelmingly enthusiastic about exploring ways to expand the training for new presidents,” said Michael Saffran, Leadership Committee staff contact. “The idea began with the committee, and, from there, the staff team developed the yearlong program and launched the academy.”
The academy was offered to the more than 60 new presidents who attended the 2024 NTIP training. Within the first few months, it was clear that the academy was making a difference for many of them.
“When I first became union president, I felt completely lost,” stated Luz Koenig, president of the Hackensack Association of Office Professionals. “I was nervous—truthfully, I was scared—and I didn’t know where to turn. But this academy was exactly what I didn’t know I needed.”
Academy participants can attend trainings on a variety of topics, including navigating school law, managing local finances, handling member-to-member conflict, dealing with nonrenewals, understanding your Myers-Briggs personality assessment and much more.
“I found the training to be informative, relative, engaging and beneficial in so many ways,” Jackson Education Association President Joseph Lux said. “Not to mention a warehouse of resources and new friends I have met over the course of this year.”
The academy again will be offered to any new presidents who register for the NTIP workshop this year, and full details—including training dates and costs—will be available. Participation in the academy is optional, but attendees are urged to commit to the entire program to fully develop their leadership skills.
“The NPA was such an empowering initiative that benefits our members and leaders,” declared Manalapan-Englishtown Education Association President Liz Ruppel. “I know that I’m now ready to lead my district thanks to the wisdom and information shared throughout the year.”
Christy Kanaby is an associate director in the NJEA Communications Division.