That teaching is an excellent career choice was the message of an Oct. 22 conference at Stockton University for high school students considering a career in education. Organized by the university’s School of Education, students from high schools across South Jersey from Burlington to Cape May counties participated.
Dr. Stacey Culleny, who serves as the adviser to Stockton’s chapter of the New Jersey Aspiring Educators Association (NJAEA), invited NJEA staff to present one of the four workshops that students cycled through over the course of the day. NJEA also provided lunch for students and presenters at the conclusion of the event.
“What we want you to take away from today is that you see the teaching profession as something that is valued, something that is a privilege and that it’s not just a job,” Culleny told the students. “And even if you decide not to pursue a career in education that you value it and you value the people who do choose that career.”
Every generation renews the profession
Atlantic County Teacher of the Year Christa Delaney, a science teacher at Egg Harbor Township High School, delivered the keynote address. She led off by telling the hundreds of high school students in the audience that the education profession constantly renews itself because of what new teachers bring with them. She said new teachers inspire her, especially because they are willing to question the way things have always been done.
“As every generation [of new teachers] comes in, you bring a whole new set of experiences with you,” she said. “That’s why we need you to continue along this path. We need your creativity. We need your ideas. We need your perspectives. We need teachers who reflect the diversity of their students. We need teachers who understand the power of empathy. We need teachers who can adapt, lead and inspire.”
She did not sugarcoat the challenges that educators face: lessons that flop, students who struggle to grasp a concept, the effort to maintain a work-life balance and more.
“But there’s the other side of that truth,” Delaney said. “The rewards are immeasurable. You will collect stories, memories and relationships that stay with you. And your students will remember you long after you’ve left the classroom.”
She reminded the future teachers in the audience that students won’t remember all the behind-the-scenes work that teachers do, but they will remember the experiences educators provide.
“If you ever want to make a difference, if you ever want to do work that matters every single day, teaching offers you that opportunity,” she concluded. “I can promise you with my whole heart that teaching is worth it.”
Benefits of teaching
While Delaney inspired students with a message of why teaching is a great career, NJEA staff members Eda Ferrante and Stephanie Tarr presented students with the practical aspects of how educators can make a living working in New Jersey’s public schools. The state’s average salaries—and significant for future teachers, average starting salaries—are among the highest in the nation. They discussed health benefits, defined-benefit pensions, the school calendar, professional growth and the many benefits and protections found in a collective bargaining agreement in a state with strong union protections.
Ferrante and Tarr built upon Delaney’s message, noting that “teaching in New Jersey is a career that rewards your passion and changes lives.” They also shared the role NJEA plays in supporting educators and encouraged students to join NJAEA when they ultimately reach a college campus.
In another workshop, current Stockton University School of Education students shared their experiences as students preparing to become teachers. In yet another, Lenape High School Principal Tony Cattani, Lenape teachers Christina Colangelo and Arianna Robinette, Lenape school counselors Claudia Wolf and Shannon Conte, and Lenape students Izzy Dickerson, Lindsey Doyle, Christian O’Neill and Dylan Wilson focused on the impact educators make through supporting students academically, socially and emotionally. Finally, another set of Stockton University students led the high school students on an abbreviated campus tour.
Future Educator course teachers and club advisers
We want to hear from you!
The New Jersey Future Educators Association (NJFEA) is now part of NJEA as the association expands a statewide program for high school students interested in exploring careers in education.
NJFEA would love input and support from NJEA members who either advise future educator clubs or teach courses for future educators.
NJFEA will host a focus group dinner the Friday of each upcoming NJEA Winter Leadership Conference (WLC) to hear your thoughts, learn what your students who are potential future educators need, and understand how we can best support the educators guiding them. You need not otherwise be attending the WLC to attend the dinner.
Winter Leadership (WLC) dinner dates and locations are below. The dinner will not necessarily be held in the same hotel as the conference, but at a restaurant nearby. The dates and locations of the conferences are:
- South: Jan. 30, 2026 (Atlantic City)
- North: Feb. 20, 2026 (Parsippany)
- Central: March 6, 2026 (Somerset)
Scan this QR code for a brief survey and to indicate your interest in attending the dinner. Even if you choose not to attend the dinner, please complete the survey. Contact NJFEA at futureeducators@njea.org for more information.