Fourth Annual New Jersey Convening for Diversifying the Teacher Workforce
What happens when 150 educators from preschool through post-graduate institutions get together to closely examine a vital question? Specifically, how can we address the growing differences in racial demographics between P-12 students in New Jersey schools and the educators who graduate from New Jersey colleges to teach and lead in our schools? In October of 2018, Dr. Monika Shealey, then-Dean of Rowan University’s College of Education hosted the First Annual New Jersey Convening for Diversifying the Teacher Workforce, explaining “we are here to start a movement.” According to Shealey, “We all know about the problem. This Convening was about finding the solutions.”
Since then, the New Jersey Department of Education has continuously partnered with the New Jersey Association of Colleges for Teacher Education to co-host each successive convening: at William Paterson University in 2019, and at Rutgers New Brunswick (virtual) in 2020.
Stockton University School of Education was proud to host the Fourth Annual New Jersey Convening, a three-week series of virtual presentations, panel discussions, and workshops, all aimed at Diversifying the Teacher Workforce.
All Convening activities conducted via Zoom are archived with thanks to Stockton University Information Technology Services (ITS) and Media Production Services.
Highlighted Speakers include:
October 5th Archived Recording
Tanisha Davis
Director of the New Jersey Department of Education’s Office of Recruitment, Preparation, and Certificaiton
More than 75 preschool-through-postsecondary educators gathered to hear the demographic challenges and the promising practices from our NJDOE leader and breakout to discuss each of our perspectives on those challenges and practices. We discussed ways that we can continue to work collaboratively on preventing leaks along every point of the "pipeline" from promoting positive, inclusive in-school climate and culture for educators and for students-who-may-become-educators, to the financial, policy, and logistical obstacles that candidates of color face, as well as induction, retention, and promotion to leadership roles. Most importantly, we exchanged promising strategies to overcome those obstacles that many of us have begun to pilot or have built to begin making positive changes.
October 12th Archived Recording
Brenda Brathwaite
Stockton Alumna MAED ’11, TEDU ’07, ECON ’05, Teacher, Pennsylvania Avenue School, Atlantic City
Voices from the Field: A Panel of Candidates and Completers of Color
- Karla Lopez, Senior at William Paterson University seeking triple certifications
- Nelson Echandy, Jr. Graduated Montclair State University and teaches Health & Physical Education at Academy Street Elementary in Dover, NJ
- Alay'Ziah Haraksin Graduated Stockton University and teaches sixth grade at Principle Academy Charter School in Egg Harbor Twp, NJ
After Brenda shared her own experiences and offered her expertise to schools, candidates, and preparation programs, our panelists shared their perspectives, offering many suggestions for how preparation programs and school mentors can be more inclusive in the future.
October 19th 9:00am-1:00pm - Archived Recording
Introduction and Welcome from Governor Philip Murphy and 2021 Convening Hosts, Dr. Claudine Keenan and Dr. Stacey Leftwich
Keynote Address from Dr. Rita Kohli, UC Riverside, author of Teachers of Color, Resisting Racism and Reclaiming Education
Closing Remarks from Acting Commissioner Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan and New Jersey Association of Colleges for Teacher Education President, Dr. Stacey Leftwich
Click Breakout Session Title to View Archives:
|
Michael E. Coleman, Jr. Camden City School District |
Teacher Leaders of Color Affecting Change to Diversify the Teaching Workforce Nora E. Hyland, Rutgers GSE; Allyse Hall, Neptune School District; Aquaus Kelley, New Brunswick School District; Kimberley Sharrock-Shaw, Rahway School District; & Shannon Meyers, North Brunswick School District |
Building & Sustaining from Within-Identifying, Sustaining, & Retaining a Diverse School
Workforce with Community Ties Colin Hogan, Learning Community Charter School; Michelle Rosen, New Jersey City University; Angel Melendez, Felicia Henderson, & Andrew Kimble, Learning Community Charter School |
Diversifying the Teacher Workforce as Part of a Comprehensive DEI Initiative Elizabeth Jewett, Watchung Hills Regional High School & Beth Scheiderman, Watchung Hills Regional High School |
| Cultural Competence: The Shifting Paradigm of Educational Perspective John Gray, Stockton University |
Damn I've Never Had A Black Teacher: Why Choosing Between an Authentic Black Identity
Can Conflict with Being A Teacher George Borum, Henry Johnson Charter School |
District-Wide Strategizing for Teacher & Leadership Diversity Karla Manning, Queens College, CUNY & The Equity Leadership Group LLC |
Re-Imagining Teaching, Research, and Service: The Anti-Racist Scholarly Educator Madji Fall, Kean University |
Click Breakout Session Title to View Archives:
| On the Ropes: Supporting Learning Success in Students from Marginalized Communities Gaetane Jean-Marie, Corine Brown, Stacey Leftwich & Kauser Jahan, Rowan University |
The University's Role in Supporting Schools in Diversifying the Teacher Workforce David Atunes, Rutgers GSE & Linden Public Schools; Alex Guzman, Kean University; Dan Battey & Nora Hyland, Rutgers GSE |
IMPACTing Access, Equity, and Practice Nadeen Herring, Rowan University |
Confronting Equity and Race as Educational Leaders Julie Glazer, Nutley Public Schools & Kimberly Honnick, New Jesey Director of Educational Programs |
| Grow Your Own Future: A Review of the Literature Ian Bouie, Montclair State University |
School Level Responses to Improve Educator Diversity Kenyon Kummings, Phillip Schaffer, Josepha Penrose, Wildwood Public Schools |
NJACTE Deans & Directors Discussion Bree Picower & Tanya Maloney, Montclair State University |
CJPride-Pride in Recruiting & Retention Jennifer Sharp, Freehold Regional High School District & Charity Comella, West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District |
