Advocacy and professional development all summer long

Just because it’s summer, NJEA members don’t sit still. Throughout the late spring summer there were opportunities for members to advocate for the profession and to develop their professional and career skills.  

 At the NJEA Carol Watchler LGBTQIA+ Advocacy Conference in May, former NJEA presidents Michael Johnson and Joyce Powell were interviewed by NJEA SOGI Committee Chair Chris Cannella and Carol Watchler about leading NJEA as gay and lesbian persons. In June, the Members of Color Network drew a capacity crowd. NJEA President Sean Spiller announced to members nationwide his candidacy for governor of New Jersey at the NEA Representative Assembly in Philadelphia.   

 Later in July members grew their professional skills at the NJEA Impact Conference. In late July, current and aspiring local, county, and state leaders engaged weeklong advocacy training at the NJEA Summer Leadership Confernece.  

 Here are a few photos from each event. Visit flickr.com/njea/albums for more. 

Organizing Field Rep Eric Jones speaks about NJEA’s first Black president, Dr. Judith Owens at the NJEA Members of Color Empowerment Conference, held June 7-8. 
At the NEA RA in Philadelphia, NJEA President Sean M. Spiller announces to NEA members on July 4 that he is running to be the next governor of New Jersey.
Four delegates to the NEA RA from Monmouth County at the morning New Jersey caucus meeting on July 5. From left: Mary Scott, Felicia Hardman, Niurka Coy-Bush and Steve Koumoulis.
Joyful attendees at the NJEA Members of Color Empowerment Conference, held June 7-8.
Joyful attendees at the NJEA Members of Color Empowerment Conference, held June 7-8.
The members NJEA Leadership Committee were easy to find in their color-coordinated shirts at the NJEA Jack Bertolino Summer Leadership Conference, held July 27-31.
New Jersey view of the thousands of NEA members at the NEA RA in Philadelphia this July.
Cliffside Park School #3 librarian Iveth Yelegen proudly sports her New Jersey Association of School Librarians T-shirt as she greet the keynote speaker to the NJEA IMPACT Conference, Helena Donato-Sapp. The conference was held on July 17.
Delegates to the NEA RA from Camden and Gloucester counties: Laurie Gibson-Parker from Cherry Hill EA and Shereen Ducasse, Kevin Jablonowski and Qiana Stanard all from Washington Township EA.
Stacey Best, a school secretary in Montclair, shares her viewpoint at the Summer Leadership Conference workshop, “ESPs: You Are Essential. You Matter!” 
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