NJASA members are educational leaders who work in partnership with constituents to make an essential difference in the lives of children.

At the state level, NJASA leaders collaborate with our counterparts at other influential organizations to accomplish the same goal. There are six major educational groups that represent the stakeholders in K-12 public education within New Jersey:

• New Jersey Association of School Administrators (NJASA),
• New Jersey Association of School Business Officials (NJASBO),
• New Jersey Education Association (NJEA),
• New Jersey PTA (NJPTA),
• New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association (NJPSA), and
• New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA).

The heads of these educational organizations gather throughout the year in a longstanding coalition titled the New Jersey Leadership for Educational Excellence (LEE). NJASA serves as the host organization for the group during the current school year where the leaders gather at NJASA headquarters to offer the benefit of their expertise and the perspective of their constituents on educational issues to the New Jersey Department of Education, the New Jersey Legislature, and the Office of the Governor.

On November 2nd, on behalf of the the LEE organization, I welcomed New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy to the LEE meeting. The focus of the meeting was how the LEE can work collaboratively with the Governor to improve educational outcomes for students and to maintain New Jersey’s status as the number one ranked state system of education in the nation.

The LEE members lauded the Governor’s commitment to public education throughout his tenure but noted that challenges remain to be addressed during the final years of his term.  We highlighted the following as among the most pressing:

●          School Funding

●          Student Safety and School Security

●          Staff Recruitment and Retention

 ●         Standardized Testing

●          Student Mental Health Issues

We emphasized during the dialogue with the Governor that we are individuals with deep and meaningful experience in education providing an unmatched source for information and input in the development of educational policy. An example of LEE’s influence acknowledged at the meeting was the Governor’s recommended changes to the bill regarding Performance-Based Assessment requirements for teacher candidates. The Governor conditionally vetoed S896 noting: “I wholeheartedly agree that the current edTPA requirement for teaching candidates is counterproductive and should be eliminated, but also believe that other types of performance-based assessments can ensure that teaching candidates are ready to enter the classroom. My recommended changes, which come after months of productive discussions with stakeholders, allow educator preparation programs to select the performance-based assessment that best suits the needs of their students.”

Meeting on a regular basis, the LEE group is committed to working in the best interests of our students and the entire school community -- For the Good of the Cause.

You acquire many benefits as a member of the premier professional association of New Jersey school leaders, including:

• Programs Supporting Your Professional Growth;
• Advocacy for Public Education with Government Officials;
• Legal Support;
• Mentoring and Development Activities Leading to Certification;
• Networking Sessions for District Leaders;
• Focused Programming for Women Leaders;
• Opportunities for Committee Participation Addressing:
  

o Curriculum & Instruction
o Government Relations
o Leadership Diversity
o Membership Services
o Professional Development Programs;
o Small Schools & Shared Services
o Special Education
o Spring Leadership Conference
o Technology in Schools
o Women in Leadership

• Career Opportunity Information;
• Interim Administrator Position Availability;
• Access to a Database of School Consolidation and Regionalization Studies; and
• Up-to-the-Minute Information on Laws, Regulations, and Events Influencing Your Work.

A significant benefit has been added this year for all Active Regular Members — Paid Registration for the Spring Leadership Conference. This year’s conference focus is The Balancing Act:  Connecting Life, Leadership and Wellness. It is co-sponsored with the New Jersey Association of Pupil Services Administrators. The dates are May 18, 19, & 20 and the venue is Harrah’s Waterfront Conference Center in Atlantic City. We again are gathering for this great event in a fabulous conference setting. The Commissioner of Education has waived state limitations for reimbursement, allowing attendees traveling more than 50 miles to the conference to receive support for lodging and meals from their employer. Please take advantage of your NJASA membership and join me to hear exciting keynote speakers, learn from colleagues’ experience and best practices, investigate new products and services supporting your work, and network with colleagues! Don’t ignore your personal needs for professional growth. Balance your life better – connect life, leadership and wellness at the NJASA/NJAPSA Spring Leadership Conference. I look forward to seeing you soon at Harrah’s Conference Center!

At NJASA, the children you educate and the members we serve are at the center of everything we do. NJASA is here to advocate for New Jersey students and to serve, support, and advise NJASA members so you can make the greatest positive impact on your community through your work.

As 2021 becomes a part of history, we reflect on the past year while looking forward to the months ahead. 2021 was a transformational year. The world was changing right before our eyes. There were numerous and significant challenges to overcome, as well as accomplishments to celebrate. As the last school year concluded, we were so hopeful that we could all return to a more normal way of life by the opening of schools in September. Our hope turned to frustration as the spread of Covid-19 infections increased to near record highs as 2021 concluded.

2022 promises thus far to be an equally eventful year filled with a continuing host of challenges and a need to adapt to everchanging conditions. We must anticipate that Covid-19 will be part of our lives for a long while. As district leaders, each day you address staffing vacancies and their negative impact on operations and student instruction. You face the continuing burdens of contact tracing, Covid-19 testing, and immunization programs that also redirect staff efforts from student learning and support. The divergent views held by staff, students, and community members on health safety measures complicate this work incredibly. There never seems to be an easy, correct, or universally accepted answer to the actions that our members take each day.

The NJASA officers, staff, and I are deeply grateful for what you do, and we devote our work to support your efforts. The NJASA mission statement references the importance of this work, ...maximize the capacity and effectiveness of school leaders through professional development and support. And one of our underpinning beliefs is that “NJASA members are leadership development professionals who facilitate professional growth and empowerment of others.”  At the heart of our Association is the strength and dedication of our members who choose to associate with each other for the fundamental purpose of improving the lives of the students we educate and the communities we serve. 

The NJASA leadership gratefully acknowledges the generosity of our members who have offered their time, knowledge, expertise, experience, and insights over this past year to serve as officers, committee members, mentors, and presenters for our professional learning experiences. We are most appreciative of your support and, more than ever, look forward to connecting with you in the year to come! As the adage notes: Many hands make light work!

Rest assured that every member of the NJASA staff remains committed to supporting your work! We wish you and your family good health and happiness throughout the New Year!