NJASA

NJASA / NJAPSA SPRING LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Lifting Leadership...Knowledge, Relationships and Empowerment

CAESARS ATLANTIC CITY

MAY 17-19, 2023

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Wednesday, May 17, 2023 - Keynote Speaker:  David Flink

As Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer of Eye to Eye, David Flink is an author and social movement leader on the front lines of the learning rights movement. He imagines a world where one day all learners will be seen, heard and valued. David founded Eye to Eye at Brown University where he received bachelors’ degrees with honors in both education and psychology. David also holds a master's degree in disability studies in education from Columbia University. Most recently, David was named a Top 10  2021 CNN Hero for his work to support students with learning disabilities.

Thursday, May 18, 2023 - Keynote Speakers:  Dr. Salome Thomas-EL, joined by Dr. Joseph Jones & Dr. T.J. Vari

Dr. Salome Thomas-EL​ has been a teacher and principal in Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE since 1987. He is currently the Head of School at Thomas Edison Public Charter School in Wilmington, DE. Thomas-EL received national acclaim as a teacher and chess coach at Vaux Middle School, where his students have gone on to win world recognition as Eight-Time National Chess Champions. Principal EL was a regular contributor on “The Dr. Oz Show” and the author of the best-selling books, ​I Choose to Stay ​and ​The Immortality of Influence (Foreword by Will Smith). ​The Walt Disney Company optioned the movie rights to ​I Choose to Stay. ​Thomas-EL speaks to groups across the country and frequently appears on C-SPAN, CNN, and NPR Radio. He has received the Marcus A. Foster Award as the outstanding School District Administrator in Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania’s distinguished Martin Luther King Award. Reader’s Digest Magazine recognized Principal EL as an “Inspiring American Icon” and he has appeared on GMA and Oprah Radio! And, with Joseph Jones and T.J. Vari, he co-authored Passionate Leadership: Creating a Culture of Success in Every School, Building a Winning Team: The Power of a Magnetic Reputation and the Need to Recruit Top Talent in Every School, and Retention for a Change: Motivate, Inspire, and Energize Your School Culture.

Dr. Joseph Jones​ is the Superintendent of the New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District in Delaware. Joe is a former high school social studies teacher, assistant principal, and principal. As principal, he was named the Delaware Secondary Principal of the Year and during his tenure, Delcastle Technical High School was the first high school to receive the state’s Outstanding Academic Achievement Award. He received his doctorate from the University of Delaware in educational leadership and was awarded the outstanding doctoral student award of his class. Currently, Joe works closely with local and state leaders on student achievement and accountability and has spearheaded an aggressive and successful campaign to ensure student success. Joe is also an adjunct professor, teaching and designing curriculum, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels for various universities. He presents nationally on topics of school leadership and is the co-founder of the leadership development institute, TheSchoolHouse302. Along with T.J. Vari, he co-authored Candid and Compassionate Feedback: Transforming Everyday Practice in Schools. And, with Salome Thomas-EL and T.J. Vari, he co-authored Passionate Leadership: Creating a Culture of Success in Every School, Building a Winning Team: The Power of a Magnetic Reputation and the Need to Recruit Top Talent in Every School, Retention for a Change: Motivate, Inspire, and Energize Your School Culture, and 7 Mindshifts for School Leaders: Finding New Ways to Think About Old Problems.

Dr. T.J. Vari ​is the Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools and District Operations in the Appoquinimink School District in Delaware. He is a former middle school assistant principal and principal and former high school English teacher and department chair. His master’s degree is in School Leadership and his doctorate is in Innovation and Leadership where he accepted an Award for Academic Excellence given to one doctoral student per graduating class. He holds several honors and distinctions, including his past appointment as President of the Delaware Association for School Administrators, his work with the Delaware Association for School Principals, and the honor in accepting the Paul Carlson Administrator of the Year Award. His efforts span beyond the K-12 arena into higher education where he holds adjunct appointments, teaching courses at the masters and doctoral level. He is a national presenter on topics of school leadership and the co-founder of TheSchoolHouse302, a leadership development institute. Along with Joseph Jones, he co-authored Candid and Compassionate Feedback: Transforming Everyday Practice in Schools. And, with Salome Thomas-EL and Joseph Jones, he co-authored Passionate Leadership: Creating a Culture of Success in Every School, Building a Winning Team: The Power of a Magnetic Reputation and the Need to Recruit Top Talent in Every School, Retention for a Change: Motivate, Inspire, and Energize Your School Culture, and 7 Mindshifts for School Leaders: Finding New Ways to Think About Old Problems.

Friday, May 19, 2023 - General Session

School Safety and Security - Exploring Critical Needs and Effective Practices for New Jersey School Leaders (A Panel Discussion)

Facilitated by:

• Dr. MaryJane Garibay, Superintendent-Colts Neck Township
• Dr. Charles Sampson, Superintendent-Freehold Regional H.S.

       (Co-Chairs of the NJASA School Security and Student Safety Ad Hoc Committee)

Panelists:

• David Cittadino, Superintendent-Old Bridge
• Dr. Deborah Harvest, Assistant Superintendent-East Orange
• J. Kenyon Kummings, Superintendent-Wildwood
• Jeff Gale, Director-NJDOE Office of School Preparedness and Emergency Planning
• Dr. Thomas Gambino, NJDOE Office of School Preparedness and Emergency Planning