NJASA

NJASA/NJAPSA SPRING LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 2025

May 14-16, 2025 / Caesars, Atlantic City, NJ

"Uniting, Empowering, Celebrating: Education Matters"

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Wednesday, May 14, 2025 - Keynote Speaker:  Principal Wayman

Linda Cliatt-Wayman (Doctor of Education) is a renowned education leader with an unwavering belief in the potential of all children. She uses her decades of experience to move educational leaders from knowledge to practice in ways that are transformative for children through on-site leadership development series, convenings, and keynote addresses. She grew up in poverty in North Philadelphia, where she experienced firsthand the injustice perpetrated against poor students in their education. Cliatt-Wayman vowed to dedicate her life to helping as many children as possible to escape poverty through education. Her powerful leadership and success of her students caused people to take notice. Her acclaimed 2015 TED Talk has been viewed over two million times. She has been featured by Diane Sawyer on ABC World News Tonight and Nightline. Her book, Lead Fearlessly, Love Hard (2017), is beloved by educators. In 2016, she was named a Top 50 Finalist for the Global Teacher Prize out of over 8,000 nominees from around the world. Above all, Cliatt-Wayman said she is driven by her love for children. She ended her morning announcements to her students each day by saying, “If no one told you they loved you today, remember I do and always will.”

Thursday, May 15, 2025 - Keynote Speaker:  Ali Stroker

Ali Stroker is a trailblazing actress, singer, and author who has achieved numerous historic milestones in her career. She is a Tony Award-winning actress for her role as ‘Ado Annie’ in the 2019 revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! She made history as the first actor in a wheelchair to appear on Broadway in Deaf West’s acclaimed 2015 revival of Spring Awakening. She can be seen as a series regular on Netflix’s, “Echoes”, as well as on Hulu’s, “Only Murders in the Building." She recurred on Netflix in “Ozark” and on ABC's “Ten Days in the Valley,” and guest starred on HBO Max’s “And Just Like That…”, CBS' “Blue Bloods” and “Instinct”, Freeform's “The Bold Type,” Fox’s “Lethal Weapon,” The CW's “Charmed” and Comedy Central's “Drunk History” as well as the children shows “The Helpsters” on Apple TV and a number of episodes of “Sesame Street.” Ali starred in the summer of ’22 in Shakespeare in the Park’s Richard III as Anne. She was on “The Glee Project,” culminating in a guest role on Fox’s “Glee”, and in Lifetime's holiday movie, "Christmas Ever After.” Ali is a regular on Nickelodeon's animated series, "Big Nate,” and she plays "Daisy" on Disney’s animated "Alice's Wonderland Bakery."  Ali is the proud author of her middle grade novels, The Chance to Fly and Cut Loose (Abrams Books), and her children’s book, Ali and the Sea Stars (HarperCollins).  She can be heard on the Grammy nominated cast album of the revival of Oklahoma! the musical. These performances underscore Ali Stroker’s remarkable talent and her significant contributions to the arts, breaking barriers and inspiring audiences worldwide. Ali’s most proud roles are mommy to Jesse and wife to David!

JOINING ALI…

Coach Jim Stroker is a dynamic educator, coach, and motivational speaker who has dedicated over 36 years to transforming lives through wellness and resilience. At Ridgewood High School in New Jersey, he pioneered an award-winning wellness program, seamlessly integrating yoga, meditation, and mindfulness into both academic and athletic settings. As the varsity basketball coach for 18 years, and a mentor in football and baseball, his innovative approaches earned him induction into the New Jersey Coaches Hall of Fame. In 2018, he was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award at Ridgewood High School, recognizing his profound impact on the community. Demonstrating his commitment to student well-being, Coach Stroker created the “Inspirational Hotline,” delivering daily motivational messages to over 700 students and teachers.

A former three-sport athlete at Ridgewood High School, Coach Stroker continued his athletic journey at Jacksonville University, earning a bachelor’s degree, and later obtained a master’s degree from Springfield College. Since retiring, he has become a sought-after life coach, leadership trainer, and keynote speaker, traveling nationwide to inspire diverse audiences, including Fortune 500 companies, the Navy SEALs, numerous schools, correctional facilities, and rehabilitation centers in New York.

Beyond his professional achievements, he is a proud father of three children (Ali is one of them) and grandfather to five, continually inspiring others through his dedication to personal growth and resilience. 

Friday, May 16, 2025

General Session: We Didn't Go To School For This

As educational leaders, we face numerous daily and unexpected challenges. This session prepares you to navigate those situations and equips you with solutions for the "I didn't go to school for this" moments. Gain practical solutions for the unthinkable situations leaders constantly face throughout a school year which will help you build resilience in your journey as a leader.

Presented by:

Dr. Scott Rocco                                        Dr. David Aderhold

Superintendent, Hamilton Township        Superintendent, West Windsor-Plainsboro

NJASA Past President                             NJASA Secretary