American Federation of Teachers New Jersey, AFL-CIO

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U.S. DOE seeks public comment on Stronger Connections FAQs

AFTNJ

Through Dec. 19, the U.S. Department of Education is seeking public comment on the draft FAQs related to the Stronger Connections grant program, which is part of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

Stronger Connections recognizes “that local evidence-based school safety and climate plans, along with other evidence-based strategies for creating safe, healthy and supportive schools, depend on meaningful engagement between school and LEA leaders and students, parents, families and community members, and strong relationships between students and adults,” reads the introduction to the draft.…

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AFTNJ News Newark News Perth Amboy Pre-K to 12 News 

Paradiso, Pereira join task force addressing N.J. teacher shortage

AFTNJ

Perth Amboy Federation President Pat Paradiso and Newark Teachers Union member Silvia Pereira will be the AFT representatives on the task force Gov. Phil Murphy established via executive order to address the teacher and support staff shortage in New Jersey’s public schools.

“AFTNJ President Donna M. Chiera recommended me for the task force, but I would have asked to be part of it had she not,” says Paradiso (above left), who is AFTNJ’s PreK-12 executive vice president.…

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AFTNJ News News Pre-K to 12 News 

Murphy establishes teacher shortage task force

AFTNJ

Gov. Phil Murphy recently signed Executive Order No. 309, which establishes a task force to address the shortage of K-12 teachers and education support professionals in New Jersey.

Dennis Zeveloff, Murphy’s chief policy adviser, has been named the chair of the task force, which will include two AFT members.

According to EO 309, all public members of the task force “shall serve without compensation,” and they will “organize as soon as practicable after the appointment of its members, and shall convene as often as practicable and as requested” by Murphy or Zeveloff.…

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Higher Ed News News Pre-K to 12 News 

Raise the Bar supports career-connected learning

AFTNJ

On Nov. 14, the U.S. Department of Education launched Raise the Bar: Unlocking Career Success, a Biden-Harris administration initiative supported by the Commerce and Labor departments designed “to strengthen the connection between K-12 education, postsecondary education and workforce programs,” according to the U.S. DOE.

“It’s time we bridge the divide between our K-12 systems and our college, career and industry preparation programs, which leave too many students behind and perpetuate inequities in our most diverse, underserved and rural communities,” said U.S.…

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News Pre-K to 12 News 

Aoki to lead TeachRock class on growth mindset

AFTNJ

DJ-producer Steve Aoki will discuss his experiences in the entertainment industry and share how he’s harnessed his creativity in the free course “Growth Mindset: Unlock Your Brain’s Neon Future,” taking place Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Created by the nonprofit educational resource TeachRock and hosted by Varsity Tutors, this 45-minute session is best suited for students in grades 5-12.…

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COVID-19 News Pre-K to 12 News 

U.S. DOE’s ‘Raising the Bar’ series continues Nov. 10

AFTNJ

In late October, the U.S. Department of Education launched its “Raising the Bar” literacy-math series to address academic recovery. Its next virtual session is set for Nov. 10 at 2 p.m.

The topic for Nov. 10 is “Best Practices and Research on Rigorous Instruction for all Students in Literacy and Mathematics,” and key features will include leveraging American Rescue Plan funding to implement literacy and math achievement best practices at scale.…

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AFTNJ News COVID-19 Higher Ed News Middlesex College News 

County’s plans for Middlesex College projects draw ire from Chiera, Local 1940’s Payne

AFTNJ

Middlesex County’s Community, Innovation, and Opportunity Strategic Investment Plan, unveiled Nov. 1 at Middlesex College in Edison, has prompted stern reactions from AFTNJ President Donna M. Chiera and Local 1940 AFT President Pat Payne.

Middlesex College President Mark McCormick joined Gov. Phil Murphy and other New Jersey leaders for the rollout of the CIO plan, which is “designed to transform and bolster Middlesex College and … meet the diverse needs of the entire community,” per a Nov.…

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News Pre-K to 12 News STEM 

Murphy expands access to STEM education

AFTNJ

Gov. Phil Murphy on Nov. 2 signed S2563, which amends the New Jersey Department of Education’s grant program for STEM teachers that he established in 2019.

Sponsored by Senate Education Committee Chair Vin Gopal, state Sen. Shirley K. Turner and others, the legislation “expands the number of educators who are eligible to provide STEM instruction at nonpublic schools in addition to their public school duties,” while also increasing compensation, according to a release from the governor’s office.…

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News Pre-K to 12 News 

Teaching materials aplenty for Native American Heritage Month

AFTNJ

November is National Native American Heritage Month, and teaching materials from myriad sources can be accessed online for free.

Among the options suitable for K-12 students are “American Indians: Primary Sources and Ready-to-Use Teaching Activities” from the National Archives and “Native Americans and the American Revolution: Choosing Sides” from the National Endowment for the Humanities.…

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AFT News News Pre-K to 12 News Share My Lesson 

New SML webinars explore games literacy and more

AFTNJ

In collaboration with the Chicago Teachers Union Foundation’s Quest Center, AFT’s Share My Lesson will present new webinars in November that are designed to spark creativity and ingenuity among students.

Those webinars are: 

• Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. ET: “More Than STEM: Minecraft As a Tool for Multidisciplinary Learning”

• Nov. 9 at 6 p.m.…

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News Pre-K to 12 News 

Take students on a NASA virtual field trip

AFTNJ

K-12 students can learn about robotic spacecraft technology and much more through virtual field trips offered by the NASA Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center in Virginia.

These virtual field trips, typically available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, involve hands-on activities and a Q&A session. They may be hosted by the visitor center on Microsoft Teams, or student groups may host the program on a virtual platform of their choice.…

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