AFTNJ President Donna M. Chiera met virtually with New Jersey Department of Education Acting Commissioner Kevin Dehmer on Feb. 13, one day after he officially assumed the post.
Topics of discussion included school funding, early childhood education, career and technical education (CTE), and the teacher shortage. Chiera stressed that the educators she represents are among the best in the state and deserve to have their voices heard and respected. She added that AFTNJ and its PreK-12 leaders statewide need to have the opportunity to hear directly from the N.J. DOE about initiatives and programs, while also allowing them to have input.
Dehmer “said all the right things” during the 30-minute meeting, Chiera said afterward. Within hours of their introductory session, he notified her of monthly meetings on the books with AFTNJ PreK-12 leadership from March through June.