In May, the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) celebrated the first graduating class of its New Presidents Academy (NPA). This yearlong program aims to equip new presidents with essential skills and knowledge. Developed by experienced NJEA staff, many of whom have served as local presidents, the academy extends the workshop “Now That I’m President, What Do I Do?” offered at the NJEA Jack Bertolino Summer Leadership Conference.
The NJEA Leadership Committee, responsible for planning the conference and assessing training needs, initiated discussions on expanding training for new presidents. Michael Saffran, Leadership Committee staff contact, stated that there was strong support for enhancing training opportunities. “When the concerns were raised last year, the committee was overwhelmingly enthusiastic about exploring ways to expand the training for new presidents,” he said.
More than 60 new presidents who attended the 2024 NTIP training were invited to join the academy. Luz Koenig from Hackensack Association of Office Professionals expressed her gratitude: “When I first became union president, I felt completely lost… But this academy was exactly what I didn’t know I needed.”
Participants received training on various topics such as school law, finance management, conflict resolution, and personality assessments. Joseph Lux from Jackson Education Association found it beneficial: “I found the training to be informative, relative, engaging and beneficial in so many ways.”
The NPA will be available again to those registering for this year’s NTIP workshop. Participation is optional but recommended for developing leadership skills fully. Liz Ruppel from Manalapan-Englishtown Education Association highlighted its impact: “The NPA was such an empowering initiative that benefits our members and leaders.”
Christy Kanaby is an associate director in the NJEA Communications Division.
