Current NJEA Vice President Steve Beatty has been elected to serve as the next president of the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), starting September 1, 2025. Petal Robertson, currently serving as Secretary-Treasurer, will assume the role of vice president at the same time. Both will serve two-year terms and may seek re-election in 2027. Sean Spiller, the current NJEA President, will continue his term until August 31, 2025.
The position of secretary-treasurer is open for election with four candidates: Denise King from Monmouth County, Tina Dare from Gloucester County, James Frazier from Union County, and Henry Goodhue from Somerset County. These candidates have filed petitions certified by the NJEA Elections Committee. The election for this position will be conducted by mail between April 1-15, 2025, allowing all NJEA members to participate.
Beatty expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him by NJEA members and reflected on his tenure since taking office as secretary-treasurer in 2017 before becoming vice president in 2021. “It has been an incredible honor to serve for more than seven years as secretary-treasurer and now vice president of NJEA. I’m proud of what we have accomplished as a union and of the work we are doing right now to secure our future and strengthen our profession," he stated.
Robertson is set to become the first Black woman to hold the position of vice president at NJEA. She acknowledged her appreciation for continuing her service as an officer: “The past three years have shown me what NJEA members are capable of when we use our voices and step strongly into our power."
Spiller, who is running for governor of New Jersey, congratulated Beatty and Robertson on their new roles: “I’m happy for Steve and Petal, but even more than that I’m happy to know that NJEA will be in great hands under their leadership."
