In many ways, the 2026 NJEA Professional Development and Instructional Issues (PDII) Transform Conference is a microcosm of NJEA’s values: a single day, intentionally crafted to honor professional learning and diversity, uplifting member voice in solidarity while paving the way for the next generation of educators. The conference, being held on April 25 in Princeton, will be one of the many ways NJEA is leading the way to help our members meet the moment. We believe that the way to transform society for the better is to help build a solid public education system that meets the needs of every learner and know that professional learning for educators is crucial to this effort. We hope you can join us!
While researching our keynote speaker, award-winning author Jason Reynolds, I learned he refers to his adaptation of Ibram X. Kendi’s book Stamped as a “remix.” This framing inspired me to theme our conference around the concept of the remix: the idea that a new, fresh and relevant creation can emerge through reshaping and rearranging existing ideas and concepts. Transform will include 14 incredible breakout sessions, each representing a new vision and perspective to inspire and energize.
This year at Transform, we’re fully integrating New Jersey Aspiring Educators Association (NJAEA) members into the day. Whereas in prior years NJAEA members participated in workshops with their peers, this year the NJAEA members will be in the mix throughout. Providing aspiring educators the chance to learn alongside veteran educators will allow for cross-pollination of great ideas and, perhaps, present networking opportunities for those currently searching for their first job.
In planning Transform, we’ve been intentional about ensuring it reflects the purpose, mission and vision of NJEA as set forth in the organization’s newly adopted strategic plan, including its foundations of advocacy.
Membership
This conference is built around fostering community among our members and fully integrating aspiring educators, who are the next generation of NJEA members, into the event. To embed members’ voices meaningfully, we implemented a new process to gather feedback from our NJEA Equity Alliance partners, then utilized that data to inform our workshop selections.
Labor rights
We consciously emphasize educator mental health by including wellness elements throughout the day, and our partnership with BookSmiles to distribute free books affirms our commitment to academic freedom. In uplifting member presenters and amplifying their voices, rather than hiring outside organizations to provide content, we show a commitment to the concept that there is “a leader in every seat” in New Jersey’s public schools.
Solidarity and justice
The conference strengthens communities by fostering diversity, equity and inclusion as well as accessibility and intersectionality. We built this value into every aspect of the conference, intentionally selecting an assortment of workshops that would appeal to a variety of members, including ESPs and aspiring educators, representing a broad range of themes. We’re also proud to integrate representatives of our PDII programs, including ACCESS, the NJEA Teacher Leader Academy and the NJEA Consortium, as well as the NJEA Justice and Equity Fellowship, into our slate of presenters. There is truly something for everyone.
As always, the PDII division remains committed to upholding the values of our organization and continually realigning our work to meet the needs of our members in every corner of the state. We hope you’ll join us at Transform in April and again for the Impact Conference in July where we will welcome our keynote speaker Temple Grandin.
For more information on the conference, please visit njea.org/transform.
