Who We Are
The NJEA ACCESS model was created as a support system for schools designated as Priority and Focus Schools under the No Child Left Behind Act. Our program was named after the NEA initiative created to highlight that schools in need of improvement are a priority to our organization. The NJEA Priority Schools Initiative has been transformed to the NJEA ACCESS Model, a community collective for equitable and sustainable schools.
What We Do
The NJEA ACCESS model provides professional development to schools through shared leadership by analyzing data and setting goals in a collaborative environment. Once administrators and staff create a Leadership Team with a diverse representation of teachers, NJEA consultants help the school meet their school achievement goals. We are a union-based support program for teachers and schools. We are not a state or district accountability program.
A.C.C.E.S.S. Programs in Schools
It’s raining books in Trenton
NJEA ACCESS celebrates READ Across America in Trenton Last month Danele Still, NJEA ACCESS consultant, organized a book delivery from BookSmiles. The books were delivered to the seven Trenton schools
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School hosts restorative practices training
In January 2024, NJEA ACCESS Consultant Dena Grushkin worked with Naeem Muse, social and emotional learning specialist at Trenton’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School to create and deliver a
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NJEA ACCES supports holiday book giveaway at Trenton’s Washington School
The NJEA ACCESS program supported a holiday book giveaway at Trenton’s Washington Elementary School on Dec. 19. NJEA ACCESS Consultant Danele Still worked with the school’s parent liaison, Louise Herrera,
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NJEA ACCESSS works with Trenton EA to support local families
In mid-December 2023, the NJEA ACCESS team worked with the Trenton Education Association to provide holiday gifts for Trenton families in need. Twelve families were provided with gifts to distribute
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ACCESS Supports teachers and staff in Camden
More than 40 educators attended a mini-Hope and Healing session at the Camden Education Association office in Voorhees on Dec. 14. Small groups of educators rotated through sessions led by
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NJEA ACCESS holds circles at Trenton’s Holland Middle School
Through the NJEA ACCESS program, consultants work with educators to develop skills and instill practices to create optimal learning environments. In December, ACCESS hosted meeting circles at Trenton’s Holland Middle
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ACCESS Supports Trenton Community Monument Intermediate School
In November, NJEA ACCESS consultant Katherine Clark worked with the staff at Trenton Community Monument School. Clark regularly works to support Special Education teacher, Glynis Spencer. Spencer became an educator
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Healing Circle at Camden’s Yorkship Elementary School
Healing Circles can be wonderful tools to help build community and provide support for others. NJEA ACCESS consultant Carolyn L. Corbi, M.A. recently conducted a Healing Circle at Yorkshop Elementary
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Parent workshop at Camden Community Riletta T. Cream Elementary School supports students, parents
The NJEA ACCESS Model provided support for the Camden Community Riletta T. Cream Elementary School by assisting them with hosting a parent workshop on attendance and other topics. The workshop
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NJEA hosts ACCESS Hope & Healing Conference
NJEA hosted the ACCESS Hope & Healing Conference on Oct. 21 at the Princeton Marriott at Forrestal. The conference was led by Alisha De Lorenzo and Tyrone K. Laws. ACCESS
Read MoreWhat Can Schools Expect From Us?
One consultant will be assigned to each building. They will plan school visits: year one, (8) times a month; year two, (6) times a month; year three, (4) times a month;
- Support in developing a common language about planning, classroom instruction assessment and healing centered engagement.;
- Teacher Leadership development;
- Resources: assistance in writing grants, book donations, community connections;
- Assistance with engaging parents;
- Facilitating PLCs and workshops, major models of job-embedded PD;
- School-wide support in maintaining a relationship between the teachers, administrators and the local union; and
- Statewide conferences with expert speakers on a variety of topics.
What Do We Expect From the Schools?
- A commitment from administrators and teachers to engage as active learners during the five-year program;
- A commitment from administrators and teachers to improve the learning culture in your school to lead to results-driven professional learning;
- Development and sustained support of a leadership team;
- Goal-setting three goals based on student, staff and parent needs;
- Acceptance of our consultant as a facilitator of professional development;
- Time for PLCs to meet during the school day around topics based on school goals; and
- Attendance/participation at the August program orientation and at least two other Saturday conferences offered by the program.
Contact Us
For questions about A.C.C.E.S.S., contact Amanda Adams or Kimeisha Boyd below.