NJASA's eNewsletter Volume 22 | April 23, 2025

The Source at NJASA

NJASA and NJPSA’s Annual Spring Leadership Conference

Designed Specifically for New Jersey Educational Leaders

Unity … Empowering … Celebrating … Education Matters

NJASA Members

No Fee to Attend the Spring Leadership Conference

Your Membership Must be Up to Date

May 14 Opening Keynote Speaker Dr. Linda Cliatt-Wayman

Renowned Principal and Educational Leader

Dr. Linda Cliatt-Wayman will share her experience and unwavering belief in the potential of all children and explain her practices for transforming children. She grew up in North Philadelphia and encountered first-hand the educational injustice perpetrated against students living in poverty. She has dedicated her life to helping students escape poverty through education and her leadership and student successes earned much notoriety.

May 15 Opening Keynote Speaker Ali Stroker

Trailblazing Actress, Singer, and Author

In 2015, Ali made history as the first actor to appear in a wheelchair on Broadway in Deaf West’s acclaimed revival of Spring Awakening as well as in her Tony Award-winning actress role as ‘Ado Annie’ in the 2019 revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! Ali is an accomplished actress and in-demand performer. Ali is the proud author of middle grade novels, The Chance to Fly and Cut Loose (Abrams Books), and children’s book, Ali and the Sea Stars (HarperCollins).

Joining Ali on Thursday is Coach Jim Stroker, a dynamic educator, coach, motivational speaker with over 36 years of transforming lives through wellness and resilience and Ali’s very proud father. At Ridgewood High School in New Jersey, Coach Jim pioneered an award-winning wellness program, seamlessly integrating yoga, meditation, and mindfulness into both academic and athletic settings. As a varsity basketball coach for 18 years, and a mentor in football and baseball, his innovative approaches earned him induction into the New Jersey Coaches Hall of Fame.

May 16 General Session: We Didn't Go to School for This

As educational leaders, we face numerous daily and unexpected challenges. This session will prepare you to navigate those situations and provide unique solutions to address "I didn't go to school for this" type of scenarios.

NJASA Past President Dr. Scott Rocco

Chief Education Officer

Hamilton Township Public Schools

Mercer County

NJASA Secretary Dr. David Aderhold

Chief Education Officer

West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District

Schedule-at-a-Glance Workshops

Travel Waiver Approval Letter Hotel Information

Join NJASA on May 5 for Session 6 Personnel

Zoom Format 9:15 - 11am

All Active NJASA Members Can Attend the Program at No Cost

Nonrenewals: Procedures and Pitfalls

•The Role and Authority of the Superintendent of Schools

•Categories of School Staff Who May Be Subject to Nonrenewal

•Procedures and Timelines for Nonrenewals

•Employee Rights to Challenge a Nonrenewal

Presenters:

Alicia D’Anella, Esq., Gorman, D’Anella & Morlok

Andrew Babiak, Esq., NJASA Assistant Counsel

Executive Administrative Assistants: Date Change -

April 30 Program Will Now Be In-Person on June 4

The last session of the 2024-2025 school year will be an in-person event at Kean University, Green Lane Academic Building, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ.

Session time runs from 9:00am-12:00pm. More details will be available closer to the date.

Sorry for the inconvenience and we hope you can still attend the session on this new date and in-person. If you need to cancel, please email Kathy Zega, NJASA Professional Development Secretary.

ICYMI - Updating the NJASA Advisory Network

In 2023, NJASA created the NJASA Advisory Network as a platform for members to connect with other members.

This network of successful, experienced superintendents and other central office leaders offers support to peers by answering inquiries about common challenges of school and district operations.

NJASA is looking to enhance and expand the network and is asking your assistance in completing a short survey reporting your extraordinary experiences from a predetermined checklist.

The survey will remain open through April 30, 2025. Active NJASA members will then be given access to the spreadsheet searchable by task/topic.

To complete the brief survey, click here.

Thank you for your interest and commitment to support NJASA Members!

Please email Frank Borelli, Director of Professional Development; Judy Rattner, Director of Special Projects; or Dr. Mark Stanwood, Director NJ School Administrator Residency Program; with any questions.

NJASA, 920 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08618; 609.599.2900, njasa.net