Chelsea Collins and Scott Oswald named to lead JerseyCAN’s Fellowships

Joining Dr. Collins in leading the two Fellowships is 14-year veteran superintendent of the Collingswood and Oaklyn School Districts, Dr. Scott Oswald. Dr. Oswald currently serves as a consultant for NJ Tutoring Corps and an Adjunct Faculty member at Rowan University and Stockton University. Dr. Oswald also works with a2z Equity Coaching, coaching school staffs and leaders in multiple New Jersey school districts around issues of equity, and works with the Rowan School Regionalization Institute to study the potential regionalization of school districts throughout New Jersey.

JerseyCAN is currently accepting teacher and parent candidates for both Fellowships’ 2024-2025 cohorts. Preference will be given to applicants who apply before September 9, 2024. Information on how to apply is showcased in this press release. Additional information about these fellowships, including the application, can be found here.

“Chelsea has served in various capacities at JerseyCAN and as an education advisor to many across the state. We are thrilled that Chelsea and Scott’s leadership, insights, and vision will now serve our two great Fellowship programs,” stated JerseyCAN Executive Director Paula White. “JerseyCAN launched the NJ Teacher Leader Policy and Parent Champions for Strong Schools Fellowships to build cohorts of education advocates to strengthen the voices of parents and teachers throughout the Garden State and ultimately train the next generation of education policy leaders. Through the years, JerseyCAN’s two Fellowships have become incubators for change and have evolved into something special and needed in New Jersey. As seen in the halls of the State Capitol and on the local level, parents and teachers are engaging with their state’s leaders to offer their insights, leadership and perspectives on decisions being made in education. The success of JerseyCAN’s fellowship programs has already been evident as our Fellows have become influencers in drafting policy with elected leaders and have helped lead initiatives in their school districts and communities to build needed, positive change. With Chelsea and Scott’s leadership, we are investing in the growth of our Fellowships, and there is no better partnership to drive these programs into the future.”

“Having been involved in JerseyCAN’s Fellowships from the beginning, I know firsthand the impact and opportunity this investment has provided the state,” stated Dr. Collins. “JerseyCAN’s Fellowships have become an ideal platform for bringing together teachers and parents who are passionate about improving outcomes for NJ students and providing them with the tools they need to advocate at the local and state levels successfully. The insights of teachers and families must inform our state and local policy discussions, so seeing them leverage the experiences and skills gained in the Fellowships to impact legislation and policy development has been gratifying. I look forward to working with this Fall’s cohorts and further growing and developing the Fellowship participation and impact throughout the state.”

“Teachers and families are the number one advocates for our young people. JerseyCAN’s Fellowships provide the opportunity to influence and provide needed input around educational decisions. We are training the next generation of education leaders and building a community of teachers and parents who are uniting to advocate for the best possible outcomes for our students,” stated Dr. Oswald.

INFORMATION FOR POTENTIAL APPLICANTS

To apply, candidates must be open to JerseyCAN’s mission and vision; have a minimum of two years of experience teaching in New Jersey’s schools OR be the parent of a New Jersey student; commit to attending all convenings listed in the application; and develop a passion in one or more of this year’s focus areas:

a.) Ensuring high-quality, research-based literacy instruction during the early childhood years;

b.) Recruiting and retaining high-quality educators who can identify with and meet the needs of today’s students;

c.) Promoting and further developing initiatives, such as dual enrollment and virtual learning, allowing all students access to learning opportunities that they may otherwise be denied.

JerseyCAN is currently accepting teacher and parent candidates for both Fellowships. Preference will be given to applicants who apply before September 9, 2024. Information and further background, including the application, can be found here.

Each Fellowship was developed and custom-designed to ensure teachers and parents have more significant influence over education policy in New Jersey. As a non-profit that has successfully written and influenced education policy in New Jersey since 2013, JerseyCAN is positioned to mentor both parties so they can gain a deeper perspective of New Jersey’s education systems while building relationships with key elected officials and networking with others who share a deep passion in advocating for stronger student outcomes. In addition to engaging in high-quality professional learning and development opportunities, Fellows receive a $2,500 stipend for their commitment to this work.

JerseyCAN’s Teacher Leader Policy Fellowship is a year-long statewide program for selected New Jersey teachers to engage in education policy and advocacy. Teacher leadership keeps our strongest teachers in classrooms, where they are best positioned to positively impact student outcomes. JerseyCAN believes that teachers who influence education policy and practice while simultaneously teaching students are one of the greatest assets to our education system. Over one year, New Jersey Teacher Leader Policy Fellowship Participants (Fellows) come together to discuss the latest policy trends and issues in New Jersey education. In addition to gaining a deeper understanding of the state’s education policy landscape and expanding their knowledge of local, state, and national governance, the Fellowship allows the selected teachers to network with elected leaders and influential educational stakeholders and build strong engagement and advocacy skills. As part of the Fellowship, each teacher conceptualizes and leads a personal project representing a policy issue related to their passions and interests.

JerseyCAN’s Parent Champions for Strong Schools Fellowship provides comprehensive training to parents from across the state to become strong advocates in their local communities and gain a deeper understanding of policy creation. Robust parent advocacy to promote ambitious, healthy education policies and practices benefit children throughout the state. JerseyCAN believes parents are the most influential advocates for our young people, and empowering them to be involved in educational decisions brings the best possible outcomes for our students. The Fellowship leverages JerseyCAN’s strong relationships with elected officials and policymakers in Trenton to help bridge deeper communication with parents. Each Parent Fellow engages in activities that improve students’ educational opportunities and outcomes in New Jersey. During this Fellowship, the parents will strengthen their organizing and communication skills and develop a deeper understanding of education policy. As part of the program, The Parent Champions Fellows are guided to build and create their own advocacy initiative at the state or local level.

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Contact: Matthew Frankel, MDF Strategies, (917) 617-7914, Matthew@MDFStrategies.com

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