A woman pilot, first-officer and two flight attendants marked another step in history as they served as the first all female, African- American flight crew for a Delta Airlines flight--- and what better time to do it than during Black History Month!

Under NJEA's proposed tenure system, it will take four years to earn tenure. During the four years before tenure, teachers will have more opportunities to develop and improve, and districts will have more time to make good decisions about granting tenure.

Approximately 50 members attended the workshop, "Workload Increases: Fair or Foul?" to learn the things they can---and cannot---control in their work environment. UniServ Field Rep for Leadership Training, Michael Saffron explained the laws, policies and practices that can affect our workloads.

Tenure was created more than one hundred years ago to protect public school employees by keeping politics out of the classroom. New Jersey's schools still need that protection. Tenure is not designed to keep ineffective teachers in the classroom. Most ineffective teachers are weeded out in the first three years, before ever earning tenure. Four out of every 10 new teachers never earn tenure.

Almost every local association in Gloucester County was represented at the annual NJEA Winter Leadership Conference held at the Sheraton in Atlantic City. Members learned about various advocacy issues from collective bargaining to engaging members.

Detective Sgt. Steven LaPorta, head of the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office High Tech Crimes Unit, presented "What is CyberBullying?" to parents and community members. Click on the link below to view the photos.

The Gloucester County Education Association recently held a workshop for members entitled, "Strides for Pride: Protecting Our GLBT Students". The presenter, Riley Keenan is a social worker and advocate for the GLBT community.

Seventy members braved the snow on Saturday, January 21, 2012 to attend the ESP Luncheon and workshop at Terra Nova Restaurant in Washington Township. NJEA Professional Development consultant Muneerah Higgs presented a training on "Dealing with Difficult Students for ESP".

The Region 2/Gloucester-Salem Legislative Action Team met recently at the RiverWinds Restaurant in West Deptford. Close to 60 members were able to hear the views on educational issues of Freeholders Lyman Barnes, Heather Simmons, Vince Nestore, and Larry Wallace. Members also had the opportunity to ask questions.

The week of January 23-27, 2012 has been designated as "NO NAME CALLING" week! Created by the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and Simon & Schuster Children’s publishing, it was inspired from the young-adult novel "The Misfits" by James Howe. Click on the link below to read more.

Registration for the Educational Support Professional's luncheon on Saturday, January 21, 2012 has been CLOSED! Thank you to everyone who is planning to attend!

The Gloucester County Education Association will be hosting a workshop for all members, parents, students and other interested community members on Wednesday, January 25, 7:00 pm. at Nicolosi's Catering in Woodbury on the issue of cyberbullying. The presenter will be Sgt. Steven LaPorta from the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office. Please click on "workshops" in the menu bar to register.

Click on the link below to read a Wall Street Journal article concerning the failure of Chris Christie to attain any part of his education reform agenda in 2011!

GCEA proudly presents a very special workshop on Monday, January 23, 2012 at 4:30 pm at the GCEA office, 335 Glassboro Road, Woodbury Heights-- "Strides for Pride: Protecting Our GLBT Students". Now, more than ever with the implementation of the anti-bullying law, we must find ways to help ALL of our students feel safe and protected. Come learn what it is like to be a GLBT student in today's environment- and how we can make a difference. Click on "workshops", then "register for a workshop" in the menu bar. You must be registered to attend.

The Gloucester and Salem County Legislative Action Teams will hold a meeting and training on January 10, 2011 at the RiverWinds Restaurant in West Deptford. If you are interested in the current political scene and want to hear about the latest legislative issues affecting education, please plan to attend. This is also an opportunity for you to speak directly with our legislators from Districts 3, 4 and 5. To register, click on "Workshops", then "register for a workshop".

Members from Gloucester and Salem Counties converged on the Food Court at the Deptford Mall to stage another Grade-In. Over 100 members representing Mantua, Deptford, Harrison, Kingsway, Clearview, Greenwich, Franklin, Delsea, Glassboro, Pitman, GCIT, Monroe, Westville, East Greenwich, Alloway, Lower Alloway Creek, Penns Grove-Carney's Point, and Pennsville local associations graded papers, ate dinner, and talked with the public about their jobs! Brochures on homework, watching TV, college and other topics were disseminated to parents. Special thanks to Kingsway Regional EA members Laura Reynolds and Jacki Pelleriti for taking the time to help a parent with her child's math homework, to Mike Wichert, Clearview EA for organizing the event, and of course, to the Cat in the Hat for the surprise visit!

GCEA members were out in full force at the 2011 NJEA Convention held in Atlantic City, November 10-11, 2011. Many of them visited the GCEA booth to register for a special prize and receive a free gift! Several local presidents also attended the NJEA Affiliates Presidents' dinner held on Nov 10 at the Convention Center. President Sue Clark, NJEA Executive Committee member Linda Martins, Treasurer Tina Dare, and Membership Chair Christine Onorato represented GCEA at the Urban Education Committee's brunch where they heard a special presentation by NJEA attorney, Steve Cohan, on the anti-bullying law.

The Gloucester County Education Association honored our Educational Support Professionals and the GCEA ESP of the Year with a dinner and workshop! The members enjoyed a "Time Management" presentation by Region 2 UniServ consultants, Allison Braun and Mike Salerno, then paid special tribute to the Educational Support Professional of the Year, Dotty Grieb, President of the Gloucester County Special Services Education Association.

Gloucester County Education Association once again sponsored a 'phone bank' to "Get Out the Vote' for our endorsed candidates. NJEA Secretary-Treasurer Marie Blistan was on hand to lend her support as well! Click on the link below to see some of the members who helped!

Irene Hill-Smith was a life long resident of Gloucester County and has been nominated for the New Jersey Hall of Fame in the history category. In addition to being a tireless civil rights leader, Hill-Smith played a significant role in the restoration of Paulsdale, the home of Alice Paul, and lobbied for the civil rights of all individuals at the local, state, and national levels. The GCEA Executive Committee has voted to endorse her for this prestigious honor and encourage you to click on the link below to cast YOUR vote for Irene Hill-Smith.

Every New Jersey Senator and Assemblyperson was invited to participate in the "Teacher for a Day" program during American Education Week! Click on the link below to read all about it!

Click on the link below to view the latest TV ad by NJEA that 'debunks' claims that tenure is given to teachers just for breathing!

The Gloucester County Education Association is proud to announce that the annual Educational Support Professionals Dinner and Workshop will be held on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at Nicolosi's Catering in Woodbury. The program for the evening will include the presentation of the GCEA ESP of the Year award to Dotty Grieb, President of the GCSSEA, remarks by the NJEA ESP of the Year, Deborah Grosse, and special guest, NJEA Secretary-Treasurer, Marie Blistan. Please join us for the workshop, "Time Management", and enjoy this event especially designed for the ESP's!

The Westville Education Association was nominated for the prestigious Jim George Collective Bargaining Award! The WEA bargained language for family leave, established stipends for four new positions, established themselves as an active community participant, and worked to pass the school budget, What is probably most astounding is that their contract was settled three months prior to the expiration of the current agreement with settlements within the county average. Additionally, all members were able to move up a step on the salary guide each year of the three year agreement while increasing the starting salary to $50k! Congratulations to Westville Ea, their co-presidents, Karen Knaul and Keith Jackson, the Negotiations chair, Cathy Davis and the 34 members of the WEA! GOOD JOB!

Click on the link below to sign a petition that will encourage your representatives in Washington to maintain the 6 day delivery system of the postal system! Cutting back delivery to 5 days, as is being proposed, could cost thousands of middle-class jobs!

Almost one hundred members attended the "XYZ's of Retirement" workshop held at Masso's Crystal Manor in Glassboro. NJEA Research Division Associate Director Jim Jameson presented information on the retirement process. The same workshop will also be presented on April 24, 2012 if you missed this one!

Click on the link below to read the Newark Star-Ledger article on how two super-rich hedge fund managers are trying to influence educational reform in New Jersey!

The Gloucester County Education Association celebrated "Pink Day" by thanking the staffs of several oncology centers in the county for their work with breast cancer patients. Gloucester County Retired Educator member Trudy Randazzo, office manager, Linda Calandra and President Susan Clark visited the Minniti Center for Medical Oncology and Hematology, Abel Imaging, Virtua Fox Chase Cancer Center, Underwood Women's Breast Center, Kennedy University Radiation Oncology and Kennedy Cancer Center to deliver bags filled with 'goodies', as a thank you gift for all their hard work.

The Gloucester County Education Association, as part of the Pride in Public Schools campaign, hosted a "Gang Awareness" presentation for members, parents, students, and law enforcement. Detective Javier Castellanos, Passiac County Sheriffs Dept Gang Intelligence Unit, and Detective Robert Chew, Camden Police Strategic Multi-Agency Shootings and Homicide Task Force, presented segments on gang enticements, recruitment, colors, symbols, and presence.

The workshop, "What Newer Members Need to Know" scheduled for Wednesday, October 26 at the GCEA office has been cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. It will be re-scheduled for next year.

Click on the link below to view the latest ad from NJEA-- this one highlights the training of science teachers.

Gloucester County Education Association's Legislative Action Team welcomed Freeholder candidates Heather Simmons and Lyman Barnes, as our endorsed candidates in the November election. Ginger Gold Schnitzer, NJEA GR Director spoke to the members about the importance of going to the polls on November 8 . She also presented the latest information on pending legislation.

Delsea Education Association members who reside in Franklin and Elk Townships, as well as many community members expressed their concern over a lack of a contract between the Delsea Board of Education and the DEA! Residents and members alike each urged the Board members to meet with the DEA and settle the contract now.

The Gloucester County Education Association is pleased to announce a "Pride in Public Education" event on "Gang Awareness" on October 20, 2011 beginning at 6:00 pm at the Wedgewood Country Club in Washington Township. While most people believe GANGS are only an urban problem, a 2007 survey of law enforcement showed that 55% of the communities in South Jersey reported a gang presence! Come learn what you can do to prevent our children from joining gangs, what gangs promise our children, and how gang activities affect our families and communities. The public is invited but you must be registered to attend

Gloucester County Education Association recently held a workshop on how to make your meetings better and more effective. Region 2 UniServ consultant, Mona Bennett, presented information on how to create and organize effective meetings using Robert's Rules of Order, and how to best use the time available to meet.

The Gloucester County Education Association held the annual Fall Focus meeting at Masso's in Glassboro on September 27, 2011. Over 200 members were in attendance to hear NJEA President Barbara Keshishian speak about why Membership Matters. The local associations with at least 10% of their members present were awarded prizes. Those districts are: Delsea Transportation, Elk Township, Greenwich Twp, Harrison Twp, National Park, Wenonah, and Woodbury Heights. The Glouc. County Special Services EA won for having the highest number of members and the Glassboro Ed Support Prof Assoc. had the greatest improvement in attendance over last year.

An article in the Bergen Record challenges the 'facts' presented in a recent television ad praising Gov. Christie's accomplishments. Click on the link below to read more.

Come and join us for the first grade in of the 2011-2012 school year. This grade-in will occur on November 17th between 5 and 7 pm.

The first Legislative Action Team meeting of the year will be held on October 11, 2011 at the GCEA office beginning at 4:00pm. The NJEA-endorsed candidate for Assembly from Legislative District 4, Shelley Lovett, has been invited to meet with you! Take this opportunity to express your concerns and hear her positions on issues important to all of us. Click on "workshops" in the menu bar and then "Register for a workshop". Hope to see you there.

Linda Behm, GCEA past president was honored with her addition to the Wall of Honor and the Gloucester County Teacher of the Year was presented to the members!

Members from the South Harrison Township Education Association, led by President Bev Donofrio, protested their lack of a contract before and during the annual Back-to-School night held on September 21, 2011. Members held signs informing parents that they have been without a settled agreement for 800+ days! SHEA is the ONLY district in the state that has started their third year without an agreement and the ONLY district in South Jersey who are at super-conciliation!

Howard Wainer, Wharton School of Business professor and former principal researcher at the Educational Testing Service, raises significant questions about the use of student test scores to evaluate teachers in his new book, "Uneducated Guesses".

GCEA held the first-ever Welcome Back Brunch for Gloucester County local association presidents on Sunday, September 11, 2011 at Scotland Run Golf Club. GCEA President Susan Clark welcomed everyone, presented a special 9-11 remembrance and explained what our county organization can do to assist the locals. NJEA Secretary-Treasurer, Marie Blistan, congratulated the presidents on their advocacy and hard work on the behalf of their members. Various GCEA officers and committee chairs then presented brief overviews on upcoming events and workshops. Thank you to everyone who took the time from their busy schedules to attend!

Support our new program where we promote shopping at local businesses that support public education.

A recent public opinion poll conducted by Kean University found that 70% of those polled were very or somewhat satisfied with public school teachers and schools. Click on the link to see the full results.

The NJEA has joined other public sector employee unions in filing a lawsuit against the State of New Jersey for violating members' contractual rights. Click on the link below to read more.

The NJEA PAC Operating Committee has endorsed 68 candidates for the state legislature in the November elections. Click on the link below to read the entire press release and learn who was or wasn't endorsed.

Actor Matt Damon goes toe-to-toe with a news reporter over the issue of teacher tenure!

Gloucester County locals were well represented at this years Annual Meeting of the NEA Representative Assembly held in Chicago July1-6, 2011. Members from the following Associations worked from 7;00 am to 6:00 pm listening to Vice-President Joe Biden address the delegates, voting on new business items, honoring the Wisconsin Senators, the National Teacher and ESP of the Year, and endorsing President Obama for a second term: Swedesboro-Woolwich, Monroe Township, Mantua, Elk, Delsea Regional, GCSSSD, Franklin, Deptford, Washington Township, Clearview Regional, and Glassboro. If your local was not represented, start making plans to become a delegate for next year!