Gov. Meets With Gloucester Co. Teachers

As part of an effort to ensure that New Jersey’s teachers have the opportunity to express their views on the important education issues facing the State, Governor James E. McGreevey and Commissioner of Education Commissioner Dr. William L. Librera today hosted a Town Meeting for Gloucester County educators.

“Today’s discussion brings teachers to the table in yet another critical way,” said McGreevey. “We will continue to work closely with parents, teachers and schools to accomplish real reform, and make meaningful changes in the lives of our children.”

Governor McGreevey has pledged to meet with teachers in every county in the State in order to explain the education proposals he outlined last week and to engage in an open dialogue with the teaching community. Today’s discussion, which took place at West Deptford High School in Westville, was the first of these meetings.

At the meeting, Commissioner Librera explained the specific steps the Department of Education will take in the coming year to implement the Governor’s blueprint.

“Our mission has five clear components,” he said. “They are teacher and administrator quality; raising student achievement; diverse and multiple paths for student success; innovative and outstanding practices/programs; and public engagement and communication.”

On September 17, at Education Summit 2002, Governor McGreevey outlined a 20 point plan to provide better trained teachers, more learning by students, and increased accountability and innovation for the state’s public school system. With his initiatives to enhance literacy in schools already under way, McGreevey convened the Education Summit 2002 to hold a public discussion of the strategies needed to meet the targets.

Governor McGreevey is committed to maintaining an open line of communication between the Governor’s Office and the State’s teachers. In March, he established the Governor’ Teacher Advisory Committee, which advises the Governor on the experiences of teachers in the classroom, identifies and examines factors that attract bright students to the profession, and recommends ways to end intellectual isolation among teachers by building and supporting communities of learners.

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Author: Paul Aronsohn