As I reflect on the 2025–2026 academic year, I am immensely proud of the momentum and impact NJACTE has achieved together. From launching the inaugural New Jersey Conference for Educator Preparation in partnership with the NJDOE to expanding our advocacy presence through Washington Week—where our NJ delegation continued to grow in both number and influence—we have strengthened our collective voice for educator preparation. Our members’ engagement was evident across the country as well, from presenting at the TECSCU conference in Las Vegas to leading a national webinar this spring that extended the reach of our work. Closer to home, signature events such as the NJSUP Powerhouse Conference and our annual convenings on diversifying the teacher workforce and assessment brought together thought leaders, including AACTE President Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy, to advance critical conversations shaping the future of education.
This year also marked important milestones of recognition and investment in our mission. NJACTE was honored with the AACTE 2026 State Affiliate Support Award, and together we raised over $8,400 to sustain and grow our programming. I am deeply grateful to have been recognized by AACTE leadership for my service on the Global Diversity Committee—an acknowledgment that reflects the collective commitment of our NJACTE community to equity and excellence. We celebrated that commitment through initiatives like the Social Justice Committee’s partnership with Make the Road New Jersey and the Distinguished Clinical Intern Awards, which highlighted the outstanding work of future educators and their mentors across 20 programs. As we look ahead, I remain inspired by our shared purpose and the powerful collaborations that continue to move educator preparation forward in New Jersey.
NJACTE remains as some of the most rewarding and reaffirming work in which I engage. Having the opportunity to lead this coalition of brilliant and caring colleagues makes me smile when I think about the work we are doing in New Jersey and beyond. I am grateful for how we continue to stretch ourselves and ask the hard questions of ourselves, our institutions, and our systems-at-large.
We are #NJACTEstrongertogether.
Sincerely,
LaChan V. Hannon, Ph.D.
NJACTE President