New Jersey School-University Partnership Schools (NJSUP) is an ad hoc group within the New Jersey Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (NJACTE). As an ad hoc, NJSUP has representatives from each participating colleges/universities who have School-University Partnerships (SUP). NJSUP holds several events and activities, including a yearly conference that is open to all school-university partnerships and teacher preparation stakeholders.
We often refer to spring as the season for new beginnings, but anyone in education would agree that September marks the start of a new beginning, a new academic year. I am excited to write the first NJSUP blog that will kick-off the new academic year as well as pass the baton to our incoming President, Dr. Cathy Brant.
As Interim Past-President for NJSUP, I feel obliged to use this platform to thank the board and affiliate members for a very successful AY25. Last year was a year of reactivation and planning. Planning meetings began in October and were held monthly until May. An election took place in February for interim officers and board members. The interim board began meeting in March and continued to meet until May. In an effort to help NJSUP reactivate, the affiliate created multiple standing committees. The committee chairs were current members-at-large, and the co-chairs were current members from the Board of Directors.
Since AY25 was a planning year, no events occurred, but the Events Committee has shared plans that include supporting William Paterson University with the School-University Partnership Powerhouse Conference, scheduled for October 22, 2025. At the conference, plans are being made to hold an in-person membership social. The committee would also like to plan for the return of the MLK: Day of Action Webinar and the Virtual Professional Book Club.
Many will hear me say, it takes a village… to describe the great work of our affiliate and the people who help lead our success. Hence, I would like to end this first blog of AY26 with thanks and acknowledgements.
There is one person that I have been working with throughout the summer to lead, facilitate and/or move initiatives forward. NJSUP’s current secretary, Dr. Carmelia Graham, has worked by my side to get NJSUP to where it is today. Dr. Graham has been hard at work drafting agendas, minutes, organizing the yearly calendar and updating the membership directory to prepare for the new NJSUP leadership. As she enters her second year as secretary, I know she will continue to do a stellar job!
I am happy to report that NJSUP has 40 plus members. Several of these members have joined and many are leading our six standing committees. Thanks to Dr. Brent Elder and the Egg Harbor Township student media team, we have begun to record videos for our monthly Vlog/Blog page. Each committee will have an opportunity to provide a vlog/blog during the academic year.
I am excited to welcome NJSUP’s President Dr. Cathy Brant to her new role, and I hope the work that was completed last year has provided her with the tools and structure needed to continue the work of NJSUP in AY26.
I will end this blog as Interim Past-President the way I began, no one can do this work alone and it takes a village. I encourage all NJSUP members to get involved because the village will need help to move priorities forward. Thank you for allowing me to use this platform to thank NJSUP members and leaders for a great year and for continuing to be the village!
Submitted by Dr. Stacey Leftwich, NJSUP Interim Past-President