JerseyCAN 2025-2026 Graduation Fellowships: NJ Teacher Leadership Policy Fellowship, Parent Champions for Strong Schools Fellowship, and Student Civic Leaders Fellowship

Next Generation of New Jersey's Teacher, Parent, and Student Advocacy Leaders Celebrate Graduation and Showcase Their Impact Throughout the Garden State

[New Jersey - June 17, 2025] JerseyCAN, the only statewide advocacy organization in New Jersey committed to ensuring access to high-quality public schools for every child regardless of zip code, cultural background, and socioeconomic status, graduated the 2025-26 cohorts for its New Jersey Teacher Leader Policy, Parent Champions for Strong Schools, and Student Civic Leaders Fellowships.  JerseyCAN developed the Fellowships to support the three key stakeholders within New Jersey’s education landscape and to drive greater advocacy in education policy across the state.  

Now in its sixth year of service, JerseyCAN expanded its successful suite of fellowships to include a new program designed and curated explicitly for public school students, which launched with students from the Morris County Vocational School District (MCVSD).  Participants in JerseyCAN’s fellowships discuss the latest policy trends and issues in New Jersey education, deepen their understanding of the state's education challenges, and are empowered to develop the solutions needed at the local and statewide levels to improve public education in the Garden State.  In addition, each unique program utilizes JerseyCAN's strong relationships in Trenton and in school districts throughout New Jersey, providing each Fellow multiple opportunities to learn from state elected leaders, meet influential educational experts to gain needed perspective on various policies, expand their own networks, build direct relationships within the New Jersey education space, and learn and develop engagement and advocacy skills to ensure their participation in future education issues.  Each cohort meets throughout the school year, with graduation serving as a culminating event in which each fellow shares key milestones from their work and outlines plans to continue their advocacy. 

"Public education is strongest when the people closest to students are equipped to help shape the decisions that affect them,” stated Paula White, Executive Director, JerseyCAN.  Through our fellowship programs, JerseyCAN is helping build a statewide network of informed, engaged leaders who are prepared to move from concern to action and from participation to meaningful leadership. Lasting change in education does not begin in Trenton alone—it begins when students, parents, and teachers believe their voices matter and have the confidence, knowledge, and tools to use them effectively.  JerseyCAN is now supporting advocates at every level of the educational experience—from students to parents to teachers—creating a stronger and more connected pipeline of education leaders across New Jersey. As the challenges and opportunities facing our schools continue to evolve, New Jersey will need more leaders who are willing to ask difficult questions, elevate new ideas, and help build practical solutions. These Fellows have shown they are ready to answer that call. Together, they represent the next generation of leadership that will help strengthen our schools, improve educational outcomes, and ensure that policy conversations remain connected to the realities of our classrooms and communities. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and excited to see how they continue to lead long after this program concludes."

"This year’s Fellows did far more than learn about education policy—they learned how to translate knowledge into action and action into impact, stated Dr. Chelsea Collins, Director of Fellowship Programs, JerseyCAN. “Throughout the year, fellows challenged assumptions, explored complex issues, built relationships with policymakers and education leaders, and developed the confidence to advocate for the issues they care about most. This year also marked an exciting new chapter for JerseyCAN as we welcomed our first Student Civic Leaders cohort alongside our Teacher Leader Policy and Parent Champions fellowships. Bringing students into this work reinforced something we have long believed: meaningful education policy is strongest when every stakeholder has a seat at the table and an opportunity to contribute. Across all three programs, participants demonstrated curiosity, courage, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to improving opportunities for students and communities throughout New Jersey.  What gives me the greatest optimism is that these Fellows are not waiting for permission to lead—they are already doing it. They are bringing new perspectives to important conversations, helping their communities better understand the challenges facing public education, and advocating for solutions that can make a lasting difference. Graduation is not the end of their journey; it is the beginning of a deeper commitment to leadership, service, civic engagement, and educational opportunity. Their ideas, energy, and passion give us tremendous confidence in the future of education in New Jersey, and we look forward to seeing the impact they will continue to make in the years ahead."

The following is a summary of the development and results from the last year:

The New Jersey Teacher Leader Policy Fellowship is an opportunity for New Jersey teacher leaders to learn about and engage in education policy and advocacy. Over the course of one year, our fellows study the NJ education policy landscape, hone their advocacy skills, and achieve a short-term advocacy goal. Further, fellows engage in high-quality professional learning and networking opportunities throughout the fellowship.

Brianna Anderson, Grade 4 Math, Elk Township School District, Elk Township, NJ
Ran three teacher academies to introduce and review research-based engagement practices with teachers. 

“As someone who has always wanted to grow in my practice to improve student engagement, gaining the knowledge and advocacy skills to run the teacher academies pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way. Everyone I worked with and talked to at JerseyCAN was knowledgeable and inspiring to learn from!”

Alexis Bellardino, Grade 3 Special Education, Berkeley Heights Township School District, Berkeley Heights, NJ
Developed a Parent Academy model that equips families with practical, research-based strategies to support foundational reading skills at home, beginning with helping families understand a universal reading screener. By strengthening the home–school connection, this work aims to close early literacy gaps and improve long-term academic outcomes.

“This fellowship is shaping me into a leader who not only understands the challenges in education but also takes action to create solutions that make a difference for students and families.”

Jonathan "Jack" Bosa, Grade 8 Math, West New York School District, West New York, NJ
Wrote an op-ed that elevated public awareness of the critical connection between student sleep, health, and academic success, while providing families and schools with actionable strategies to support healthy habits. 

"The fellowship helped to give me the push and confidence I needed to begin utilizing my talents in writing and public speaking as a means of advocating for my students and pushing for positive change. I am so grateful for the lessons learned, the people I have met, and for enabling me to take a step closer towards the impactful educator I always wanted to be."

Shaina Brenner, Grade 2, Jackson School District, Jackson, NJ
Focused on bridging the gap between policy and classroom practice by advancing science of learning–aligned, evidence-based instruction. Through this work, policy recommendations were developed to strengthen instructional leadership capacity and establish guardrails for instructional technology, ensuring effective, developmentally appropriate teaching and learning.

“The JerseyCAN Fellowship helped me translate my knowledge and research into actionable policy and deepened my understanding of how thoughtful policy can drive meaningful change.”

Jo Ann Dorsey, Grade 8 Math, Union City Public Schools. Union City, NJ
Advocated for elementary students’ math literacy and fluency, ensuring they build the foundational skills necessary for long-term academic success.

“Working with JerseyCAN has been one of the best experiences of my life. I have a renewed sense of commitment to the educational goals that I have been pursuing for the last 30-plus years.”

Robert Fitzpatrick, Grade 8 ELA, Penns Grove Carneys Point, Regional School District Penns Grove, NJ
Presented to district leaders, local school boards, and the SBA in Salem and Cumberland Counties, and engaged policymakers through written testimony and State Assembly hearings on the topic of graduation pathways and diploma integrity. 

“The fellowship was outstanding and provided so much insight and support in navigating and trying to get real change off the ground.”

Leslye Folmar Harris, Grade 5 General Education, Morris School District, Morristown, NJ
Worked to adopt and implement a mentorship model focused on mentoring and supporting Black teachers. Grounded in her own experience and the belief that 'all research is me-search', the work aimed to expand community, strengthen representation, and build the academic capacity of all learners.

“Having a model and community to help bring my advocacy dreams to life has been nothing short of amazing! The ability to tap into resources and an existing framework is invaluable. At a time when many educators feel they have no agency or are not sure about how to tap into it, JerseyCAN provides community and mentorship, and for that I am thankful.”

Christine Nemeth, PK-12 Special Education, Camden City School District, Camden City, NJ
Designed and proposed local efforts that will strengthen teacher knowledge and instructional skills as a pathway toward expanding dual certification in general and special education to better meet student needs.

“A completely enriching experience that helped reignite my passion for issues in education, focusing on being the change instead of complaining about what needs to change.”

Hillary Raszka, K-5 Instructional Coach, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District, Bridgewater Township, NJ
Built on the momentum of recent literacy legislation, she worked to strengthen instructional coaching across the state by creating a network that provides training in evidence-based practices and establishes clear guidelines on coach qualifications. 

“As an educator, I've always prided myself on staying informed on best practices, but the world of educational policy and advocacy felt intimidating, and I was afraid to dive into it. The fellowship provided the exact push and support I needed to finally take the leap.”

Sue Rexford, PreK-8 STEAM, Newark Public Schools, Newark, NJ
Met with the administration team at 13th Avenue School in Newark to schedule the development and timeline for piloting new academic programming that incorporates STEAM principles into the current school curriculum for grades K-8.

“The fellowship has provided the support and inspiration for me to believe I can make a difference in the educational system.”

Jeremy Rodas, K-2, Social Studies/Science, Cresthaven Academy Charter School, Plainfield, NJ
Helped influence meaningful change in Westfield’s policy regarding the consideration of limited CE holders for full-time teaching positions. This change will open doors for future employees by creating more opportunities for qualified individuals to enter the teaching profession.

“By offering direction and mentorship, this fellowship helps individuals move from hesitation to action and from possibility to progress.”

The Parent Champions for Strong Schools Fellowship is an opportunity for parents in New Jersey to learn and engage in education policy and advocacy at the state and local levels. Parents learn both education policy content and advocacy strategies and tools. Each fellow is focused on self-selected specific goals and demonstrating their advocacy publicly.

Maria J. Andrade, Kearny, NJ
Advocated for the development of a community-based Summer Career Pathways Pilot Proposal focused on student engagement, learner self-awareness, and UDL strategies..

“My fellowship with JerseyCAN strengthened my commitment to ensuring families have the information and access they need to make the best educational choices. It reinforced that real change happens when we equip communities with knowledge and elevate their voice in shaping better systems.”

Tabia Beckett, Irvington, NJ
Advocated for a clear state guideline requiring school districts to notify homeschool and private school parents of their right to a special education evaluation.

“The fellowship gives me the knowledge to act with strategy and precision. I’m here because I belong here and my voice needs to be heard.”

Lauren Burdge, Freehold, NJ
Focused on helping schools responsibly integrate artificial intelligence into education by promoting clear guidelines, teacher support, and ethical AI literacy for students. 

“As a parent and PTO President, the JerseyCAN Fellowship has empowered me to advocate for innovative, student-centered education while ensuring families have a voice in shaping the future of our schools. The experience has connected me with passionate leaders committed to expanding opportunities and making meaningful change for students across New Jersey.”

Ivonne Garcia, Jersey City, NJ
Advocated for stronger foundational literacy support and increased awareness about how excessive screen time impacts student focus, reading engagement, and confidence. Through research, parent engagement, and school-community advocacy, collaborated with other parents who share these concerns by attending board and virtual meetings, sharing data, and working to elevate family voices in support of student success.

“This fellowship empowered me to turn my personal experiences as a parent into meaningful advocacy and reminded me that parent voices have the power to create real change for students and schools.”

Fang Gong, Livingston, NJ
Engaged with state legislators and education leaders to advance a statewide requirement so ethical AI governance and transparency are not optional or dependent on zip code, ensuring districts have a consistent baseline while maintaining flexibility in how they implement.

“As both a parent and a Board of Education member, this fellowship gave me the opportunity to engage with innovation through a broader leadership lens. The mentorship, network of peers, and access to new tools and resources expanded my perspective and strengthened my ability to think more strategically about the challenges and opportunities facing our education systems.”

Catherine Gonzalez, Newark, NJ
Engaged in local advocacy to strengthen and sustain social-emotional learning practices by partnering with school leaders to identify gaps and co-develop practical, student-informed strategies for school-wide implementation. 

“The fellowship has empowered me as a parent to let my voice be heard and join spaces of discussion and decision-making so that I can bring change to my community. I have a newfound fire ignited to make known our lived experiences because they matter, and not be complacent with leadership that is fine with perpetuating an era of "going without" for our children. Through this fellowship, I have been poured into with encouragement, wisdom, shared passion, and collective action that only multiplies with the progression of each of our areas of advocacy.”

Clayton Gonzalez, Camden, NJ
Focused on advancing New Jersey Assembly Bill 4988 to strengthen statewide bilingual education through the New Jersey Department of Education, while building coalitions, conducting policy research, and engaging stakeholders to improve outcomes for English Learners.

“Through this fellowship, I’ve been able to bridge research, community voice, and policy to push for more equitable education systems in New Jersey.”

Vanessa Johnson-Pearson, Belleville, NJ
Advocated for stronger collaboration among families, educators, and literacy specialists by promoting shared use of student assessment data to design individualized literacy plans and close reading achievement gaps.

“This fellowship showed me that my voice matters, not just for my children, but for parents who often feel unseen and unheard in their educational journeys. It has equipped me with multifaceted advocacy skills and opened doors to spaces, resources, and a network of passionate like-minded individuals I may not have accessed otherwise.”

Diamond Jones, West Orange, NJ
Focused on connecting students to external social service resources that support their well-being and success, helping to bridge gaps between students and community-based organizations to ensure they have access to the support systems they need beyond the classroom.

“This fellowship helped me recognize and strengthen policies that center the support already being provided to students, ensuring their needs are met more intentionally.”

Tiffany Newton, Irvington, NJ
Engaged in sustained school and community advocacy by collaborating with local elected officials, school leadership, and planning committees to elevate SEL priorities, inform the Annual School Plan, and contribute to data-driven decision-making based on student and community needs assessments. 

“I want to express my gratitude to JerseyCan for this incredible opportunity, as they are pioneering the way to have both parents and teachers alike collaborate to cultivate real solutions for the many problems that plague our education system.”

Harsh Raju, Livingston, NJ
Focused on advancing inclusion in classrooms by highlighting the academic, social, and developmental benefits of learning environments where all students participate together and promoted the use of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to ensure instruction is accessible and effective for all learners, shifting inclusion from a special education approach to a core practice in mainstream education.

“When we design learning for every student, we create better education for all students.”

Student Civic Leaders Fellowship is a year-long program that gives high school students hands-on experience in civic engagement by guiding them through the process of identifying a real-world issue, researching its root causes, and taking actionable steps to address it. Through a mix of workshops, coaching, and strategy sessions, students learn how government systems work and develop practical advocacy skills. By the end of the program, student teams complete a capstone project and showcase their work at a culminating event, demonstrating their ability to turn ideas into meaningful community impact.  All students participating in this year’s inaugural cohort attended the Morris County Vocational School District (MCVSD).

Cat Smith
Surveyed students across the county to understand student engagement practices from their perspectives; promoted the use of inclusivity to improve student engagement in the classroom.

“This fellowship helped me improve my advocacy skills and equipped me to be able to reach out to different leaders to help with my advocacy.”

Erika Grissom, Krishna Maheta, Elizabeth Quinn, Gabriella Goodman, Victoria Johnston
Compiled layers of research on Career and Technical Education admissions statistics across the state to determine whether a true equity gap exists. Then, worked together to write an op-ed with a call to action for administrators and community members.

"Through this new student fellowship opportunity, we've been able to meet with so many inspiring advocacy professionals throughout our state and take a step in making an impact in our very own community. We're thankful for the unending support we have received from Ms. Shane, Scott, Chelsea, and Matthew to have a beneficial fellowship experience."

Francesca Piccolo, Duncan Felch
Advocated for New Jersey to grant 16- and 17-year-olds the right to vote in school board elections, transforming students from passive stakeholders into empowered constituencies. Met with Senators Gopal, Beach, and Mukherji on the subject, engaged with local school boards, and wrote and published an op-ed. 

“The JerseyCAN Fellowship taught us that the distance between a student's desk and a legislator's office is closer than we thought. We aren't just students of the system, but are now architects of its future.”

Kathryn Tubbs, Lucie Parrish, Benjamin Picache, Abigail Melamed
Wrote a letter to Members of Congress and State Senator Vin Gopal, Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, advocating and requesting committee hearings for a series of emerging education programs that promote English and math instruction supported by data.

“This was an amazing opportunity. It felt like my peers and I were making real steps towards advocacy. I learned so much about connecting with my community in ways that count to make change.”