Member Voices: An NJEA Podcast

Welcome to Member Voices, an NJEA Podcast. In this episode, we welcome 2018-19 New Jersey State Teacher of the Year Jennifer Skomial on the program.

Question:

• How Important Are Teacher Training Programs?

• Sean M. Spiller | @SpillerForNJEA
• Jeff Bradbury | @JeffBradbury

Jennifer Skomial is a Career and Technical Education Teacher at Morris County School of Technology and the 2018-19 New Jersey State Teacher of the Year. Jennifer Skomial, like many others in the profession, has always wanted to be a teacher. Her earliest memories include “playing school” with her younger brother, whom she needed to bribe to have a willing student. Not a day went by that she wasn’t eagerly practicing what she believes has been her life’s purpose. Jennifer is driven to encourage more students to go into the teaching field that she holds so dear. While many of the students she works with may not become early-childhood teachers, she knows that the exposure she provides them through hands-on experience in the on-site preschool, field trips, and guest speakers will help them determine their future paths.

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Sean Spiller, a high school science teacher in the Wayne public schools, is vice president of the New Jersey Education Association. Spiller was elected as NJEA vice president beginning Sept. 1, 2017.

At NJEA, Spiller has served as chair of the Congressional Contact Committee, as a member of the Urban Education Committee and as an ethnic minority-at large representative to the Delegate Assembly. He was also a member of the National Council of Urban Education Associations (NCUEA).

Jeffrey Bradbury, author of Kidblog: An Introduction to Blogging With Your Students, is the creator of TeacherCast.net, TeacherCast University, and Educational Podcasting Today, is an ASCD Emerging Leader, Google Certified Teacher, Google Education Trainer, PBS Learning Media Digital Innovator, speaker, writer, broadcaster, consultant and educational media specialist. He is currently the Coordinator for Technology Integration for the Westwood Regional School District in New Jersey.

In 2012, Jeff was recognized as one of Top 50 educators using social media at the first-ever Bammy Awards and has been nominated three times in the category of Innovator of the Year. Jeff has Keynoted for the Pearson Authentic Learning Conference, EdTechNJ and most recently at Columbia University’s Teacher College and Podcast Mid-Atlantic.

Welcome to Member Voices, an NJEA Podcast. In this episode, we welcome Tom Tamburello, a Mathematics teacher and Department Chair from Lenape High School in Medford New Jersey.

• Sean M. Spiller | @SpillerForNJEA
• Jeff Bradbury | @JeffBradbury

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Tom Tamburello lived in Maryland until moving to New Jersey in 1988. A product of public schools, Tom is a graduate of Cherokee High School in Marlton, NJ and earned his bachelor's degree in Mathematics from The College of New Jersey. In 2002 Tom earned his master's degree in Education from Nova Southeastern University. For the past 20 years, Tom has been a high school math teacher at Lenape High School in Burlington County. At the school he also serves as the advisor to the Gender Sexuality Alliance club, is the math department coordinator, and trains new staff in the Research for Better Teaching program.

In 2006 Tom was awarded the N.J. Center for Science, Technology & Mathematics Education Center from Kean University. Two years later he was the Lenape Regional High School District Teacher of the year. Tom has a passion for not only teaching math but understanding and implementing strategies and research about educational practices in his classroom.

During the past 20 years, Tom has served his local by being a building vice president, association representative, and is currently serving as a member at large on the executive board. Tom has also served as Secretary of the Burlington County Education Association, was a member of NJEA's Election Committee, and has been the chairperson of NJEA's Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee for over a decade.

In his free time, Tom enjoys the outdoors, traveling the world with his husband, and is an avid game show fan. Tom and his husband are active in their church, enjoy discussions about the intersection of religion and sexuality, and recently became licensed to be foster parents in the state of New Jersey.

Sean Spiller, a high school science teacher in the Wayne public schools, is vice president of the New Jersey Education Association. Spiller was elected as NJEA vice president beginning Sept. 1, 2017.

At NJEA, Spiller has served as chair of the Congressional Contact Committee, as a member of the Urban Education Committee and as an ethnic minority-at large representative to the Delegate Assembly. He was also a member of the National Council of Urban Education Associations (NCUEA).

Jeffrey Bradbury, author of Kidblog: An Introduction to Blogging With Your Students, is the creator of TeacherCast.net, TeacherCast University, and Educational Podcasting Today, is an ASCD Emerging Leader, Google Certified Teacher, Google Education Trainer, PBS Learning Media Digital Innovator, speaker, writer, broadcaster, consultant and educational media specialist. He is currently the Coordinator for Technology Integration for the Westwood Regional School District in New Jersey.

In 2012, Jeff was recognized as one of Top 50 educators using social media at the first-ever Bammy Awards and has been nominated three times in the category of Innovator of the Year. Jeff has Keynoted for the Pearson Authentic Learning Conference, EdTechNJ and most recently at Columbia University’s Teacher College and Podcast Mid-Atlantic.

Join NJEA President Marie Blistan as she shares stories of NJEA members and all of the amazing things that are happening in remote classrooms across the state, from members making and packing lunches, to community colleges teaching remotely. Learn about the great resources that NJEA has available during the pandemic on njeatogether.org from curriculum to professional development to Covid-19 resources.

• Sean M. Spiller | @SpillerForNJEA
• Jeff Bradbury | @JeffBradbury

We are proud to be listed in the Apple Podcast Directory. Please take a moment and subscribe to this show on your favorite podcast player today!

Sean Spiller, a high school science teacher in the Wayne public schools, is vice president of the New Jersey Education Association. Spiller was elected as NJEA vice president beginning Sept. 1, 2017.

At NJEA, Spiller has served as chair of the Congressional Contact Committee, as a member of the Urban Education Committee and as an ethnic minority-at large representative to the Delegate Assembly. He was also a member of the National Council of Urban Education Associations (NCUEA).

Jeffrey Bradbury, author of Kidblog: An Introduction to Blogging With Your Students, is the creator of TeacherCast.net, TeacherCast University, and Educational Podcasting Today, is an ASCD Emerging Leader, Google Certified Teacher, Google Education Trainer, PBS Learning Media Digital Innovator, speaker, writer, broadcaster, consultant and educational media specialist. He is currently the Coordinator for Technology Integration for the Westwood Regional School District in New Jersey.

In 2012, Jeff was recognized as one of Top 50 educators using social media at the first-ever Bammy Awards and has been nominated three times in the category of Innovator of the Year. Jeff has Keynoted for the Pearson Authentic Learning Conference, EdTechNJ and most recently at Columbia University’s Teacher College and Podcast Mid-Atlantic.

Finding balance and making the most with what we have Pt. Pleasant Beach Kindergarten Teacher and PPBEA President Joanna Douglas share what makes her classroom successful, even in a time of crisis. Her passion and experience show in everything she does and students, parents, and colleagues benefit from her enthusiasm and dedication.

• Sean M. Spiller | @SpillerForNJEA
• Jeff Bradbury | @JeffBradbury

Joanna Douglas is a twenty-two year veteran teacher, currently teaching Kindergarten in Point Pleasant Beach. Throughout her time at Point Beach, Joanna has served as a class advisor, cheerleading coach, drama club advisor, talent show director, track timer, QSAC committee member, and an Intervention and Referral Services advocate, Joanna has led staff workshops in her district, and has worked with administrators on the school planning team.

Joanna is currently serving her district as the Point Pleasant Beach Education Association President, and this is her third term in that position. Prior to her presidency, she served the Association as the Secretary and Negotiations Chairperson. She is also an Ambassador for Seesaw and Espark, and she received her certification as an Apple Certified educator.

Joanna is the chairperson of the Christian Education Committee at her church, and she sings on the church Praise Team. She also tends bar at the legendary Stone Pony year-round.

Mrs. Douglas resides with her husband and four dogs in Point Pleasant Boro. She loves to bake, sing, and shop in her free time. “Being a teacher has given me purpose in life. Even on tough days, I know that I’ve made a difference, and I truly enjoy connecting with all students, and watching them progress over time. Teaching has, and will always be, my passion. I love my job!”

We are proud to be listed in the Apple Podcast Directory. Please take a moment and subscribe to this show on your favorite podcast player today!

Sean Spiller, a high school science teacher in the Wayne public schools, is vice president of the New Jersey Education Association. Spiller was elected as NJEA vice president beginning Sept. 1, 2017.

At NJEA, Spiller has served as chair of the Congressional Contact Committee, as a member of the Urban Education Committee and as an ethnic minority-at large representative to the Delegate Assembly. He was also a member of the National Council of Urban Education Associations (NCUEA).

Jeffrey Bradbury, author of Kidblog: An Introduction to Blogging With Your Students, is the creator of TeacherCast.net, TeacherCast University, and Educational Podcasting Today, is an ASCD Emerging Leader, Google Certified Teacher, Google Education Trainer, PBS Learning Media Digital Innovator, speaker, writer, broadcaster, consultant and educational media specialist. He is currently the Coordinator for Technology Integration for the Westwood Regional School District in New Jersey.

In 2012, Jeff was recognized as one of Top 50 educators using social media at the first-ever Bammy Awards and has been nominated three times in the category of Innovator of the Year. Jeff has Keynoted for the Pearson Authentic Learning Conference, EdTechNJ and most recently at Columbia University’s Teacher College and Podcast Mid-Atlantic.

New Brunswick Education Association President and ESL teacher at Roosevelt Elementary, LeShaun Arrington, reflects upon the importance of diversity, seeing oneself within the classroom or organization to which one belongs, and ultimately how much impact that has on one’s life going forward. This drive for representation demands stepping up, inviting others in, giving members space to be involved, and supporting each other along the way.

LeShaun Arrington began her advocacy in education while serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Haiti, West Indies and in Mali, West Africa. By living in countries where education was a luxury, not a right, she brings a unique prospective on education advocacy. She received her Masters in Education from NYU and has taught English as a Second Language from grades Kindergarten to the college level. She is a proud member of NJEA and is currently serving as the President of the New Brunswick Education Association.

• Sean M. Spiller | @SpillerForNJEA
• Jeff Bradbury | @JeffBradbury

We are proud to be listed in the Apple Podcast Directory. Please take a moment and subscribe to this show on your favorite podcast player today!

Sean Spiller, a high school science teacher in the Wayne public schools, is vice president of the New Jersey Education Association. Spiller was elected as NJEA vice president beginning Sept. 1, 2017.

At NJEA, Spiller has served as chair of the Congressional Contact Committee, as a member of the Urban Education Committee and as an ethnic minority-at large representative to the Delegate Assembly. He was also a member of the National Council of Urban Education Associations (NCUEA).

Jeffrey Bradbury, author of Kidblog: An Introduction to Blogging With Your Students, is the creator of TeacherCast.net, TeacherCast University, and Educational Podcasting Today, is an ASCD Emerging Leader, Google Certified Teacher, Google Education Trainer, PBS Learning Media Digital Innovator, speaker, writer, broadcaster, consultant and educational media specialist. He is currently the Coordinator for Technology Integration for the Westwood Regional School District in New Jersey.

In 2012, Jeff was recognized as one of Top 50 educators using social media at the first-ever Bammy Awards and has been nominated three times in the category of Innovator of the Year. Jeff has Keynoted for the Pearson Authentic Learning Conference, EdTechNJ and most recently at Columbia University’s Teacher College and Podcast Mid-Atlantic.