Page 10 - 40thAnniversaryNJPSA

FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATIONAL

ADMINISTRATION (FEA)

NJPSA provides its members with the most While FEA was created in 1985, it was in 1993, when
comprehensive, relevant, and important professional Dr. Anthony Scannella was hired as the Director of
learning opportunities through the Foundation for Professional Development and later as CEO, that FEA
Educational Administration (FEA), an independent non- began to focus its efforts on professional development
profit 501 (c)(3) corporation. Founded in 1985, FEA is for school leaders. Tony developed many programs through
recognized as the premier organization for providing high the years and grew a cadre of FEA presenters for workshops,
quality professional learning to educators. in-district programs, and numerous leadership conferences,
including the Principals Center in Princeton, the NJ Exemplary
Through workshops conducted at the FEA Conference Leadership Institute for Technology in Education (NJ ELITE)
Center and regional locations, in-district workshops, online Conference in Wildwood, and the annual Fall Conference.
courses, virtual workshops, summits, conferences, the New These programs not only drew educational leaders throughout
Jersey Leadership Academy, the Equity in Action Leadership New Jersey, but also from as far away as Australia, New
Academy, and other professional learning programs, FEA Zealand, several countries in South America, and Cameroon.
addresses critical and emerging issues in educational Some of the noteworthy presenters and keynote speakers at
leadership and provides the training administrators need to these conferences included Michael Fullan, Theodore Sizer,
excel and grow in their profession. Alfie Kohn, Heidi Hayes Jacobs, Ruby Payne, Roland Barth,
Art Costa, and Bena Kallick, among others. In addition to the
FEA also houses four important NJPSA programs: LEGAL learning was an emphasis on having fun and creating lasting
ONE, the leading provider of school law training for educators; memories for those in attendance, whether it was listening
NJEXCEL, the state-approved, innovative, non-traditional to live music (sometimes performed by Tony himself on the
program leading to certification for Supervisor, Principal, saxophone), dancing through the night, or vying for amazing
Director of School Counseling Services, and School prizes, including one conference that had a few lucky members
Administrator; NJ Leaders to Leaders (NJL2L), a state- grabbing all the blowing cash they could handle in a money
approved comprehensive mentoring and induction program booth and one driving away with the grand prize of a lease on a
that provides trained mentors and services to support new new Ford Mustang.
school leaders in the completion of the state-required two-
year Residency for Standard Principal Certification; and New As a 501(c)(3), FEA is eligible to apply for and secure
Jersey Teacher Leader Certification (NJTLC), a state-approved government and nonprofit foundation grants that would
program leading to the new teacher leader endorsement. fund special projects and pilot programs to empower school
leaders in New Jersey and address areas of critical need,
Many FEA programs and long-term partnerships with schools such as Chronic Absenteeism, Arts Integration, Healing-
and districts have deepened extensively over the years. Today, Centered Engagement, Connected Action Roadmap, Early
FEA is able to leverage tech tools to more effectively meet Childhood Leadership, Youth Entrepreneurship, School
the needs of NJPSA members and to offer flexible learning Leadership, Educational Technology, Alternative Performance
pathways that promote collaboration, inquiry, and a continuous Assessments, Multi-tiered System of Supports, and Twenty-
cycle of improvement. First Century Community Learning Centers. Funders, over