Page 7 - 40thAnniversaryNJPSA

2000s Many people have had a hand in

making the organization what it is
today – an association of nearly
Nothing stands still. During these last 20 years, the professional 7,000 premier active members, which
development offered by the FEA has only expanded its reach. represents and advocates on behalf
NJEXCEL has continued to grow as has the Leaders to Leaders the interests of its members, and, more
program. Started as a partnership with Rutgers Law School in Newark generally, advocates for what it sees
and the Monmouth Ed. Services Commission, the Rutgers/FEA Law as being in the best interest of New
Institute became the foundation that led to the creation of LEGAL Jersey’s schools. Naming everyone is
ONE, which today is recognized by many as the premier professional
development program on legal issues affecting our schools and their not possible, but here are a few people
staff. who merit honorable mention:

Pat Wright, who served as the third executive director of the NJPSA Henry Miller, the first Executive
from 2012 until her retirement in 2021, helped to make the NJPSA a Director of the NJPSA, who had the
trusted partner with other stakeholders and educational associations, vision to see what the NJPSA could
as well as the NJDOE, while initiating trailblazing programs on best become and who helped build the
practices connecting standards with student learning. organization’s foundation.

While the NJPSA has had many Walter Chesner, who helped to create
the field program we have today
milestones over the last 40 years, assisting members and bargaining

the core purpose of the units across the state.
organization has not changed. Terry Evanko, who reminded all of us

that we are a membership organization
We advocate on behalf of and that we should never forget that.

the interests of New Jersey’s Terry, who held the title of Assistant
Executive Director, really was the
school leaders. NJPSA’s membership ambassador.

JoAnn Bartoletti, who served as the
NJPSA’s second executive director
for 20 years. In recognizing the
ever-growing need for professional
development, she helped to expand the
programs offered by the FEA, moved
the NJPSA to its present headquarters,
and helped to create and design the
FEA Conference Center.

Pat Wright, the third Executive Director
of the NJPSA, who brought with her an
education practitioner’s commitment to
improving learning and best practices
in New Jersey. In the process, she
helped to make the FEA a professional
learning powerhouse and, through her
skills at relationship-building, helped
to make the NJPSA a much sought-
after resource by the NJDOE, State
Legislature, and other educational
stakeholders.