Newark 'Teacher Academy' Will Transform Students Into Educators

NEWARK, NJ — What some are calling the “New Jersey’s most comprehensive teacher academy” took another step towards opening day this week in Newark.

On Tuesday, stakeholders launched the planning phase for The Teacher Academy, an ambitious partnership that will be located at Newark’s largest high school, East Side, on Van Buren Street. The new academy – slated to open in 2020 – will offer local public school students a “pipeline” to careers as teachers, helping to shore up the diversity of classrooms across New Jersey, supporters say.

Graduates of the academy will receive a substitute certificate and college credits upon completion, according to a news release from Newark city officials.

If students graduate the academy, finish college and complete the state’s requirements to become a teacher, the program offers them a $50,000 teaching contract, NJ.com reported.

“Once they have met all of the requirements, they have a job here,” Superintendent León said. “This is a game changer.”

León elaborated about the offer to WBGO:

“Any student teacher that actually begins their studies here in our school system, we will offer them a contract. So that when they graduate from college and meet all of the conditions necessary to accept the job, then they automatically don’t have to look for any other job in any other school district.”

According to city officials, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and Montclair State University will help design a curriculum to prepare students for a career in teaching. In addition, the university will provide adjunct professors to mentor students, and internships for students will be available.

Partner high schools to East Side High are Newark’s University High Schools Media Studies Academy and Arts High Schools Arts Academy. Both academies will be housed at East Side High School.

Supporters and stakeholders gathered at East Side High School on Tuesday to celebrate the milestone. Present were Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Newark Public Schools Superintendent Roger León, Montclair State University President Susan Cole, AFT President Randi Weingarten and Newark Teachers Union President John Abeigon.

Weingarten lauded the “grow-our-own program” as an important step towards adding diversity at the front of the classroom.

“The teaching academy at East Side High School can be the center of a virtuous cycle that prepares Newark’s youth to excel in a high-quality teacher preparation program and return to their community to teach—equipped with the skills and the will to make every public school worthy of the next generation of students,” Weingarten said.

“This partnership is what real collaboration looks like,” Weingarten added.

• See related article: Rutgers Gives Newark Students Chance To Earn Credits While In HS

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