These Newark Teachers Also Make A Difference As Community Leaders

NEWARK, NJ — The qualities that make a good “teacher” aren’t always the same as those that make a good “leader.” But according to a nonprofit advocacy group, four outstanding educators in Newark are among those who successfully combine the best of both worlds.

Recently, JerseyCAN – a nonprofit that advocates for high-quality schools in the state – celebrated the graduation of its 2021-2022 New Jersey Teacher Leader Policy Fellows (watch the video below).

The year-long program gives Garden State teachers the chance to get together and discuss the latest policy trends and issues in New Jersey education. The fellowship also gives the teachers an opportunity to network with elected officials and some of the most influential educational stakeholders in the state.

As part of the fellowship, each teacher also develops a personal project representing a policy issue related to their passions and interests. The participants receive a $2,000 stipend for their commitment.

This year, the class included Newark teachers Sashai Roberts at Thrive Academy Charter School, Rouxana Pellicier at South Street School, Jasmine Seegers at Link Community Charter School District, and Cedric Thorbes at Achieve Clinton Hill Charter School.

Learn more about each below. A complete list of this year’s graduating class can be found here.

“The fellowship has been such a wonderful experience,” Roberts, Pellicier, Seegers and Thorbes said in a joint statement.

“We are so proud of the work we have done this year and so excited to bring the learning lessons back to my classroom,” the four teachers added. “The work we accomplished in the fellowship was impactful, empowering, and life-changing. We are so grateful to be part of this year’s graduating class and know we have built strong relationships that will continue in the years to come.”

Over the past two years, there have been 22 graduates of the NJ Teacher Leader Policy Fellowship. Applications for 2022-2023 will be available at jerseycan.org.

Sashai Roberts

• Grade/Subject – 2nd, ELA and Math
• Fellowship Advocacy Work – “I created an action plan to write a letter to Assembly ED asking for a hearing and sent my letter to an online media source to share my story about replacing the Praxis for a mentorship program for teachers. I am currently working on other ways my story and advocacy work can be heard.”
• What Did The Experience Mean To You? – NJ Can has provided me with the opportunity to advocate for teachers whose voices and stories went unheard. Sharing my stories with others, reminded me how important my story matters. I am grateful to be a part of this fellowship and make a change in education.”

Rouxana Pellicier

• Grade/Subject – 3rd and 4th, Resource/Inclusion
• Fellowship Advocacy Work – “My advocacy work focuses on the topic of teacher diversity. More specifically, creating an accessible pathway for underrepresented groups to access and be supported while enrolled in traditional teacher preparation programs.”
• What Did The Experience Mean To You? – “The Teacher Leader Policy Fellowship with JerseyCAN provided an opportunity for me to cultivate meaningful relationships, gain knowledge in the advocacy process and engage in multiple workshops which strengthened my understanding of advocacy.”

Jasmine Seegers

• Grade/Subject – 7th, English Language Arts
• Fellowship Advocacy Work – “My advocacy work entailed developing a diversity and equity leadership team to strategize, plan, and execute district goals for recruiting, hiring, and retaining high-quality teachers of color. Additionally, participating in whole-school cultural awareness training, increasing parent and community engagement, and providing equitable student learning opportunities.”
• What Did The Experience Mean To You? – “The fellowship provided me with the resources to define my advocacy goals and achieve them. As a result, through hard work and strategic planning, I am on track to significantly impact my district's students, teachers, and parents.”

Cedric Thorbes

• Grade/Subject – Administrator / School Culture, ELA, Humanities, Enrichment
• Fellowship Advocacy Work – “My advocacy work is grounded in shifting the singular mission of charter schools to prepare students for college to a more inclusive mission that will support all students within the school.”
• What Did The Experience Mean To You? – “JerseyCAN showed me I can make a change in the life of my students in and out of the classroom. The information gained during the fellowship gave me insight into how policy is made and what I can do as an education practitioner to ensure my voice is heard.”

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