JA of New Jersey’s Professional Development Workshops Provide Support for Teachers

February 22, 2022, Edison, NJ - Retaining a high-quality teaching workforce is critical, particularly while New Jersey school districts have been constantly adapting to new challenges, which has propelled chronic teacher shortages across New Jersey. At a time when school district budgets are further strained as a result of the pandemic, and teachers need support, JA of New Jersey (JANJ) remains steadfast in its commitment to helping teachers empower students through financial literacy education through Professional Development workshops. Thanks to an incredible ongoing business-education partnership with organizations such as The Provident Bank Foundation (PBF), JANJ has been a no-cost educational solution provider for decades to all schools and students statewide.

Leading a critical effort as the financial literacy education provider of choice to New Jersey schools, JANJ’s partnership with the NJ Department of Education (NJDOE) helps ensure financial literacy instruction is anchored through the appropriate channels and guidelines via Professional Development workshops. Through this alliance, these workshops are readily accessible on-demand to teachers, providing relevant, timely information on the revised educational standards for financial literacy with access to quality resources and curriculum. The ease of delivery of these vital resources ensures equity, accessibility, and gives JANJ the opportunity for a much wider reach across the Garden State. Ultimately, these workshops offer support to teachers, with every participant receiving a certificate recognized by the NJ Department of Education.

It is important for teachers to have a say in the curriculum they teach, the classroom practices they follow, the teaching materials they use, as well as their own professional development. The Professional Development workshops provide a convenient way for teachers to explore financial literacy resources, find support and solutions, and build positive learning communities that foster collaboration. Given the teacher shortages and mounting stress for educators, Professional Development workshops serve as a practical turnkey solution. “As our teachers continue to face the challenges of student learning loss and behavior issues, swelling class sizes and staff shortages, curriculum changes and COVID restrictions, much of the focus has been on core subjects like language arts and math,” says Christy Biedron, Director, Education and Development at JANJ. “However, lacking financial literacy and not knowing how to manage one’s personal finances carries a high cost, and we’re happy to support our educators with solutions and engaging curriculum that’s simple to use and aligns to NJ’s academic standards.”

As a partner, The Provident Bank Foundation has been a champion of the JA mission to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy, which perfectly aligns with their Education priority grants. Established in 2003, The Provident Bank Foundation provides support not-for-profit groups, institutions, schools and other 501(c)(3) organizations aiming to improve the quality of life in the communities served by Provident Bank.

As New Jersey begins to shift its focus on its economic recovery, JANJ’s commitment to providing pathways to success for young people will continue to be a top priority, by ensuring teachers who participate in Professional Development workshops are equipped with resources to help educators meet NJ's Financial Literacy graduation requirements.

JANJ’s Professional Development workshop series, in collaboration with the NJ Department of Education, continues February 24th with a virtual session that gives teachers the information and support they need now to prepare their students for career and financial success. The workshop is free, and participants receive a PD certificate from Junior Achievement. To learn more about Professional Development workshops for teachers, click here.

About Junior Achievement of New Jersey (JANJ):

JANJ is an award-winning, best-in-class JA operation. With its headquarters and Capstone programs located in the JA Education Center, in Raritan Center, Edison, NJ, JANJ is a free educational resource dedicated to giving all young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success and plan for their futures. JA’s learning experiences primarily focus on career readiness, financial empowerment, entrepreneurship, and life skills, and are held at the JA Education Center, in schools, on college/university campuses, in corporate facilities, and online through digital learning experiences. For more information, visit janj.org and follow JANJ on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.