NJTESOL/NJBE 2019 Spring Conference

Advocate Fred Carrigg and first NJTESOL/NJBE president Janet Susi at the 2019 Spring Conference

Our 50th annual Spring Conference; cELLebrate: Celebrating the Success of Bilingual, Dual, & English Language Learners was held on May 29, 30, & 31, 2019 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Our keynotes were Lisa Tabaku, the Director of Global Language and Culture at the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL), who discussed the academic and biological-social-emotional needs of students with interrupted formal education; Madeline Mavrogordato, Ph.D, an associate professor of K-12 educational administration at the College of Education, Michigan State University, who spoke about closing achievement gaps for English learners using data and education policy; and Dr. Alfredo Quinones-Hinojosa, who shared his personal story of how he became a renowned surgeon, scientist, innovator, and philanthropist after once being a migrant farm worker. Thank you to all of our volunteers, executive board members, and sponsors for making this year’s conference so successful.

Some of the NJTESOL/NJBE executive board members trying out the 50th-anniversary photo booth

Seal of Biliteracy Parent Award with New Jersey Department of Education, Bilingual/ESL Educational Specialist, Jacqueline Leon

This year since it was our 50th, many of the NJTESOL/NJBE past presidents were in attendance. Fred Carrigg, one of the organization’s first outspoken advocates, was also in attendance and addressed the executive board during a meeting.

Website/ Social Media

Visit our website https://njtesol-njbe.org/ to view highlights from the 2019 Spring Conference or to learn more about our organization. Find us on Facebook, Instagram (@njtesolnjbe), and Twitter (@NJTESOL_NJBE).

If you are interested in collaborating with NJTESOL/NJBE feel free to contact Liaison, lmatthews@njtesol-njbe.org

LeighAnn Matthews, NJTESOL/NJBE Liaison, is an ESL Instructional Coach at Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District in Bridgewater, New Jersey. She is also a part-time lecturer at Rutgers University. During the summer months, she teaches English as a Foreign Language at Rider University Study Tours Program.