Teachers who took part in our December 2021 Twitter Chat addressing safe learning environments reported increased capacity for reducing incidents of harassment, intimidation and bullying in schools. Because school safety is vital for student academic performance and their social-emotional well-being, it is important that new teachers gain awareness and confidence in this area early in their careers.

As one of the many alternate route teaching programs in New Jersey, the Rutgers Alternate Route program recognizes the potential for technology in education and leverages the power of social media to support increasing competency in this area for new teachers. The program hosts Twitter Chats attended by current teaching candidates, course instructors, and guest commentators who are seasoned education professionals and savvy users of social media. In an hour-long synchronized group discussion, candidates volley ideas that expand their knowledge of tools and practices. The overwhelming majority of candidates leave the chat energized and inspired to try new practices and explore new tools. They also express feeling understood and less alone thanks to the transparency of other chat participants.

It's no secret that teachers are among the best resources when it comes to finding great educational websites and apps for teaching and learning. It's also no secret that teachers are among some of the busiest professionals and appreciate saving time whenever possible. 

That's why teachers at Rutgers Alternate Route have done the leg work of plowing through hundreds of websites to share with other teachers their go-to resources for supporting learning in their content areas. They have curated a list of mostly free teacher resources that we've categorized by subject area to make it easy to quickly identify something useful. What's more, each resource includes a hyperlink to the site and a brief rationale for why it made the teacher's toolbox.

Educators have a huge opportunity to create a safe space and positive mental-health experience for students of military families. Students spend a big chunk of time in the classroom and if they feel seen, supported and understood, their learning experience can be transformed. 

Luckily for educators, supporting students of military families simply means taking the tools you already have and adapting them to a new situation. Below are six ways you can transform learning for your students living the military life. 

We want our candidates to feel prepared and confident as they begin their respective edTPA journeys, which is why we recently held virtual sessions on how to support educators as they gear up for their own edTPA experience. In the session, we focused on some areas where veteran teachers can help new teachers feel prepared and confident to take on the edTPA. 

When financial educator Yanely Espinal started her third-and-fourth-grade teaching career in Brooklyn, she didn’t have the resources or awareness to be financially literate. Her experience echoes that of many professionals, particularly educators. 

Rutgers Alternate Route had the pleasure of featuring Espinal as a guest speaker at the 2021-2022 kickoff meeting for our Diverse Teachers for Diverse Schools initiative. During the virtual meeting, Espinal shared general tips on financial planning and goal setting and encouraged attendees to consult recommended financial planning resources to advance  their financial literacy. 

Equity in learning is key to student success. In order to create an equitable learning experience, though, educators must create an equitable environment where all students feel safe to be themselves. In October, LGBTQ+ History Month reminds us exactly how important it is to cultivate these spaces.

Hispanic Heritage Month traditionally honors the contributions of famous achievers of Spanish, Mexican, Caribbean, Central American and South American heritage. It’s equally important to recognize the contributions of lesser-known local achievers of Hispanic descent whose accomplishments are also noteworthy.

Many of these local achievers are working in classrooms leading change while helping students thrive academically and personally. They’ve left other professions to serve as teachers, bringing with them unique backgrounds and experiences that help them inspire their students daily.

And, at a time when districts nationwide are working to diversify their teaching staff, these educators are answering the call to provide representation and high-quality education to students of all backgrounds. Many of their lived experiences reflect the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) data indicating that Latinx students are the least likely in the United States to have a teacher who looks like them. As teachers, they are actively working to change this statistic one classroom at a time.

Rutgers Alternate Route proudly presents six teachers making a difference in school districts in our state. Learn about their journey to change lives through teaching while addressing the demand for an increasingly diverse teaching force.

"Professional learning must go on" should be the collective slogan of New Jersey educators. Their passion for sharpening their skills and knowledge to better serve students has not waned despite the pandemic, and education organizations across the state of New Jersey have responded with opportunities for supporting that drive.  As in previous years, the Rutgers Alternate Route Program has made it easy for New Jersey teachers and leaders to identify PD opportunities for the fall season. The below list of offerings are hosted by state-based professional associations, local universities and grassroots education groups. The majority of workshops, conferences and trainings are free and low-cost; AND MANY ARE VIRTUAL! A select few may require financial investment from your district.