Acclaimed Rutgers Alternate Route Instructor Sets The Bar For New Teachers In Program

Instructors of the Rutgers Alternate Route program are more than veterans in the field. Many of our instructors have personal experience transitioning from classroom teaching to fruitful careers as education leaders, and are renowned as results-driven educators. They are exemplary role models for the career changers, substitute teachers and other degree holders who choose to begin their journey towards becoming a certified teacher with us.

Thus, news that Alternate Route instructor, Dr. Tammy Bowling-Jenkins, was named the 2017 Visionary Principal of the Year by the New Jersey Principal and Supervisors Association (NJPSA) came as little surprise. This award recognizes excellence in leadership, innovation, and school success. Nominations for the award were accepted from districts across the state of New Jersey.

Dr. Jenkins is a founding instructor of the Rutgers Center for Effective School Practices (CESP) Alternate Route Teacher Training Program and an annual co-convener of the Alternate Route Teacher Conference. Dr. Jenkins has over 20 years of teaching and school leadership experience. She currently serves as principal of Sunnymead Elementary School, a National Blue Ribbon School in the Hillsborough Township Public School District. Sunnymead Elementary has the highest percentage of students living at or near the poverty level of all nine schools in the Hillsborough district. Despite clear socio-economic disadvantages, Sunnymead students perform at the highest levels in the district. In recognition of her school leadership accomplishments, Dr. Jenkins has also been named the New Jersey recipient of the 2017 National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) National Distinguished Principal of the Year Award.