My name is Shaina Brenner, and I teach second grade at Elms Elementary School in Jackson. I’m thrilled to share a hopeful, positive message with you as we continue to embark on the 2023-2024 school year. October 5th marks World Teachers’ Day, which was established in 1994 to celebrate the work of teachers. Fittingly, last October, I had the honor of being presented with the prestigious, highly coveted Milken Educator Award. What I witnessed was an entire community (and beyond) come together to celebrate and honor a teacher. What a spectacular notion! That experience is one I will cherish forever, and I wish I could share the immense joy and sense of accomplishment I felt that day with each of you.

Let’s face it… recognizing teachers is important work! We play such a vital role in shaping the future of our students and the world. Whether you’re new to the profession or a veteran, we all are incredibly talented, dedicated, and deserving of recognition. During the month of October, it is my sincere hope that you take time to celebrate your accomplishments as an educator. It is also a time to look ahead to the future with strength, resiliency, and hope—like we teachers do best.

Happy World Teachers’ Day to my fellow New Jersey educators. Keep inspiring, keep innovating, and keep believing in the power of your dreams and the unique gifts you have to offer your students.

The New Jersey Department of Education’s (Department) County Offices of Education are responsible for ensuring school districts across the state implement rules and regulations, including monitoring and evaluating compliance with the requirements of the New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum (NJQSAC) to ensure districts are providing all students a thorough and efficient education. The county offices assist districts in meeting their statutory requirements by providing training, support and technical assistance in addition to interpreting state education policies, rules and regulations to district staff, board of education members, parents and the general public.

Each county office is led by an Executive County Superintendent (ECS). They and their staff in each county office provide leadership to districts in educational planning and program improvement while coordinating and approving key fiscal, educational facility and transportation services. ECSs ensure district boards of education comply with regulations regarding administrative contracts they approve for Chief School Administrators and Business Administrators. Our ECSs are a group of experienced educational leaders that conduct monthly roundtable meetings with district superintendents and leadership teams to inform them of their legal responsibilities while promoting a universal understanding and implementation of key Department initiatives and policies. ECSs act as liaisons to the Commissioner of Education and maintain open communication on behalf of the Commissioner with districts, charter and renaissance schools, parents, community constituents and educational advocacy groups. Finally, ECSs act as members of the boards of special service school districts, vocational school districts, county colleges, workforce investment boards and juvenile justice committees.

The Department’s County Offices of Education remain an exemplary extension of our work and epitomize our core values that ensure all students, regardless of zip code, are prepared for postsecondary success. The Commissioner of Education extended her appreciation of County Offices by awarding them the New Jersey Department of Education’s superior team excellence award in June of 2023. Please visit the County Offices of Education webpage for more information.