South Jersey Summer Institute for Educators

The South Jersey Summer Institute for Educators — a unique and influential program that connects leaders in business and education — wrapped up last week. Its impact will resonate in the region for years to come. The program, which began back in 1991 to help the education community keep pace with the changes that have occurred in the regional business community, has developed into a regional force, one that gives educators an inside look at how businesses operate today — thus enabling them to better prepare their students for the workforce they will enter. The Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey, which has long played a leading role in the region, runs the three-week program. Its CEO, Christina M. Renna, said the Summer Institute is as important as any of the hundreds of programs the chamber organizes. “The goal of the institute is to build a link between the business and education communities,” she said. “It’s truly a win-win-win situation as both groups learn from each other — allowing them to better serve the students in the region. Click here to read more about this incredible program and thank you to ROI-NJ for the great coverage: https://ow.ly/v3mb50SMvIe

It’s time for us to say goodbye to the AMAZING 17 educators who comprise the Summer Institute Class of 2024! Thank you for embracing the lessons learned and inspiring us, as well as each other, with your unique insights, teaching styles and personalities. Cheers to another successful year!

It all comes together in the end. The Class of 2024 spent time throughout the last three weeks collaborating on group projects that encompass the lessons they learned from our partners in the business community - and they didn’t disappoint! These projects will be used to shape their lesson plans throughout the 2024-2025 school year and to communicate and share ideas with their colleagues about the program.

A beautiful celebration for a beautiful group of educators. Last night, the Institute held their Closing Dinner Celebration honoring the Class of 2024. Our keynote speaker, Dr. Michael Gorman, President of Salem Community College told stories of the impact teachers have had on him throughout his career - good, bad and ugly - and we heard from two members of the Class, who discussed the impact the Institute has had on them and the lessons they learned throughout our three weeks together. A fitting night honoring South Jersey educators who give so much to assure their students, our future workforce, are prepared for the future.

The program is nearly over but it wouldn’t be complete without an appearance from Denise Monahan of Wilmington Trust! Denise talked about the importance of financial education, and then gave an inspirational talk about the important role educators play in their students lives and why hard work is critical to success, regardless how one defines it. A great morning before graduation night!

The Summer Institute simply doesn’t work without our trusty transportation provider, Gateway Regional School District. Thank you to our bus driver this year, Yolanda Still, who made sure we got everywhere safely and on time.

Time really flies when you’re having fun! It’s so hard to believe that our final two tours of the 2024 Summer Institute are over, and what an amazing day to wrap up our off-site visits. We spent the day in Vineland first touring Worldwide Glass Resources and learning about their manufacturing of scientific glassware. Then, we headed across town to South Jersey Glass & Door where the Class heard from a panel of employees about what led them to the company and toured their incredible facility where they distribute glass products for both residential and commerical use.

Today, the Class of 2024 had the best time learning about the IUOE Local 825 at their Training Center in South Brunswick. They saw how people train to use their machinery on simulators, and the educators even had a chance to try out some of the equipment themselves! A great day learning about the jobs available to students interested organized labor or looking for an alternate route post-graduation.

The final week of the Institute is here and we kicked off the week with two incredibly interesting tours plus a great panel. First, we visited IPAK in Camden, which is a small female-owned manufacturing company that does all types of printing and packaging. Then, we headed to Delran where we heard a panel discussion on the region’s utility and communications companies and wrapped up with a tour of NJ American Water’s water treatment plant in Delran.

Week Two: Done! We wrapped up the week visiting PSEG’s Energy & Environmental resource Center in Salem County, where the group learned about nuclear energy production and the important role it plays in the world’s energy landscape. From there the Class headed to Hope Creek Generating Station where they were able to tour the nuclear simulator and visit the base of the cooling tower. See everyone on Monday!