New Pathways to Teaching in NJ

50-Hour Introduction to Teaching (only offered as non-credit)

Semester 1

• First 8 weeks: All candidates take EDU 500 Classroom Management Workshop (1 credit) and EDU 645 Curriculum and Methods (3 credits)
• Second 8 weeks: All candidates take EDU 628 Learning and Motivation (3 credits)

Semester 2

Elementary Candidates

• First 8 weeks take LTED 605 Literacy in the Elementary Curriculum (3 credits)
• Second 8 weeks take EDU 694 Curriculum: Integrating Math/Science/Technology (3 credits)

Secondary Candidates

• First 8 weeks take LTED 607 Reading in the Secondary School (3 credits)
• Second 8 weeks take EDU 649 Secondary and Middle School Curriculum (3 credits)

Semester 3

Elementary Candidates

• First 8 weeks take EDU 684 Integrating Curriculum and Instruction: Including Diverse Populations 3 credits)
• Second 8 weeks take EDU 691 Curriculum Social Studies/World Cultures/Creative Arts (3 credits)

Secondary Candidates

• First 8 weeks take EDU 684 Integrating Curriculum and Instruction: Including Diverse Populations (3 credits)
• Second 8 weeks take EDU 616 Innovations in Teaching

Semester 4

• First 8 weeks all candidates take EDU 672 Internship Seminar and State Performance Assessment – edTPA (if not already completed) (2 credits)
• Second 8 weeks all candidates take EDU 693 Educational Assessment (3 credits)

Special Note: The NJDOE is giving alternate route candidates until August 31, 2019 to take edTPA by submitting a complete portfolio without needing a passing score. Because of this, in Spring 2019, all candidates will be offered the opportunity to take EDU 672 and complete edTPA.

New Pathways – English as a Second Language (in-person classes)

NPTNJ has a separate approved Alternate Route Program for ESL Teachers. Candidates must take all courses in-person and for credit. Courses in this program will transfer into the M.A. with ESL Specialization.

Course Sequence for ESL Alternate Route

• Semester 1  
  • MCC 627         Historical & Cultural Background of Limited English Proficient Students (3 credits)
  • MCC 611         Theories of Language Teaching (2 credits)
  • MCC 612         Observations of ESL (1 credit)

• Semester 2          
  • MCC 655         Methods of Teaching ESL (3 credits)
  • MCC 600         General Linguistics (3 credits)
  • LTED 635        Effective Literacy Strategies for English Language Learners OR (3 credits)
  • LTED 605        Literacy in the Elementary Curriculum OR (3 credits)
  • LTED 607        Reading in the Secondary School (3 credits)

• Semester 3          
  • MCC 604         Phonology & Structure of American English (3 credits)
  • MCC 603         Applied Linguistics with Emphasis on Second Language Experience (3 credits)
• Semester 4          
  • EDU 693          Educational Assessment (3 credits)
  • EDU 672          Internship Seminar and State Performance Assessment – edTPA (2 credits)

Total Credits    26       

For more information about this program, please contact Dr. Alexis Kim.

To apply to the program, you must enroll in NPTNJ and enroll in the graduate ESL alternate route program at the same time. Complete those applications here:

NPTNJ Application Form

ESL Alternate Route Application Form

Career and Technical Education (CTE)

• Agriculture
• Comprehensive Business
• Business: Accounting
• Business: Finance/Economics/Law
• Business: Keyboarding and Data Entry
• Business: Computer Applications: and Business-Related Information Technology
• Business: Office Administration/Office System Technology
• Family and Consumer Sciences
• Family and Consumer Sciences: Apparel, Textiles, and Interiors
• Family and Consumer Sciences: Child and Family Development
• Family and Consumer Sciences: Foods/Nutrition and Food Science
• Marketing

Certificate of Eligibility (CE)

• Elementary School Teacher in Grades K – 6
• Middle School Specialization: Mathematics in Grades 5 - 8
• Middle School with Specialization: Science in Grades 5 - 8
• Middle School with Specialization: Social Studies in Grades 5 - 8
• Middle School with Specialization: Language Arts/Literacy Specialization in Grades 5 - 8
• Middle School with Specialization: World Language/Spanish in Grades 5 - 8
• Art
• English
• Spanish
• Mathematics
• Music
• Biological Science
• Earth Science
• Physical Science
• Chemistry
• Social Studies
• Arabic
• Chinese
• French
• German
• Greek
• Health and Physical Education
• Health Education
• Hebrew
• Italian
• Japanese
• Korean
• Latin
• Middle School with Specialization: World Language/American Sign Language in Grades 5 - 8
• Middle School with Specialization: World Language/Arabic in Grades 5 - 8
• Middle School with Specialization: World Language/Chinese in Grades 5 - 8
• Middle School with Specialization: World Language/French in Grades 5 - 8
• Middle School with Specialization: World Language/German in Grades 5 - 8
• Middle School with Specialization: World Language/Greek in Grades 5 - 8
• Middle School with Specialization: World Language/Hebrew in Grades 5 - 8
• Middle School with Specialization: World Language/Italian in Grades 5 - 8
• Middle School with Specialization: World Language/Japanese in Grades 5 - 8
• Middle School with Specialization: World Language/Korean in Grades 5 - 8
• Middle School with Specialization: World Language/Latin in Grades 5 - 8
• Middle School with Specialization: World Language/Other World Languages in Grades 5 - 8
• Middle School with Subject matter Specialization: World Language/Polish in Grades 5 - 8
• Middle School with Specialization: World Language/Portuguese in Grades 5 - 8
• Middle School with Specialization: World Language/Russian in Grades 5 - 8
• Physics
• Portuguese
• Psychology
• Reading
• Russian
• Speech Arts and Dramatics
• Teacher of Supplemental Instruction in Reading and Mathematics, Grades K-8
• Technology Education
• Theater

New Jersey City University will offer free webinars to help provide a better understanding of the alternate route to teaching process and of New Pathways to Teaching in New Jersey (NPTNJ). The NPTNJ is now completely online and accessible to anyone in New Jersey. For over 10 years more than 2,000 professionals have completed the NPTNJ. Regulated and approved by the N.J. Department of Education, the NPTNJ offers a statewide alternate route teacher preparation program designed to provide candidates with the knowledge, skills and strategies necessary to become successful teachers. Upcoming webinars are located below and previously published webinars are located on the archived site.

NJCU New Pathways to Teaching

Tel: 201-200-2128

Fax: 201-200-3252

Email: newpathways@njcu.edu

Bergen Community College 

400 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ 07652

50-Hour Introduction to Teaching Course:

• Mondays 2/11 – 4/8 Face-to-face on 2/11, 3/18 and 4/8 (no class on 3/11); 6 – 10pm

• Wednesdays 3/20 – 5/8 Face-to-face on 3/20, 4/17, and 5/8; 6 – 10pm

• Saturdays 4/13-6/1 Face-to-face 4/13, 5/11, 6/1; 9am – 1pm

• Mondays 5/6 – 6/24 Face-to-face on 5/6, 6/3 and 6/24; 6 – 10pm

For more information, or to register for the course, please contact Andrea Schaffel, Program Supervisor

Brookdale Community College 

765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738-1543

50-Hour Introduction to Teaching Course

Sec 2: Sat, Mar 2-Apr 20, online and face to face

Face to face sessions: Sat, Mar 2 (9:30 am-noon), Mar 23 & Apr 20, (9:30-11:30 am)

For more information, or to register for the course, please contact Amy Yates 732-224-2158 or ayates@brookdalecc.edu

Rowan College at Burlington County 

Mount Laurel, NJ 08054

For information contact:  Dr. Carol Grant-Holmes at cgrant@rcbc.edu or 856 222-9311 EXT. 1468 for additional information or to register.

Camden County College 

200 College Drive, Blackwood, NJ 08012

For more information, or to register for the course, please contact Kaina Hanna, Career & Technical Institute of Camden County College by phone at (856) 874-6004 or by email at tradetraining@camdencc.edu

County College of Morris 

214 Center Grove Road, Randolph, NJ 07869
For more information , please contact: Irena Kaler (973) 328-5085 ikaler@ccm.edu

Cumberland County College 

60 W. Broad Street, Bridgeton, NJ 08302 
For more information, or to register for the course, please contact 856-776-2373

Essex County College 

On-Campus Continuing Education 
303 University Avenue, Newark, New Jersey 07102

50 Hour Intro class from July 17th to September 11. Our first Fall class will begin on September 21. Our Praxis Prep will begin on October 5. For more information, or to register for the course, please contact Everlyn Hay, NPTNJ Coordinator/Liason (973) 877-1869 or ehay@essex.edu

Hudson County Community College 

70 Sip Avenue, Unit 1, Jersey City, NJ 07306

50-Hour Introduction to Teaching Course $295

For more information, or to register for the course, please contact Luis Sosa Santiago at 201-360-4244 or 201-360-4232 or lsosasantiago@hcc.edu

Mercer County Community College 

1200 Old Trenton Road, Princeton Junction, NJ 08550 
For more information on upcoming classes, please contact Jigna Rao at raoj@mccc.edu at the Center for Continuing Studies. 

Middlesex County College 

2600 Woodbridge Avenue, Edison, NJ 08837 
For more information, or to register for the course, please contact Kimberlee Hooper at khooper@middlesexcc.edu 732-906-2554 or 732.548.6000 x3144

Ocean County College

College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08753

For more information, or to register for the course, please contact Karen Albrecht at kalbrecht@ocean.edu or 732-255-0409.

Union County College 

1033 Springfield Avenue, Cranford, NJ 07016

For more information, or to register for the course, please contact Annette Castro at castro@ucc.edu or 908- 709-7601, website: http://www.ucc.edu/nonCredit/ 

The Alternate Route is a certification program that allows qualified candidates to begin teaching after taking a 50-hour Introduction to Teaching course. The candidates then take the remaining two years of coursework while they are teaching. Alternate route candidates begin as a regular classroom teacher. They will have a mentor assigned to them–typically another teacher in the school—for the first year. They will have all the responsibilities and salary of a fully certified teacher and must obtain an effective summative evaluation rating in two of their first three years of teaching.

The Alternate Route is not an easier route to becoming a licensed teacher. It requires 400 hours of coursework, similar to a traditional teacher preparation program. A candidate must be able to learn on the job and be able to handle the workload of graduate-level classes while teaching. The advantage is that the candidate can start teaching right away and apply their knowledge in their own classroom.

For more information about the alternate route visit the NJDOE website.

Applying for a Certificate of Eligibility

1. Submit your application to the New Jersey State Department of Education (NJDOE) for a Certificate of Eligibility (CE). You will apply online.
2. Mail an official transcript to NJDOE.
3. Pass the Praxis II Subject Assessment test for the area you plan to teach. For the latest test requirements please visit the NJDOE web site or the Praxis test site.
4. Meet the Basic Skills Requirement. The NJDOE requires a passing score on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators tests or an exemption. For more information about test, refer to Test Requirements for Certification in NJ. 
5. For more specific information about the CE application process, you may visit the New Jersey State Department of Education web site.

What should I do while the state is reviewing my CE application?

• While the state is reviewing your application, you should register for the 50-hour Introduction to Teaching course. If you have met all the requirements for the Certificate of Eligibility (CE) , the NJDOE will issue your CE in  approximately  6 to 8 weeks. Once you have your CE, you can begin applying for a teaching position.

How do I check on the status of my CE application?

• Once your DOE online application has been processed you may check the status of your application by choosing “CHECK APPLICATION STATUS” on the DOE website.

How long is the CE valid? Does it expire?

• The CE is not a license and does not have an expiration date.

May I look for a job if I don’t have my CE?

• Yes, however you must inform your potential employer that your CE is in process. You cannot sign a contract without a CE.  If you have additional questions regarding the application process, contact NJDOE at (877) 900-6960 or check with your county office of education.

Does my teaching job have to be in the same area as my CE?

• Yes.  

What are the criteria for a teaching position?

• The position must be one in which you are eligible to be enrolled in the Provisional Teacher Program. Check with the hiring administrator in the district for which you are going to work to confirm that your  position is appropriate for the provisional teacher program. If so, you will be enrolled in the Provisional Teacher Program.

May I teach in a private or charter school in New Jersey?

• Yes. However, the school must be approved by the NJDOE and willing to enroll you in the Provisional Teacher Program. 

How can I find a job?

Here are just a few of the many resources available to help you find a teaching job:

• https://www.njhire.com
• https://www.njschooljobs.com/
• The employment opportunities section of your local county office

How do I earn the Standard Certificate (SC)?

• After you have successfully passed each of the four semesters of New Pathways, successfully taught for two years, and completed one year of mentoring, you can apply to the NJDOE for a Standard Certificate.

How do I apply to the program?

Click here to access the online application: https://www.njcu.edu/academics/new-pathways-teaching-nj-nptnj/nptnj-online-application

Application into the 50-Hour Introduction to Teaching class requires the following:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• A cumulative 2.75 GPA (if you graduated prior to September 2016) or a 3.0 GPA (if you graduated after September 2016) or higher from a bachelor’s or master’s degree program.
• Send your official transcript to newpathways@njcu.edu

Once your materials have been approved, you may register for the 50-Hour class held online via NJCU or in-person at one of the participating community colleges. 

Do I need to have a Bachelor’s Degree to enroll in this program?

• Yes

May I enroll in this program if I have an Associate’s Degree?

• No

If I already have a Master’s Degree may I enroll in this program?

• Yes

What is the minimum grade point average for the program?

• If you graduated with a Bachelor’s degree prior to September 1, 2016 your grade point average must be a 2.75.
• If you graduated with a Bachelor’s degree after September 1, 2016 your grade point average must be a 3.0.

If the grade point average for my Bachelor’s degree is below the minimum required for this program, but I have a Master’s degree with a higher grade point average may I use that instead?

• Yes, transcripts other than those for a Bachelor’s degree are accepted to meet the GPA requirement as long as they meet or pass the required GPA of the specific graduation time frame referenced in the previous answer. The GPA must be from a degree program (such as a Masters or Doctoral degree) and not just a set of courses.

Do I need to submit a transcript with my application?

• Yes. You will also need to submit a copy of your CE to begin Semester 1 courses.

What is the minimum course grade requirement?

• You must earn a grade of B or better in all coursework. A grade of B- or lower is unacceptable and the course must be repeated.

What if I have a degree from outside the United States?

• You will need to have your transcript evaluated by a third party organization course-by-course evaluation, to include an overall GPA, indicating that the applicant's education is equivalent to a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited U.S. institution, with a GPA of at least 3.0. 
• Visit the NACES web site for more information and a current list of accredited agencies. 

If I previously completed the Introduction to Teaching class under the initial Pathways program do I need to re-take the new 50-hour Pre-Service class?

• If you completed the Introduction to Teaching class under the Pathways program prior to September 2017 you have until August 2022 to enroll in a special 24-hour Bridge class. You should contact the New Pathways Liaison at the college you attended and they will direct you to a Bridge course that will provide you with the additional hours and requirements of New Pathways. All other candidates must enroll in the 50-hour Pre-Service class.

If I previously completed Stage I of the program before Fall 2017 what do I do?

• If you completed Stage I prior to Fall 2017, we will count the hours or credits you earned and apply them to the new program. You will not have to repeat those hours.

Do I need to have a job prior to enrolling in the First Semester of New Pathways?

• No, however the course assignments are done with students in the classroom, so it helps to have a job in a school, such as a long-term substitute or a teaching assistant. It is preferable to get a job as soon as you can since you will also need to complete two full years in the Provisional Teacher Program in order to apply for your Standard Certificate.

What is the difference between the non-credit certification only option and the graduate credit option?

• There is no difference in the classroom experience; all coursework, including assignments and readings, are identical. The difference is that the credit option provides you with up to 24 graduate credits from New Jersey City University that you can use towards a Master’s degree. Therefore, while all students who complete the program receive the required  “Verification of Program Completion” form to submit to the NJDOE, only the students who completed  the courses or credit will see those courses on a transcript.

What are the advantages to taking the NPTNJ program for graduate credit?

• This provides an excellent opportunity to accomplish a goal:becoming a licensed teacher and beginning a Master’s Degree program. The courses and requirements are the same for all NPTNJ students regardless of registration status.The graduate credit is a way to capitalize on the hard work completed throughout the program. The NJCU Masters Programs that accept NPTNJ credits provides additional information.
• Candidates have five years from the time they start the program to convert non-credit tuition to graduate credit tuition.
• Teachers with a graduate degree often earn more compared to those with a Bachelors.

What do I need to do if I want to pursue a master’s degree after I complete NPTNJ?

• You need to apply to a degree program at NPTNJ. The NJCU Masters Programs that accept NPTNJ credits provide additional information.

If I completed New Pathways as a non-credit student but wanted to convert non-credits to graduate credits is that possible?

• Yes. You may convert your non-credits to graduate credits.

What is required for dual Certification in ESL, TOSD, or Bilingual? 

You may complete dual certification in English as a Second Language, Teacher of Students with Disabilities, or Bilingual Education while doing NPTNJ. Candidates pursuing these certificates will have six years to complete the coursework.

ESL: We have a separate, approved program in ESL. Click here for more information. (add link to overview page that describes the program) To enroll in this program click here.

TOSD: You will enroll in NPTNJ and in Graduate Studies for TOSD concurrently. Complete the application for NPTNJ. You must also enroll in Graduate Studies at NJCU by completing this application. For information on required courses for TOSD, please contact Dr. Carol Fleres.

• Candidates take both sets of courses at the pace that is best for them. They might, for example, take one course in SPEC and one course from NPTNJ during the same semester. The NJDOE is giving them 6 years to get all the courses done.
• The following NPTNJ courses are accepted into the TOSD program:
  • EDU 500 Classroom Management (1 Credit)
  • EDU 628 Learning and Motivation (3 Credits)
  • EDU 693 Educational Assessment (3 Credits)
  • EDU 652 Student Teaching Internship and Seminar (2 Credits)
  • LTED 641 Reading and the School Curriculum (3 Credits)
• Candidates may want to take the above courses for credit so they can complete the MAT in Special Ed. They can take those for credit and the rest of the NPTNJ courses for non-credit if they choose. The Special Ed courses must be taken for credit.

Bilingual: You will enroll in NPTNJ and in Graduate Studies for Bilingual Education concurrently. Complete the application for NPTNJ.

You must also enroll in Graduate Studies at NJCU by completing this application.

For information on required courses for Bilingual Education, please contact Dr. Alexis Kim.

The following NJCU graduate degree programs accept course credits from NPTNJ. Please contact the appropriate department chairperson for more information and be sure the advisor knows you have credits from NPTNJ. Learn more on how to apply for matriculation into a degree program.

Elementary/Secondary Education: Please contact Dr. Morales, Department Chair.

M.A.T. in Elementary or Secondary Education – 24 credits accepted; additional 12 credits needed for M.A.T. Degree.

Educational Technology: Please contact Dr. Zieger, Department Chair.

M.A. in Educational Technology – 15 credits accepted; additional 21 credits needed for M.A. Degree.

MA in Educational Technology with School Library Media Specialist certification – 12 credits accepted, additional 24 credits needed for certification. Please contact Dr. Zieger, Department Chair.

Special Education: Please contact either Department Co-Chair: Dr. Fleres or Dr. Taylor.

M.A.T. in Special Education – 12 credits converted from NPTNJ; additional 24 credits needed for eligibility to apply for the Teacher of Students with Disabilities endorsement and M.A.T. degree.

Multicultural Education: Please contact Dr. Kim, Department Chair.

M.A. in English as a Second Language –3 credits accepted; additional 21 credits needed to apply for ESL endorsement.

M.A. in Bilingual Education – 3 credits accepted; additional 18 credits needed to apply for Bilingual endorsement.

The GPA requirements for obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility and entering the Alternate Route are set by the New Jersey Department of Education and we cannot change them nor waive those requirements. In order to enter any Alternate Route program in New Jersey you must have a 3.0 if you graduated after Sept. 2016 or a 2.75 if you graduate before that date. If your GPA is lower than this, you are NOT eligible for any Alternate Route program.

You may still be able to pursue a teaching career by entering a TRADITIONAL teacher preparation program: https://nj.gov/education/educators/newteacher/ . If you can gain entry and complete a full teacher preparation program, you can re-establish a new GPA at the end of that program, and then apply for a Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing. In a traditional teacher preparation program, you complete your coursework and clinical practice hours (i.e. student teaching) before applying for your certification. The challenge will be gaining entry into a traditional teaching preparation program. It may be possible to complete a program as a post-baccalaureate candidate or to transfer in credits from your previous degree and complete a second bachelor’s degree. The following is a list of institutions that have traditional teacher preparation programs: https://www.state.nj.us/education/educators/rpr/preparation/traditional/programs.pdf

Our recommendation is to contact a representative from one of these institutions to determine their admission policies for their traditional teacher preparation programs.

To view one of the previously hosted New Pathways webinars click on a title below and register. Upon registration you will be able to view the webinar.

• NPTNJ webinar series: Special Education Did you know that obtaining MAT in Special Education in NJCU satisfies the NJDOE regulation and up to 12 NPTNJ credits count toward this degree? Join us to learn about MAT in Special Education. The presenter will also share a grant opportunity, and tips you can implement in your classroom.
• NPTNJ webinar series: ESL/Bilingual Education Do you have the CE in ESL education? If so, did you also know that in order to satisfy the NJDOE regulation, you need to also enroll in ESL certification program? Upon completion of the 26 credit program, you will be eligible to be employed as an ESL teacher and receive the Provisional License. Join us to learn about the ESL certification program. How the credits can be applied toward a Master’s degree program in ESL will also be shared.
• NPTNJ Topic: You are a New Pathways Student- Now what?: You have your CE, you completed your Pre-service and you have been accepted or have move forward in New Pathways. Now what?!? This webinar cover what is expected of you and what you can expect from the program.
• NPTNJ webinar series: Educational Technology: Did you know that you can transfer up to 15 NPTNJ credits into a Master’s degree in Educational Technology? The Ed Tech classes are completely online and require no tests or exams (all project-based work). Join us to learn about two of the options, MA in Educational Technology and MA in Educational Technology with School Library Media Specialist certification. The presentation will also include tips about user-friendly and free online tools you can use for teaching and learning.
• How to obtain CEs (Certificate of Eligibility): Join us to learn about how to obtain CEs (Certificate of Eligibility) from NJDOE. Once you obtain CE, you can apply to one of our alternate route programs we offer at NJCU (P-3, or NPTNJ serving K-12 in all instructional certificates).
• K12 Alternate Route Program (NPTNJ) Virtual Information Session: Join us to learn more about NPTNJ, New Pathways to Teaching in NJ, a state-wide alternate route program for K-12.
• NPTNJ webinar series: Elementary/Secondary Education: Up to 24 NPTNJ credits count toward a Master’s degree in Elementary and Secondary Ed at NJCU. Join us to learn about MAT in Elementary Education and MAT in Secondary Education. The presenter will also share successful teaching and classroom management tips you can implement in your classroom.

The New Pathways to Teaching in New Jersey Candidate Handbook contains important information to review prior to, and during, your time in the program.

Please review the information in this PowerPoint presentation to learn how to obtain your Standard Certification.

I was one of those college students who ambitiously soaked up knowledge only to earn a degree that didn’t land me a desirable job. After graduation, I worked in a series of entry-level positions. When I entered unemployment due to management shifts in one of those positions, I knew I needed to find a new route. I stumbled upon a train named New Pathways and soon after embarked on a new journey.

The trip has been long and at times fatiguing, but it has afforded me much: multiple teaching certificates and teaching assignments, a counseling license, post-graduate studies at Princeton University, and even a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. I currently work as a high school special education teacher during the day, and as a licensed therapist some nights. I anticipate a school counseling position commencing this September and foresee doctoral preparation over the summer, so the journey continues. Thank you, New Pathways, for keeping me on the rail!

-Melissa R., High school special education teacher
 

I completed the New Pathways to Teaching Program in 2010 after graduating with a Marketing degree and spending several years in the corporate world as an account manager. 

When I decided to become an educator, it was not too difficult a decision and the New Pathways program made the journey enjoyable. During my first year of teaching I was able to use many of the strategies learned in class.

The classroom conversations were phenomenal and very helpful. I taught fifth grade for 5 years and I taught 8th grade math for one. I took the course credit option and completed my masters through Central Michigan University.

Getting my degree opened the door for me to become the curriculum coordinator for my school while I was still teaching. After teaching 8th grade I moved into a coaching position which I have been in for three years now.

Dawn W., Elementary Teacher
 

As the eldest daughter of a first generation immigrant family, cultural expectations influenced my decision to pursue a career in math and science. Two years into a competitive PharmD program, I realized my passion was not in medicine, but in the art of being a teacher that empowered the lives of young minds. The New Pathways to Teaching in New Jersey program at NJCU gave me the opportunity to manifest my dream into reality by taking an alternate route to teaching. In the NPTNJ program, I was fortunate to learn from incredibly talented, experienced, and respected educators.

My professors guided me through the pedagogy behind setting high expectations in the classroom while engaging students with highly effective lessons through my instructional design and delivery. My experience at NJCU has been filled with growth and would not have been possible without the commitment, support, and staff of the NPTNJ program. As a New Pathways graduate, I am dedicated to giving back to my community as an innovative teacher that brings excitement and inquiry to the classroom. I currently teach 4th grade at Jersey City Global Charter School and love coming to work each day.

My days are spent closing the achievement gap by teaching my students how to think critically and set high standards for themselves while providing them with a rigorous academic core curriculum that challenges their creative talents and celebrates their diversity. I believe that all my students are stars. The New Pathways program at NJCU helped me find my light and shine on for my students and future.

-Marium T., Elementary teacher
 

Becoming a teacher was the most fulfilling career decision I’ve ever made. Being able to teach and encourage children to learn is such an amazing purpose in life. I would not have been able to attain this goal without the New Pathways program at NJCU. I can honestly say going back to school at NJCU has change my life forever!

-Patrick B., Elementary art teacher
 

When I made the decision to become a teacher, I did not know where to turn. I was eventually pointed in the direction of New Pathways to Teaching in New Jersey at RCBC. What I found was a program that was devoted to me as a person and as a professional. Throughout Stage I and Stage II, I found a cohort of peers who were going through the same celebrations and struggles with me. I found professors who were willing and eager to teach me. And lastly, though I am now done with the program and have been teaching for two years, I retain a support system which has enriched my teaching career and my life.

-Chris Q., Elementary teacher