It is with heartfelt thanks and gratitude, along with a touch of sadness, that we announce the imminent retirement of two outstanding leaders on the NJPSA/FEA senior staff. FEA Chief Executive Officer Jay Doolan and NJPSA Assistant Executive Director Chuck Stein will retire on June 30.
Jay Doolan has worked with FEA for nine years and has been in the position of CEO since 2013. Under Jay’s leadership, FEA has provided the highest quality of professional learning for NJ educators and leaders and has expanded the number and variety of topics available at the FEA Conference Center, as well as regional locations throughout New Jersey. Jay was also instrumental in growing the attendance at the annual Fall Conference and in the development of the New Jersey Leadership Academy, as well as numerous other important initiatives for the organization.
Before joining FEA, Jay was the assistant commissioner for the Division of Educational Standards and Programs at the NJ Department of Education. In this position, he was responsible for the development and implementation of the Core Curriculum Content Standards, the statewide assessment system, and the secondary transformation initiative. He also oversaw the operations of the following offices: Academic Standards, State Assessments, Math and Science Education, Language Arts Literacy Education, Career and Technical Education, Charter Schools, Professional Standards, Licensing, and Higher Education Collaboration. Prior to this, he served as director of several offices, including: Academic and Professional Standards, Direct Services, Urban Education, Bilingual Education, and Education for Homeless Children and Youth. He also worked in the Camden City Public Schools and served in the Peace Corps as a teacher in Turkey and Ghana. In his retirement, Jay plans to continue traveling the world and visiting many exotic locations.
Chuck Stein has served as NJPSA assistant executive director of NJPSA since 1996. In that capacity he works with field and legal services offering assistance to members with problems and working with our field representatives and attorneys. He also has developed an aspiring principals program, which has assisted hundreds of teachers in taking their first steps towards becoming a school administrator. In addition Chuck has conducted numerous principal searches for school districts across the state. These include both searches for interim and permanent positions. Prior to joining NJPSA’s staff, Chuck served as a teacher in NYC, vice principal in Perth Amboy for four years and a high school principal in Monroe Twp. for 22 years. Chuck also serves on a number of state committees, including The NJ Human Relations Council, The NJ Association for Supervisors of Health and Physical Education, The Vocational and Technical Education Committee. In his retirement, Chuck will be enjoying warmer winters in his new home in Florida.
While we will sorely miss Jay and Chuck going forward, we are pleased to announce a succession plan that will ensure a smooth transition. As of July 1, 2018, Bob Murphy, Director of Retirement Services, will move into the position of Assistant Director of NJPSA while retaining his current role overseeing retirement services. Before joining the staff of NJPSA nearly six years ago, Bob served the association as President (2011-12), as a member of the Board of Directors (2006-2012), Council member and State Coordinator for NASSP (2008-2012). He also served on a number of NJPSA committees over the years. Bob began his career as a vocal music teacher in Piscataway and then served as the Fine Arts Supervisor, Adult School Co-Director and finally Assistant Principal at North Brunswick HS. Bob served as a middle school Principal in Middletown before finishing his career as the principal of East Brunswick HS. He was recognized in 2006 as the NASSP – NJPSA/Metlife HS Principal of the Year.
Also on July 1, 2018, Dr. Donna McInerney, the current Director of Professional Development and Design, will become the CEO of FEA. Donna’s expertise and leadership has helped NJPSA and FEA to build many quality professional learning opportunities. She has been instrumental in working with the CAR pilot schools and in the development of the New Jersey Leadership Academy, among numerous other programs. A former high school Social Studies teacher and supervisor, she earned her doctorate from the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University, specializing in curriculum theory and development. Over the last 15 years she has been an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Graduate Education, Leadership and Counseling at Rider University and currently teaches at The College of New Jersey. Donna has provided professional learning experiences on a wide variety of topics including the Connected Action Roadmap, research-based instructional strategies, classroom management techniques, problem-based learning, differentiated instruction, curriculum integration, cooperative learning, teacher evaluation and the development of student growth objectives. Her most recent work has focused on the instructional leadership skills and coherent frameworks needed to improve teacher practice, drive student achievement and ensure systemic, sustained, school improvement.