In this, my last article written to you as President of NJTESOL/NJBE, I wish to look back as well as forward. These last two years have seen the end of the No Child Left Behind Act, though we still wait to see how the details that will make up the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act impact ELLs. We have seen a challenging economic situation ask all educators to do much more with much less. Most recently, we have seen forty eight states work together to create the first national standard for Language Arts Literacy and Mathematics.

       As an organization, NJTESOL/NJBE has seen its membership grow. It has hosted the two largest Spring Conferences yet, and continues to advocate on behalf of ELLs through the Legislative Conference, the release of a position paper on Literacy and ELLs in New Jersey, and constant commentary to the NJDOE and New Jersey Board of Education to be mindful of ELLs when making changes to curriculum, graduation requirements, and assessments.

       The rapidly approaching 2010 Spring Conference, 21st Learning for English Language Learners is just one example of our organization moving forward, while also doing more with less. This year’s conference promises to be a bonanza of workshops related to cutting edge technologies that allow our students to fully participate in their own learning. The NJTESOL/NJBE Executive Board looks forward to you joining us in this outstanding professional development opportunity. As described in this and the previous issue of VOICES, and as indicated on our website www.njtesol-njbe.org, we have many workshops to meet the needs of today’s teachers and professionals working with ELLs. In addition to our many workshops on technology and ELLS, there will be several sessions provided by the WIDA Consortium. This is a wonderful opportunity to discuss the ACCESS test with the designers themselves. Once again, we will hold the Legislative Conference so that you may participate in discussions with your legislators and members of the New Jersey Department of Education on current issues. Raquel Sinai, Lori Ramella, and Ericka Reed will continue their tradition of updating you on initiatives regarding ELLs as the NJDOE undergoes many changes this year. Also, remember that each of our special interest group representatives has created a slate of workshops to meet many of your most pressing needs. A fantastic Supervisors’ Strand is available for all interested parties, in addition to the supervisors and principals overseeing ELL programs. Invite your principal to come with you this year.

       We hope that you round out your conference participation by joining us for “An Evening with Dr. Allan DeFina” at 5:30 on the 18th of May, the first night of the conference. You can register separately for this outstanding event by going to our website www.njtesol-njbe.org, clicking on Spring Conference, and then Evening Event.

       As we continue to look forward, NJTESOL/NJBE is maintaining its commitment to “go green”. This year we will not be providing conference tote bags, so please be sure to bring a bag to corral all those wonderful goodies available at the publishers’ booths and to keep track of any handouts or contact information you may collect. In order to save paper, we will post many conference handouts online for reference after the conference.

       Last year, we conducted a “going green” survey regarding putting this newsletter “VOICES” on-line. The organization is now going forward and will publish only one paper issue [a mailed hard copy: Ed.] per year. The remaining three issues will be online. Be sure to update your e-mail address at the membership table at the conference so that you don’t miss a single issue. Finally, the Executive Board is looking into many ways we can use technology to improve our contact with, and support of, our members. Join the Hotlist, become fans of out Facebook page and follow our advocacy alerts on Twitter. Keep an eye out for upcoming institutes and training. We are even exploring the possibility of webinars or podcasts in the future.

       At the May 18th dinner, renowned author and educator, Judie Haynes, our current Vice President and Conference Chairperson, will be honored as the next President of NJTESOL/NJBE. Under her leadership NJTESOL/NJBE will continue to move forward into the 21st Century, using technology and innovation to support and advocate for ELLs.

       It has been an honor to write this column as president and I look forward to working with the organization in the future. It is my sincere hope that I see all of you on May 18 and 19. Please go to our website www.njtesol-njbe.org for updates on the conference, to stay abreast of advocacy issues, and to take advantage of the many resources the organization has to offer.

       See you at the conference and in cyberspace.

       Janina J. Kusielewicz is the current president of NJTESOL-NJBE