A.C.C.E.S.S.

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Who We Are

The NJEA ACCESS model was created as a support system for schools designated as Priority and Focus  Schools under the No Child Left Behind Act. Our program was named after the NEA initiative created to highlight that schools in need of improvement are a priority to our organization. The NJEA Priority Schools Initiative has been transformed to the NJEA ACCESS Model, a community collective for equitable and sustainable schools.

What We Do

The NJEA ACCESS model provides professional development to schools through shared leadership by analyzing data and setting goals in a collaborative environment. Once administrators and staff create a Leadership Team with a diverse representation of teachers, NJEA consultants help the school meet their school achievement goals. We are a union-based support program for teachers and schools. We are not a state or district accountability program.

A.C.C.E.S.S. Programs in Schools

Middle school students discuss banned books list

December 15, 2025

Eighth grade students at Beck Middle School in Cherry Hill, New Jersey sat in rapt attention listening to Media Specialist Liz Stern discuss the sensitive topic of books that have

Opening minds, building community

November 13, 2025

Trenton Schools celebrate literacy through love and access First-grader Trinity from Paul Robeson School in Trenton pauses at a table filled with colorful books. Her eyes scan the titles—then lower.

ACCESS model uses talking circles to strengthen community

October 20, 2025

by Louis Guglielmo Inside classrooms across New Jersey, a quiet transformation is taking place. Students are rearranging desks, teachers are sitting shoulder to shoulder with their students, and ancient practices

NJEA ACCESS celebrates end of school year

June 20, 2024

The NJEA ACCESS Model was created as a support system for schools designated as priority and focus schools under the No Child Left Behind Act. ACCESS stands for A Community

NJEA ACCESS provides ACEs Training at Camden’s Catto Community School

June 12, 2024

The NJEA ACCESS program provided ACEs training at Camden’s Catto Community School on May 15. ACE stands for Adverse Childhood Experiences. The ACE Study confirms, with scientific evidence, that adversity

What Can Schools Expect From Us?

One consultant will be assigned to each building. They will plan school visits: year one, (8) times a month; year two, (6) times a month; year three, (4) times a month;

  • Support in developing a common language about planning, classroom instruction assessment and healing centered engagement.;
  • Teacher Leadership development;
  • Resources: assistance in writing grants, book donations, community connections;
  • Assistance with engaging parents;
  •  Facilitating PLCs and workshops, major models of job-embedded PD;
  • School-wide support in maintaining a relationship between the teachers, administrators and the local union; and
  • Statewide conferences with expert speakers on a variety of topics.

What Do We Expect From the Schools?

  • A commitment from administrators and teachers to engage as active learners during the five-year program;
  • A commitment from administrators and teachers to improve the learning culture in your school to lead to results-driven professional learning;
  • Development and sustained support of a leadership team;
  • Goal-setting three goals based on student, staff and parent needs;
  • Acceptance of our consultant as a facilitator of professional development;
  • Time for PLCs to meet during the school day around topics based on school goals; and
  • Attendance/participation at the August program orientation and at least two other Saturday conferences offered by the program.

Contact Us

For questions about A.C.C.E.S.S., contact Amanda Adams or Kimeisha Boyd below.