Executive Director’s Notes
counsel, develop and adopt by-laws, secure officer and member insurance, figure out our banking and reporting, design our logo, develop our social media presence and draft our vision statement. That all happened within a few months – and at significant time and personal expense for our founders. Now we are the fastest growing professional organization in New
“Great leaders don’t set out to be a leader. They set out to make the difference. It is never about the role - always about the goal.” ― Lisa Haisha Last summer, I was approached by a group of passionate educators and asked if I would consider becoming the Executive Director of a brand-new state-wide organization dedicated to supporting educators in New Jersey. I must admit, I was skeptical at first – after all, didn’t we already
Jersey. But we are not done – to the contrary, we have only just begun.
All through this whirlwind of behind- the-scenes activity, Lisa Haisha’s words reminded me that together we can tackle any and all challenges, while keeping the well-being and achievement of all of our students in mind. After all, isn’t that what
have a myriad of professional organizations in the state with similar goals and visions? I quickly learned why NJAEL was different and why I wanted to be part of this movement. Why, you may ask? What was going to be “different” about this organization? The biggest difference that I
we are all about together? Our roles, locations or experiences do not define us – we are all leaders in our own way and we all have a voice. NJAEL is the vehicle to let all those voices be heard. I hope you will continue to support us and join in the work. Tell your colleagues about us and encourage them to join. They will be combining with the very best minds in our field and will grow professionally while they are making a difference in the lives of their students. Our mission, “to inspire, empower, and transform leaders to drive positive change in their organizations and communities. We are dedicated to cultivating a vibrant network of exceptional leaders who embody integrity, innovation, and inclusivity”, is at the core of all we do. The best is yet to come! Timothy Frederiks, Ed.D.
noticed initially was that this organization was not exclusive based on a job title – rather it welcomed all dedicated educators and professionals regardless of title. From Aspiring Leaders to Retired Educators, from Business Administrators to Athletic Directors, everyone was welcome. The proverbial light went off in my mind as I envisioned the powerful collective of professionals committed to excellence in New Jersey public education. And so, I signed on. Little did I know how quickly this organization would grow and how it has been embraced by like-minded educators of all types. Starting as an idea by our founding trustees, the work began in earnest. We needed to establish our corporate identity, register with the state and the IRS, select legal
NJAEL Leader’s Edge Magazine 7
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