The NJEA Bolivar L. Graham Apprentice Program develops members into powerful organizers, advocates and leaders for public education. Established in 1989, the program provides participants with the knowledge, skills and hands-on experiences needed to pursue leadership and governance roles within NJEA, while exploring future opportunities to serve the association. Through a structured two-year experience, apprentices participate in mentorship, leadership development, conferences, training opportunities and organizing work, designed to strengthen the union and advance public education.
Named for Bolivar L. Graham, a respected NJEA leader and staff member who championed the inclusion and advancement of women and ethnic minorities within the association, the program continues to help prepare a diverse new generation of leaders and makes up a key component of the NJEA’s Social and Racial Justice Institute.
ALLISON CAPONE is a gifted and talented/enrichment teacher at Point Road School in Little Silver and co-president of the Little Silver Education Association. She will apprentice with the UniServ Division in the Central
Zone under Field Representative Tracie Yostpille.
WALESKA “WALLY” BATISTA-ARIAS is president of the Cherry Hill Education Association and a 24-year NJEA member. Batista-Arias will apprentice with the Research and Economic Services Division under Associate Director Michael Salerno.
NICOLE BACKLUND is an art educator at the Ninth-Grade Academy in Trenton and an active leader in the Trenton Education Association. Backlund will apprentice with the Professional Development & Instructional Issues Division under Associate Director Dawn Howlen.
EBONY FREEMAN is a ninth-grade English language arts teacher at Pennsauken High School and high school vice president of the Pennsauken Education Association. Freeman will apprentice with the Human & Civil Rights, Equity and Governance Division under Associate Directors Cindy Matute-Brown and Dr. Daquan Bashir.
MELISSA FOREMNY is an educator in the Pemberton Township School District and a longtime leader in the Pemberton Township Education Association and the Burlington County Education Association. She will apprentice with the UniServ Division in the Southern Zone under Field Representative Jim Boice.
MALISSA RIDLEY is a special education teacher at Dr. J.P. Cleary Elementary School and an association representative for the Buena Regional Education Association. Ridley will apprentice with the Government Relations Member Organizing/Organizational Development Division under Field Representative Eric Jones.
TRACY SWAIN is a learning disabilities teacher-consultant at Flocktown Kossmann Elementary School and an active member of the Washington Township Education Association in Morris County. She will apprentice with the UniServ Division in the Northwest Zone under Field Representative Antoinette Blaustein.
VALDERY VALENCIA is a district technology specialist for the Neptune Township School District and web manager for the Neptune Township Education Association. She will apprentice with the Communications Division under Associate Director Matthew Stagliano.
LA-SHAY WILSON is a special education teacher with Jersey City Public Schools and an active member of the Jersey City Education Association and the Hudson County Education Association. She will apprentice with the Government Relations Policy and Politics Division under Associate Director Aaron McClendon.