Education News

Trenton EA members share expertise and passion at the NJEA Convention

By Kimberly Crane

A history of support

NJEA encourages members to share their expertise and passion for public education by presenting at the NJEA Convention each November in Atlantic City. By empowering members to lead workshops, NJEA affirms that some of the most valuable professional learning comes directly from other educators. Member-led presentations highlight innovative practices in real time, foster collaboration and strengthen the shared commitment to public education in New Jersey.

In November 2025, the Trenton Education Association (TEA) continued its strong tradition of professional leadership by sending eight presenters to the convention. Their sessions showcased a deep culture of collaboration, reflection and educator-driven growth.

Natasha T. Agrawal (with Veronique Lambert)

Share Tables: Simple Solutions to Food Waste and Hunger

Agrawal, an ESL teacher at Carroll Robbins Elementary School, co-presented a virtual workshop focused on reducing food waste through “share tables” in school cafeterias. Students place unopened, unwanted food on a designated table for peers or families to take. Drawing from successful practices in her own school, Agrawal emphasized student-centered, sustainable solutions that promote generosity, environmental awareness and community care. “Food waste is a global issue,” she noted. “Online presentations reach educators who cannot attend the convention.”

Nicole A. Backlund

Micrography: Making Art With Words

Backlund, an art specialist at the Ninth Grade Academy, introduced participants to micrography—a technique blending written expression with visual art. Her workshop emphasized creativity over perfection, offering a calm, encouraging space for educators to make art themselves. Backlund was proud to step outside her comfort zone, noting, “With support from my union leadership and Teacher Leadership Academy (TLA) cohort, I felt inspired and confident.”

Alexa G. Borota

Canva Tools for the Modern Secondary Classroom

Borota, an 11th-grade English teacher at Trenton Central High School, demonstrated how Canva’s design tools help create engaging, scaffolded lessons for diverse learners. Stressing that Canva Pro is free for educators, she encouraged participants to begin with simple templates. “I love supporting other teachers,” Borota shared. “Presenting at the convention lets me reach a larger audience.”

Ronnette T. Branham

Breaking Language Barriers

Branham, a second-grade teacher, offered actionable strategies for supporting multilingual learners academically, socially and emotionally. Grounded in real classroom experience, her session encouraged inclusive practices and strong teacher support systems. “Our students are brilliant and resilient. They just need the right support.”

Shakida Faniel

County Teachers of the Year Lemonade Stand

Faniel, a special education teacher at Joyce Kilmer Intermediate School and the 2025 Mercer County Teacher of the Year, described the convention as energizing and unforgettable—especially hearing Malala Yousafzai speak. “The vibe was electrifying,” she said.

Crystal M. Feliciano

Managing Workplace Anxiety

Feliciano, a Teacher Leader at Trenton Central High School, focused on educator well-being, offering practical tools to manage anxiety using approaches rooted in transformational leadership and holistic practice.

Anjanae Haqq, M.Ed.

What Can We Learn From Rwanda? Lots!

Haqq invited participants to explore lessons of resilience, unity, and restorative practice drawn from an educational journey to Rwanda. Grounded in the principle of ubumuntu, which means humanity, her session affirmed educators’ power to model healing and hope.

Preeti H. Shah

Discover Digital Tools

Shah, a special education math teacher, shared accessible digital strategies, particularly through Canva, to enhance learning and save time, reflecting her 15 years of experience in education and computer science.
Together, TEA’s presenters exemplified professional excellence, innovation and community. Their contributions reinforced that some of the most meaningful professional learning comes from educators themselves.
For more information on the Trenton EA presenters, visit njea.org/trentoneapresenters.

Kimberly Crane is an NJEA Communications Consultant and former president of the Highland Park Education Association. She can be reached at kcrane@njea.org.

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