For Immediate Release

CONTACT

Tracy S. Weeks, Ph.D.
Executive Director
SETDA
202-715-6636 x700
[email protected]

Students Honors New Jersey’s Northfield Community Middle School Address
National Education Leaders in Washington D.C.

October 18, 2016 (Washington, D.C.) – SETDA, the principal membership association representing U.S. state and territorial digital learning leaders, honored Northfield Community Middle School (NCMS) from Northfield, New Jersey as the winner of the 2016 Student Voices Award. NCMS students addressed over 200 members of the Education Forum audience at SETDA’s annual Leadership Summit. The Education Forum shines a spotlight on the full scope of the digital transformation of policy and practice underway in K-12 education.

The middle school students presented examples of ways that technology has dramatically improved their educational experiences to an audience of state leaders from over 40 state departments and guests from national education organizations, the U.S. Department of Education, policy makers and corporate partners.

For the past nine years, SETDA has honored one school annually across the USA; this is the first time a New Jersey school has received the award.

New Jersey Department of Education’s Acting Commissioner Kimberley Harrington made brief remarks and introduced the students. “I congratulate educators, students and families of Northfield Community Middle School for this award and for having the courage to expand the vision of a student’s school day,” shared Acting Commissioner Harrington. “The school has created student-focused and real-world learning opportunities and serves as a model for schools across the country who are seeking ways to provide educational experiences that meet the current and future needs of their students,” added Harrington.

“SETDA is proud to share innovative, deeper learning experiences with our members and guests from across the country,” stated Dr. Tracy Weeks, Executive Director, SETDA. “Leaders can learn from Northfield’s example of changing learning environments and potentially replicate the ideas of the program in other states.”

Northfield’s Principal Glenn Robbins shared, “We are very thankful to not only be the recipient of the SETDA Student Voices Award, but also for being given the opportunity to share the innovative practices that our students thrive in. Thanks to SETDA, our students are given a true platform to demonstrate how working in a creative culture amplifies their desire to take ownership in their learning.”

Northfield Presenters Included:

• Becky  Brown             Student
• Giselle Obergfell        Student
• Aryan  Preetom         Student
• Glenn  Robbins          Principal

Learn more about the Student Voices award and past winners here: https://www.setda.org/about/awards/

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About SETDA

The State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA), founded in 2001, is the national non-profit association representing the interests of U.S. state and territorial educational technology leadership. SETDA’s mission is to build and increase the capacity of state and national leaders to improve education through technology policy and practice. For more information the Student Voices, visit: https://www.setda.org/about/awards/student-voices/