Message from the President

Dear NJTESOL/NJBE Executive Board and Membership,

It is my privilege to introduce myself in the capacity of NJTESOL/NJBE President. I have had the honor to serve on our executive board since 2021, first as Secretary and then as Vice President. In addition to occupying these officer positions, I have been given the opportunity to chair the Professional Learning Community committee and the Spring Conference committee.

As a former multilingual student I am personally connected to the community of educators and learners we serve as an organization. My journey in education started as a Bilingual and Bicultural elementary school teacher in 2016. Then, I transitioned out of the classroom as an ELL Program Specialist, and eventually, a Supervisor of ESL Programs. Throughout all these experiences, I have learned the value of creating spaces where all stakeholders have the opportunity to grow and have their voices heard. It is with that in mind that I share my goals for the next two years as the president of this organization:

To develop a mentorship program within our membership to identify future leaders within the organization, both for our executive board and for the field of Multilingual Education.
To further the mission of our organization by fostering partnerships with other state and federal organizations to ensure multilingual learners and educators are supported.
To advocate at the state level for policy that supports Multilingual Education and Immigrant Trauma Informed Practices.

I am committed to continuing the work of our past presidents to ensure this organization continues to grow and our multilingual educators and students continue to thrive, no matter the political climate, the challenges ahead, or the difficult conversations that may need to be had.

Looking forward to our partnership,

Cecilia Vila

NJTESOL/NJBE
President

Announcements

Dear Coaches
If you’d like to submit an advice inquiry to the ESL and Bilingual Coaches you may fill out the “Dear Coaches Anonymous Advice Form”.
You can view previous “Dear Coaches” responses here.

Panel Discussion: Building Resilience in the Classroom: Strategies Through the STAHR Framework, Tuesday, June 2, 2026 5:00-7:00 PM
Hosted by NJTESOL/NJBE
This session brings together diverse perspectives and professional expertise to support school communities in addressing immigration-related stress through trauma-informed practices. The focus extends beyond the “whole child” to also include the “whole educator.” Participants will be introduced to the STAHR Framework (Supportive, Trauma-Informed, Approaches, Humanizing, and Resilience), a structured approach designed to support multilingual learners and their families. Grounded in culturally responsive teaching and trauma-informed research, this framework integrates a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to provide practical strategies educators can use across all levels of support. The goal is to ensure student well-being and safety are prioritized throughout the school environment, while also recognizing resilience as a supported, ongoing process rather than a fixed trait.
Administrators, educators, parents, and community members are welcome.
Register on Eventbrite

Message from the Vice-President

Dear NJTESOL/NJBE Executive Board and Membership,

I am excited and honored to officially step into the role of Vice President of NJTESOL/NJBE. As I begin this new leadership position, I will also be stepping away from my role as Elementary ESL Representative with so much gratitude for the experiences and opportunities it has given me.

My name is Jenna Maneri, and I currently serve as a K–12 ESL Coach in the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District. Throughout my career, I have been passionate about advocating for multilingual learners and supporting educators. Last school year, I was also honored to be selected by the New Jersey Department of Education Commissioner, after being recognized by this organization’s Executive Board, to serve on the NJ Literacy Working Group, where I brought a multilingual learner perspective to statewide literacy guidance.

What has always drawn me to NJTESOL/NJBE is our shared commitment to students, educators, and multilingual communities across New Jersey. As Vice President, I hope to continue moving our organization forward by:

Supporting and empowering educators
Keeping multilingual learners at the center of our work
Encouraging collaboration and innovation
Expanding professional learning opportunities
Mentoring and developing future leaders in our field

I am excited for the work ahead and look forward to collaborating with all of you to continue strengthening the impact of NJTESOL/NJBE across New Jersey. It is truly a privilege to serve in this new role.

Thank you,