The Essex County School Boards Association (ECSBA) held its final meeting of the school year last month at the Glen Ridge Country Club. ECSBA President Reginald Bledsoe, from the Essex County Schools of Technology Board of Education, called the meeting to order and welcomed both in-person and virtual attendees.

He introduced Assemblywoman Carmen Theresa Morales, representing New Jersey’s 34th District, who offered greetings and presented citations from the New Jersey Assembly to all the honorees.

group of people posing with an award
The Essex County SBA Executive Committee, along with members from the Newark Board of Education, congratulated El Houcin Houssam on being named Essex County Teacher of the Year. Pictured (from left to right) are: Benjamin Morse, NJSBA Board of Directors Delegate; Kasey Dudley, NJSBA Board of Education Alternate; Assemblywoman Carmen Teresa Morales; Louis Maisonave, Jr., Newark Board Member; Helena Vinhas, Newark Board Member; Roger Leon, Newark Public Schools Superintendent; Kanileah Anderson, Newark Board Member; Josephine Garcia, Newark Board Member; Houssam; Valerie Wilson, Newark Public Schools business administrator; Reginald Bledsoe, ECSBA president; and Shawneque Johnson, ECSBA 1st vice president.

El Houcin Houssam, a high school math teacher from West Side High School in the Newark School District, was named Essex County Teacher of the Year for 2024-25. Houssam delivered an impressive presentation sharing his experiences as a teacher in an urban school district.

group of people posing with an award
The Essex County SBA Executive Committee expressed gratitude to Charlene Peterson, the outgoing NJSBA field service representative, for her 12 years of service. Pictured (from left to right) are: Benjamin Morse, NJSBA Board of Directors delegate; Kasey Dudley, NJSBA Board of Education Alternate; Peterson; Reginald Bledsoe, ECSBA president; Shawneque Johnson, ECSBA 1st vice president; and Josephine Garcia, ECSBA immediate past president.

Jonathan Pushman, senior director of advocacy at the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA), provided an update from the NJSBA Advocacy Team, while Jeanne Cleary, a field service representative at NJSBA, shared insights from the field service team. Charlene Peterson, a retiring senior field service representative, delivered farewell remarks to the members of Essex County, thanking them for their partnership during her twelve years at the NJSBA.

Robert Acerra, the county activities coordinator at NJSBA, presented milestone awards and acknowledged the achievements of board of education members in Essex County. This year, thirteen board members were recognized for their collective 190 years of service to their communities.

The following board members were honored:

New Board Member Boardsmanship Certification

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**New Board Member Boardsmanship Certification**: Pictured (from left to right) are: Jeanne Cleary, NJSBA field service representative; Reginald Bledsoe, ECSBA president; Fang Gong, Livingston Board member; Kanileah Anderson, Newark Board member; Shawneque Johnson, ECSBA 1st vice president; Charlene Peterson, NJSBA field service representative; Kasey Dudley, ECSBA Executive Committee member; Viviana Rojas, Bloomfield Board member; Benjamin Morse, ECSBA Executive Committee member; and Terri DiMartini-Greenlee, Caldwell-West Caldwell Board member.
  • Kaniheah Anderson, Newark
  • Elizabeth Callahan, South Orange-Maplewood
  • Terri DiMartini-Greenlee, Caldwell-West Caldwell
  • Fang Gong, Livingston
  • William Meyer, South Orange-Maplewood
  • Viviana Rojas, Bloomfield

Certified Board Member Certification

group of people posing with an award
**Certified Board Member Certification**: Pictured (from left to right) are: Jeanne Cleary, NJSBA field service representative; Reginald Bledsoe, ECSBA president; Charlene Peterson, NJSBA field service representative; Kasey Dudley, Bloomfield Board member; Shawneque Johnson, ECSBA 1st vice president; and Benjamin Morse, ECSBA Executive Committee member.
  • Kasey Dudley, Bloomfield
  • Brian Rock, West Orange

Master Board Member Certification

  • Pamela Chirls, Livingston
  • Kasey Dudley, Bloomfield
  • Josephine Garcia, Newark

Certified Board Leader Certification

  • Reginald Bledsoe, Essex County Schools of Technology
  • Pamela Chirls, Livingston
  • Hasani Council, Newark
  • Josephine Garcia, Newark

10-Year Milestone Awards

  • Christopher D’Ambola, Caldwell-West Caldwell
  • Salvatore Ferraro, Nutley
  • Michael Heller, Bloomfield
  • Audrey Lyon, Irvington
  • Dr. Chris Pernell, Essex County Schools of Technology
  • Jeffery Wingfield, Orange
  • Dr. Heather Yaros-Ramos, Glen Ridge

15-Year Milestone Awards

group of people posing with an award
Lisa Danchak-Martin from the Nutley Board of Education was congratulated for her 15 years of service. Pictured (from left to right) are: Jeanne Cleary, NJSBA field service representative; Shawneque Johnson, ECSBA 1st vice president; Benjamin Morse, ECSBA Executive Committee member; Reginald Bledsoe, ECSBA president; Charlene Peterson, NJSBA field service representative; Danchak-Martin; and Kasey Dudley, ECSBA Executive Committee member.
  • Lisa Danchak-Martin, Nutley
  • Lee Sandra Medina, Essex County Schools of Technology
  • Joseph Sylvain, Irvington

20-Year Milestone Awards

group of people posing with an award
Deborah Sacco-Calderone, president of the West Essex Regional Board of Education, was recognized for her 20 years of service. Pictured (from left to right) are: Reginald Bledsoe, ECSBA president; Shawneque Johnson, ECSBA 1st vice president; Kasey Dudley, ECSBA Executive Committee member; Charlene Peterson, NJSBA field service representative; Benjamin Morse, ECSBA Executive Committee member; Sacco-Calderone; and Jeanne Cleary, NJSBA field service representative.
  • Deborah Sacco-Calderone, West Essex Regional

25-Year Milestone Awards

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Elisabeth “Betsy” Ginsburg, president of the Glen Ridge Board of Education, was honored for her 25 years of service. Pictured (from left to right) are: Reginald Bledsoe, ECSBA president; Shawneque Johnson, ECSBA 1st vice president; Charlene Peterson, NJSBA field service representative; Kasey Dudley, ECSBA Executive Committee member; Ginsburg; Benjamin Morse, ECSBA Executive Committee member; and Jeanne Cleary, NJSBA field service representative.
  • Elisabeth “Betsy” Ginsburg, Glen Ridge

30-Year Milestone Awards

  • Charles W. Kucinski, Jr., Nutley

Josephine Garcia, chair of the Essex County SBA Nominating Committee, presented the slate for the 2025-27 Essex County SBA officers, which includes:

  • Reginald Bledsoe (Essex County Schools of Technology) – President
  • Shawneque Johnson (Orange) – 1st Vice President
  • Hasani Council (Newark) – 2nd Vice President for Legislation

Medinah E. Muhammad (East Orange) submitted her intent to run from the floor for the position of 1st Vice President. Josephine Garcia and Robert Acerra conducted the elections and Garcia announced that Medinah E. Muhammad was the successful candidate for the 1st Vice President position. Acerra administered the oath of office to Bledsoe, Muhammad, and Council. President Reginald Bledsoe concluded the meeting by sharing some final remarks.