Robert Acerra, who has been involved with the New Jersey PTA for more than 15 years, has joined the New Jersey School Boards Association as lead coordinator, county activities, northern region.
In his position, he will provide leadership development through regional programming to local board of education members, focusing on the northern part of the state.
“Rob is no stranger to NJSBA, having worked alongside of our organization for many years,” said Dr. Timothy Purnell, executive director of NJSBA. “We are thrilled that someone of his caliber will be putting his talents to work to help board members advance student achievement and operate their districts efficiently.”
Acerra said he’s excited to be working with county leaders and members throughout the northern part of the state. “I have had a great opportunity to collaborate with the leaders and staff of NJSBA for many years. Working deep in the field with our members and leaders is an exciting next step in my professional life,” he said. “From the first time I had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Lawrence S. Feinsod (NJSBA’s former executive director) and Ray Pinney (the Association’s director of county activities and member engagement) back in 2012, I knew NJSBA was a special place with an amazing staff.”
Acerra’s duties will include:
- Working with county school board association officers to plan and coordinate programs.
- Presenting and/or moderating programs.
- Serving as a direct contact with educators, trainers and other officials who serve as presenters at county meetings.
- Coordinating county/regional legislative forums and serving as the direct contact with local legislators.
- Identifying training topics and developing programming.
More about Acerra
Acerra, a longtime New Jersey PTA board member, including president-elect, vice president of leadership development, state secretary and state treasurer, pivoted to the staff role of director of member and board services in March 2020, where he worked until joining NJSBA. Previously, he was a substitute teacher with the Atlantic Highlands School District and Ocean Township School District in Monmouth County.
His tenure with the New Jersey PTA dates back to 2004, when he got his start as a student representative while he was a first-year student attending Ocean Township High School. He also served as a board member for the National PTA board of directors from 2011 to 2013. He earned a Bachelor of Social Work from Monmouth University in 2013.
He also ran the LEE Group (Leaders in Educational Excellence Group), collaborating with educational partners throughout the state, including NJSBA, the New Jersey Education Association, the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials, the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association and the New Jersey Department of Education. His contributions earned him a New Jersey PTA Honorary Life Membership and a National PTA Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award.
Acerra also served as district administrator of Kiwanis’s Key Club in New Jersey, which is the nation’s largest student-led service organization with over 10,000 members in the state. He has been involved in Kiwanis since 2004, serving in a variety of roles. He is also a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians, studying to become a registered parliamentarian, currently serving as the parliamentarian for the Pennsylvania State PTA.