HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (Warren County) — Centenary University and Dover Public Schools recently celebrated a partnership that helped two cohorts of educators earn English as a Second Language certification through Centenary’s New Jersey Department of Education-approved program.
The collaboration provided Dover Public Schools teachers with training in contemporary, evidence-based instructional practices aimed at supporting the growing population of multilingual English learners in New Jersey public schools. University and district officials said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to expanding educational access, strengthening classroom instruction and improving student outcomes.
“It was a pleasure working hand-in-hand with the school district’s dedicated leadership team and talented teachers as the director of this project,” said Lexis McCoy, Ed.D. “These are some of the most outstanding educators I have met. Their commitment to scholarship and how they can apply that learning to their teaching is commendable. As a result, this work is ensuring that more students are gaining access to high-quality educational experiences that will contribute to their success.”
According to the university, Dover Public Schools has made a significant investment in expanding support for multilingual learners. The district now has approximately 36 ESL teachers and 22 bilingual teachers, compared with the one or two ESL teachers commonly found in many school districts. Educators who completed the certification program will either incorporate their new instructional strategies into general education classrooms or serve as ESL teachers providing more individualized support in small-group settings.
“I am proud to work in a district that truly values the professional growth of its educators,” said Angelica Rodriguez, director of Bilingual Education, ESL, and World Languages for Dover Public Schools. “To me, that says everything about Dover’s commitment to our students. When we invest in our teachers, we’re investing in the success of every learner, and partnerships like this help ensure our multilingual students receive the high-quality support they deserve.”
University officials said the partnership demonstrates how collaborations between higher education institutions and public school districts can strengthen educational opportunities for students across New Jersey. By working directly with school districts, Centenary said it continues its mission of preparing educators and educational leaders to meet the changing needs of today’s classrooms.
“The impact of the School of Education at Centenary is measured in transformed K-12 student experience,” said Robert Battistini, Ph.D., senior dean for the School of Education and Humanities at Centenary University. “By working so closely with our Dover peers, Centenary has been able to serve its mission with particular significance and ethical purpose.”
Centenary University offers undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degree programs in education at its Hackettstown campus and at more than 75 professional development sites throughout northern New Jersey. The university said more than 100 principals, superintendents, directors and supervisors, including many principals in Warren County, have earned or are pursuing degrees through Centenary’s education programs.
