Schools

Warren Board Renews Superintendent's Contract

Tami Crader set for another three years at district's helm.

After being named superintendent of Warren schools in 2010, former Branchburg administrator Tami Crader dove into her new district.

Within months, Dr. Crader had launched several important new intiatives and as her first three-year contract comes to an end, the Innovation and Design program and 21st Century Learning initiatives launched early in her tenure are becoming integrated throughout the district.

She'll be able to continue to expand those efforts—as well as institute the new teacher evaluations and the district's Stategic Plan—after the board of education approved a new three-year contract for Dr. Crader at Monday's meeting.  

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"I am delighted to continue working in Warren with such a fine staff, well-prepared students, and supportive parents," Dr. Crader said. "The Board of Education here in Warren continually demonstrates a commitment to the students in our district."

Dr. Crader said she was very pleased with the district's Innovation and Design program, which combines Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics curriculum with the 21st Century Learning methodology's focus on multi-subject and experiential learning projects.

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"The teachers of this program have been so successful that they were invited to present at this year's New Jersey School Boards conference," Dr. Crader said.

She also said the successful launch of Mandarin Language program at the Middle School was also a point of pride. The program is scheduled to be expanded to all three middle school grades next year.

But perhaps nothing could have as much impact on the district, both for students and teachers, as the 21st Century Learning initiative Dr. Crader pushed for early in her tenure. The initiative began in earnest last year, with teachers trying out the "scenario-based" instruction method to teach collaboration, problem solving and creativity, while solving math-based or language arts challenges.

"I've visited many, many classrooms where teachers have done amazing work with moving the focus away from the teacher to the student as the person in charge of the learning," Dr. Crader said. "We started with 30 teachers in year one and have 30 more this year.  

"Additionally, we have a cadre of teachers from the first cohort who will serve as turnkey trainers to their colleagues next year," she added. "Teachers and students are reporting that the work is challenging but worth it in the end."

When asked what her goals for the next three years are, Dr. Crader said implementing the Strategic Plan—which was also approved at Monday's meeting—was the top priority, as well as complete implementation of the new state-mandated teacher and student evaluation systems.


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