|
|
| Profiles in Education: NJDOC Teachers Explain Why They Prefer that Their Students are Offenders |
| By John Cokos, New Jersey Department of Corrections |
| Published: 05/06/2019 |
It wasn’t that long ago that Takesha Reed was teaching computer skills to businessmen. Her students were middle-aged professionals looking for supplemental skills to enhance already established careers. Today, Reed no longer uses laptops, Power Point presentations or projectors to teach. Her classroom is now an enclosed area of a restrictive housing unit at a state prison. Her students are inmates. Reed’s mission is to prepare members of the New Jersey Department of Corrections offender population to earn the equivalency of a high school diploma while incarcerated. Why would Reed choose to make such a drastic career change? “It’s more rewarding than the job I did before,” said Reed, an educator at Albert C. Wagner Youth Correctional Facility. “When you help an inmate get a high school diploma or reach any number of educational milestones, the sense of accomplishment for the student and the educator is overwhelming. You help that person realize that he can turn his life around – that he didn’t just make a bad life choice and waste a lot of time.” A restrictive housing unit can be a challenging environment for teaching, since inmates are only there temporarily. Nonetheless, Reed does everything in her power to maximize learning during the time she has and actually feels that teaching without technology can be an advantage. “There is more writing and more hands-on learning without technology available as a crutch,” Reed said. “I’ll say, ‘Let’s talk about this,’ and I’ll try to draw students in and get them to feel like they need to know more.” As students transition out of the restrictive housing unit and into the more traditional classrooms available at the prison, Reed reports their academic progress so they can continue on at the appropriate level. “Many of the students I had in restrictive housing earned high school diplomas, and many others have begun college courses as well,” Reed said. About 50 miles north of where Reed works, 36-year-old Jason Urbanski is an educator at Northern State Prison. Encouraged in his career choice by his grandmother, who was a mentor to him and who had a successful 40-year career in education, Urbanski also transitioned from teaching in a traditional classroom environment to a prison setting. “I’ve always liked working with focused groups of students who may not be mainstream,” Urbanski said. Urbanski has taught at public schools and charter schools and worked for not-for-profit groups that specialize in building career readiness and social and emotional skills for students in various schools districts. “The students I work with now have all kinds of educational needs, many with limited or interrupted educational backgrounds,” he said. “My hope is that I can help these students get their high school diplomas and give them a really good shot at a successful experience when they get out of prison.” After working with inmates for several years, Urbanski has identified a common advantage inmates have over traditional students. “In a traditional middle school or high school setting, you have to help students make that connection as to why education is so important to them,” Urbanski said. “Adult learners in a prison setting often see that value, and when they do, they’re onboard. Once that drive to learn is in motion, and it’s matched by the drive as a teacher to teach, it’s the perfect pairing for success.” Every day brings new challenges for many of Urbanski’s students. However, he reassures them that regardless of what else is going on in their lives, they’ve made a worthwhile choice that day just by showing up to class. “Recently, I was working with a gentleman for about three months who moved on to the next level of classes, then earned his diploma. I was able to hire him as one of my teaching assistants,” Urbanski said. “We hung his diploma on the wall so other students could see it and be inspired to strive for the same goals.” In addition to academic programs, the NJDOC offers a variety of vocational endeavors. One, the Mates Inn culinary arts program, provides a wide-ranging culinary education and the opportunity to learn in a real-world environment. Chef Dora Dunn, one of the program’s instructors, has been a food critic and a feature writer and has taught culinary arts in a college setting. Dunn sees her current job as an opportunity to share her knowledge and improve the lives of inmates under her instruction. “I feel we all should do what we can to tend to those who need us the most,” Dunn said. “This is what I have to offer, and this is what I do best.” The lessons that take place in Dunn’s kitchen go beyond simply learning how to cook. “Even if some of my students decide not to work in the restaurant business or never learn how to properly scramble an egg, they will leave with a better appreciation of the teamwork, self-respect, respect for others and work ethic needed to survive in life.” Jecrois Jean-Baptiste has been monitoring the progress of NJDOC educational programs since he became director of the Department’s Office of Educational Services in 2011, noting some very positive statistics. Since 2010, high school equivalency passing rates within the offender population have risen 13 percent, along with a significant increase in reading ability. Additionally, enrollment in academic and vocational programs continues to grow as wait lists to get into educational programs shrink. “These data points summarize how hard work and a collaborative process have synthesized into developing correctional education within the State of New Jersey into a national model,” Jean-Baptiste said. Educators like Dora Dunn, Jason Urbanski and Takesha Reed continue to serve as instructors and mentors to the incarcerated population and are a driving force behind the Department’s progress. “Successful NJDOC educators need to be resilient in their teaching methodology in order to address the needs of a multi-age classroom with varied learning needs,” said Jean-Baptiste. “They must understand how their teaching can have a major impact in making both the facility and the community a safer place. They must empathize with those incarcerated, who will come to understand that school is no longer a place that symbolizes failure. The NJDOC educator plays a significant role in helping the incarcerated population to take advantage of their last chance to break the cycle of incarceration.” NJDOC EDUCATIONAL SERVICES DATA POINTS High School Equivalency Passing Rate 2010 - 65% (6th-7th Grade Reading Level) 2018 - 78% (11th-12th Grade Reading Level) Waiting List for Academic Programs 2010 - 956 2018 - 542 Enrollment into Degree-Bearing Programs (A.A. and B.A.) 2013 - 315 2018 - 504 John Cokos, a former Navy Mass Communication Specialist, began working for the New Jersey Department of Corrections’ Office of Public Information in May 2018. |
Comments:
Login to let us know what you think
MARKETPLACE search vendors | advanced search
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
|
The only thing that can be done is to change the perspective of it and find new things to relieve stress and fatigue. the impossible quiz
Premium quality Translations is a reliable Book translation Agency provide reliable and reputable translations service at affordable budget in New York USA. You can contact us at our online website
This is very useful, although it will be important to help simply click that web page link: best CBD cream for arthritis pain
I am so happy to see this post because all the details are very interesting in this post. Yosoo-Health-Gear Coupon
Packers and Movers in Botad Packers and Movers in Bhind Packers and Movers in Bhandara Packers and Movers in Betul Packers and Movers in Barwani
Glad to visit your blog. I will surely come back every time a new post is published. Keep up the good work that you are doing. canvas tarp
Initial You got a awesome blog .I determination be involved in plus uniform minutes. i view you got truly very functional matters , i determination be always checking your blog blesss. tingsrätt
You ought to basically fantastic not to mention solid advice, which means notice: https://royalcbd.com/
Online Singapore Translation Services is the most credible online translation help providing company in Singapore.Here, you can easily translate your documents instantly into desired languages.
In every relationship, you must know how to ignore your ego and empathize with others to consider everything. Thank you for listening! FIREBOY AND WATERGIRL
Thank you so much for sharing such useful and interesting information. Your website is highly effective and contains worthy content. canvas tarps - whiteduckoutdoors.com
Provide the Assignment Help online support service. Expert writers of US assignment who will help you by providing good high-quality essay help and other assignment assistance services. Presentation Assignment Help
This was very useful and well explained blog. I have already saved your site in my favorite list so that I could easily access it anytime and anywhere I want! home equity loan Billings montana
I hope that there will be miracles, heal the broken heart is crying and sad. The sky is still divided night light right then we broke up already, so our love circle is like that. walmart near me
We have a year of the best experience in tutoring and providing to the student of the USA and most of our assignments help students are having professional experience in their respective fields. Lab report writing service
This is such a great resource that you are Sugar mummy in Kenya providing and you give it away for free. It Is Useful and helpful for me That I like it very much, and I am looking forward to Hearing from your next.
Today we do almost office wok, education-related work, and other so many works on the internet. So the internet is good as well as harmful if untill use with protection. We must use a VPN to protect our system and information from hackers and online threats. Using it we can stay anonymous while using the internet, so you can buy a Best VPN offers
I love how concerned you are to your readers by sharing these useful and insightful information. Thank you and hopefully you continue your greatness coming. ketogenic diet
status in hindi
After reading carefully i guess this is a incredible post in education era. thanks for sharing this great post. Kitchen and Bath design Tampa Florida
I liked the way you write this recipe in a simple manner. I am a food lover and blogger. I will definitely try this recipe for my wife. Hope she will like it on her upcoming birthday. kathal ki sabji sabji recipe in hindi
I don't have enough words to praise your blog, I'm truly impressed from this and wanna see more on this soon. Thank your and keep sharing. how to speak to and pick up women
So it is interesting and very good written and see what they think about other people. micropenis
The advantages of this method of Biometric Attendance Dubai are numerous. The technology used is cheap and efficient. You don't need to call in a fake person to do the checking for you don't need to spend money on fees for fingerprinting machines. All you need is an Internet connection and you are all set.
I work with PhD dissertation writing services now have all kinds of educational needs, many with limited or interrupted educational backgrounds.
It's a great work. Teacher’s best work makes a good environment and discipline of the school and college. Thanks for sharing a valuable thought with us. Photo booth rental
Wow. I appreciate author thinking.It's very important that what is doing students in real life for their futures and how teachers take care of them from home to school.Home Exchange
Seriously this is one of the most inspiring article I read online! I always learned something new everytime I visit here. 12 volt fridge
Criminology Writing Services has become a significant challenge owing to the complexity of these Custom Criminology Essay Writing Services and in other cases lack of time and knowledge needed to complete Criminology Research Paper Writing Services.
When students seek our Online Biology Writing Services from us, they are assured to receive Custom Biology Writing Services that meets all their writing needs and Legit Biology Writing Services one that has been written following all the instructions.
Through our experts, we offer all kinds of Agriculture Writing Services Online and Agriculture Studies Writing Services to suit the need of every student when they are given any Agriculture Coursework Writing Services.
It is undisputed that Custom Accounting Writing Services pose challenges for students because preparation takes into consideration a lot of details needed for Professional Accounting Writing Services and in-depth knowledge on the topic in order to come up with a Perfect Accounting Custom Term Paper.
Any student placing Actuarial Science Research Paper and Actuarial Science Coursework Writing Services order with our custom writing company is assured of receiving Custom Actuarial Science Writing Services that is 100% unique.
Thanks for a very interesting blog. What else may I get that kind of info written in such a perfect approach? I’ve a undertaking that I am simply now operating on, and I have been at the look out for such info. power washing services
Thanks for a very interesting blog. What else may I get that kind of info written in such a perfect approach? I’ve a undertaking that I am simply now operating on, and I have been at the look out for such info. commercial water filtration
Great content with great information thanks also the travel is my love and here is that webiste tripocio
My offer provided by the offer is my most popular support service offered to the USA tutor. My professional assignments are well qualified to cater to the educational content for our clients. HRM Dissertation Help
The latest topic you have discussed here was very informative and I am so happy that I read it. Thanks for the great effort in posting this. outsourced server support
I really appreciate this wonderful post that you have provided for us. I assure this would be beneficial for most of the people. Thanks for sharing the information keep updating, looking forward to more posts. High Quality Adult Images
I've been looking for fantastic blogs online for quite a long time and your post is the answer to my search. Thank you so much and please keep up the great work. acupuncture physician west palm beach
I am contented of this facts and the points in this posting is really cool what is ulcerative colitis
mechanical,electrical & plumbing consulting services & precast panel detailing services
This is an fantastic information and data and really helpful topic right here ali inpsector
Awesome post, all of your great insights here are very valuable. Thank you also for sharing such a broad selection of tips and advice. essential oils for UC nausea
I am truly grateful with your kindness in sharing this wonderful article. This is truly the kind of article which I love to read, thank you and keep it up! what is the keto diet
Thanks for sharing freely this cool and valuable blog content to us all. I really appreciate all your effort for this. febre em bebe
For many people this is the best solution here see how to do it. charter.net email login
I am really lucky to have a chance to visit your excellent article. Thank you for producing useful, informative, and easy to follow tips! how to get a hot girl
The most interesting text on this interesting topic that can be found on the net ... sync law tech
This is one of the most precious and valuable moment I spent reading on a certain article. This is by far one of the most worthy website I've visited. tax business marketing
Interesting and amazing how your post is! It Is Useful and helpful for me That I like it very much, and I am looking forward to Hearing from your next.. Holm Law Group San Diego
I have a similar interest this is my page read everything carefully and let me know what you think. itsäkerhet
I really love reading all your articles. I don't know why but I feel boosted after reading your blog and I really that feelings maybe it's because of your catchy and inspiring content. roof top ten
I am so happy that I could learn some useful resources from your blog. And I am so thankful for your time and effort to produce this quality post. Social Security Disability Attorneys Missoula
I've proper selected to build a blog, which I hold been deficient to do for a during. Acknowledges for this inform, it's really serviceable! Walmart One
What a solid and extremely helpful article! Thanks for offering such an extremely wonderful blog post! it support seattle
Your weblog site provided us wonderful important facts thanks a lot buy chicken egg cartons
Awesome and precious and wonderful site here thanks for shared this Male Extra Male Enhancement
Very thorough article, really useful to me. Thank you for increasing my knowledge. cbd for ulcerative colitis
The best article I came across a number of years, write something about it on this page. Best Aeron Chair Headrest
Brisbane SEO This was really an interesting topic and I kinda agree with what you have mentioned here!
Great article thanks!! Jake @ Piano moving company Erie
Profit primarily prime quality items -- you can understand them all within: psychic mediums in surrey
You guys do a good job in sharing this incredible post. Thanks and keep it up! graco four in one car seats
Primary factor while choosing an easy to use subscription management software first think is to consider if the software automates you billing and subscription process.
Hurray - Helps in scoring high band score in IELTS test, both in academic and general module of IELTS test. ielts online training online pte course Best pte training center Study in Australia Study in Ireland
Get coursework writing help from professional writers at coursework online, a reliable and best coursework writing service supporting students to ace their projects.
I feel really happy to have visit your webpage and look forward for more entertaining times reading here. tax business marketing
Nice to read your article. Keep it up. Sushant Travels Tour package of Rajasthan
I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article. I am hoping the same best work from you in the future as well.. White Noise Generator
Interestingly you write, I will address you'll find exciting and interesting things on similar topics. washer dryer repair
Connected Retail - It's a customer experience platform to share news, updates, and more from Connected Retail in India. Connected Retail Solutions,omnichannel retail
If you are looking for Digital Marketing Company. Connect with SEO Company Gurgaon. We are the leading digital marketing company in Gurgaon, India. We have experts team for Digital Marketing.
Really nice and unique blog, cbd for ulcerative colitis thank you for sharing.
This post such the most precious and tips you've done is really attractive concepts right here Male Extra
Nice to read your article. Techasoft mobile app development company in bangalore SEO services company in Bangalore
I think this is one of the most vital information for me. And i’m glad reading your article. click here
I was so inspired by your weblog and really good and awesome you perform here addiction treatment auckland
http://68.183.234.248/ http://www.prediktorbola.net/live-score/ http://www.bioskopdunia.com/
Agen Bandarq livescore Nonton Movie
Corrections of the news agency have been formed for the opinion setting for the readers. The approve the setting and education articles is charged for the readers.
Nice work text i think
Amazing and important data here I love the style of this website treatment for ulcerative colitis
This precious nice and data and really inspired web page keep up the amazing perform buy chicken egg incubators
Amazing perform and you offer here an important tips shopify inspector tools
عطر مردانه ژک ساف عطر زنانه ژک ساف عطر مردانه اجمل عطر زنانه اجمل عطر مردانه بلو شنل
This is the most rewarding type of teaching. Anything where you can help someone who really wants it like a prisoner is critically important. Thanks for sharing this important information with us. Hamilton Lindley
I think this is one of the best blogs for me because this is really helpful for me. Thanks for sharing this valuable information for free fireboy and watergirl
It means that now any CBSE schools will not forward or entertain the expository essay topics about education for condonation of attendance below 60 percent in Class IX & XI. This includes 75 percent separate attendance in the practical classes wherever applicable. In those cases where students are not regularly attending the schools for various different reasons whatsoever may be, the rule position of the Board must be brought to their notice in writing