NJTESOL/NJBE
2023 Scholarships and Awards
Scholarship is one of the core missions of NJTESOL/NJBE. Each year, awards are given in eleven categories to honor the accomplishments of ESL students and teachers. This year, seventeen recipients, listed below, were honored at the annual President’s Reception, held at the New Brunswick Hyatt. Leaders and advocates were also recognized with four Presidential awards. You are welcome to attend the celebration; a registration fee is required.
Please encourage your students to apply for one of these scholarships or awards, and you may apply for the teacher’s grant. Submissions open in January through the NJTESOL/NJBE website. You can review the qualifications at https://njtesol-njbe.org/scholarships/. Be sure to spread the word in your districts.
NJTESOL/NJBE 2023 Presidential Awards
Dr. Elizabeth “BJ” Franks Advocacy Award
Mercer County Educational Association Legislative Action Team
Each year, this award is given to recognize a person or organization in New Jersey that has served as a catalyst for the advancement of the needs and concerns of English learners in our state. MCEA LAT has worked tirelessly to end EdTPA. We at NJTESOL/NJBE recognize that EdTPA was a frustrating and discriminatory obstacle to teacher certification. We are indebted to your team because ending EdTPA was an important step in helping to bring more ESL and bilingual teachers into our schools to support our English learners.
Fred Carrigg Leadership Award
Barbara Tedesco, Llamame LLC
Each year, this award is given to an individual whose work has advanced the concerns of English language learners and immigrant families in our state. Without a doubt, Barbara Tedesco has been a driving force to improve the experiences of our English learners, their families, as well as the members of NJTESOL/NJBE for many years. Barbara’s name is synonymous with excellence and our organization is indebted to Barbara for her work through all of her years on the executive board, especially as a leader, historian, and sunshine representative.
Seal of Biliteracy Superintendent of the Year
Dr. Scott Rocco, Hamilton Township
This award is given to a superintendent in New Jersey who is committed to promoting achievement in biliteracy and specifically the Seal of Biliteracy. Dr. Scott Rocco from Hamilton Township School District strongly supports his district’s Seal of Biliteracy program and highlights students’ Seal of Biliteracy successes on the district’s website. They have had over 554 recipients in at least 16 different languages since 2016.
President’s Award
Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS Immigration Reporter
Camilo, a former ESL student himself, is now the Immigration Reporter for CBS News. He is a three-time Emmy Award winning bilingual reporter who has written countless articles about the plight of immigrants coming to this country, especially of the children who cross the border and the conditions in which they live. In addition, he provides live reports on CBS and has worked with Anderson Cooper and 60 Minutes. Camilo pays it forward by going to school districts to meet with students and staff in districts around New Jersey to share his experiences and motivate English learners to reach for their goals. This is his second year presenting at NJTESOL/NJBE as an invited speaker and is an inspiration to us all.