NJASECD recently welcomed Doug Stech as our new Coordinator for the North Region of NJASECD, and a Board member of the organization. Doug joins us from Woodmont Elementary School in Montville Township, where he is the school counselor and helped to lead efforts resulting in the school’s recognition as a New Jersey and National School of Character in both 2016 and 2021. He has also served as a State and National evaluator of schools and districts applying for School of Character recognition since 2017. Montville Township’s success in having multiple Schools of Character and the district’s recognition as a District of Character also makes Montville an excellent location to host NJASECD’s work in the North Region.
Doug hosted his first outreach event on behalf of NJASECD on June 2! This was a networking and professional development meeting open to all interested schools and educators in the region. A fun art activity served as the platform for engagement and discussion! Those in attendance each completed a personal values inventory, and then decorated a rock to represent on cherished value. Participants were then asked to keep this rock on their desk this coming school year, to remind them that their core values are the “rock” that drives their work, provides deep intrinsic reward, and causes stress for us when unfulfilled. The group also discussed ways interested schools can network through NJASECD this year. Please reach out to Doug at douglas.stech@montville.net to connect and learn more!
